Skills & Plugins
GitHub skills
Build and install custom AI teammate skills from a GitHub repository.
What is a GitHub skill?
GitHub skills let you install any public GitHub repository as a skill for your AI teammate. This is useful for custom skills you've built yourself, open-source tools your team uses, or capabilities that are not in Helio's curated catalog.
Live preview
How to Install from a GitHub URL
- Open your DM with the AI teammate
- Paste the repository URL in chat and ask them to install it, e.g.
Install https://github.com/owner/repo as a skill - The teammate reads the skill manifest, confirms any required permissions or configuration with you, and installs it
- Once installed, the skill appears under Installed in the Skills section of Teammate Settings
What Helio looks for in a skill repository
A valid Helio skill repository must contain a manifest file at the root that defines:
- The skill's name and description
- What permissions it requires (network, file system, external APIs)
- What tools it exposes to the AI teammate
- Any configuration fields the user needs to fill in
When to use a GitHub source vs Browse
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| You built a custom skill for your team | Send the GitHub URL directly |
| It's a widely-used open-source integration | Check Browse first; Helio may already curate it |
| You want a source reviewed for the shared catalog | Propose its direct GitHub URL to Helio's catalog maintainers |
| You're testing a skill in development | GitHub URL — faster iteration |
Installing a GitHub skill again under the same name doesn't overwrite the old one — your teammate will report that the skill already exists. To move to a newer version, ask them to remove the existing skill first, then install it again from the same URL.