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Coding agents · MCP server

Skillmd: MCP server, setup and security

Skillmd is an open-source MCP server that lets an AI agent search, fetch, lint and install Agent Skills from the SkillMD registry. Its repository has 190 stars and its last commit is from October 20, 2026 and it is licensed under MIT.

Actively maintainedNeeds secretsRemote server

What Skillmd does

According to its repository: “Search, fetch, lint, and install Agent Skills (SKILL.md) from the SkillMD registry.”

An MCP server gives an AI agent extra tools it calls during the conversation: the agent reads their description, decides to use them and gets the result back. Skillmd is listed under Coding agents, a category of 151 servers in the directory, where it ranks #51 by stars.

Topics declared by the repository: agent-skills, ai-agents, claude, cli, lint, sarif.

Installing and connecting Skillmd

Distribution modes declared in the official MCP registry:

  • npm package (Node.js, usually started with npx)
  • remote server (streamable-http): you connect to it by URL, with nothing to install locally

Like any MCP server, you declare it in your client's configuration (Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code, Codex…): a name, the command that starts it or its URL, and any environment variables. The client then starts it and lists its tools. Project language: JavaScript.

The registry lists one secret variable to provide (API key, access token). Keep them in the client's environment variables, never in a shared file or a repository.

Security: what to check

An MCP server runs code with the rights you give it, and the model reads its tool descriptions: a malicious or compromised server can hijack the agent. Read the code, or pick a maintained and widely used server, before connecting it.

Points found for Skillmd:

  • Secrets: the server acts with your credentials. Create a dedicated key with minimum rights and an expiry date.

Good practice: grant only the rights needed (least privilege), require human approval for irreversible actions, and run the AI agent security check.

Project activity and maintenance

Created on August 25, 2026, the skillmds/skillmd repository has 190 stars and 3 forks, with 1 open issues. It has more stars than 77% of the servers in the directory. It received changes this month. Version published in the registry: 1.2.0 (September 13, 2026).

Stars measure attention, not quality: a recent, heavily promoted project can collect them fast, while a useful but niche server will have few.

Serena MCP: the IDE for yourSerena MCP: the IDE for your : 30.7K30.7KRepomixRepomix : 29K29KDesktop CommanderDesktop Commander : 10.1K10.1KOuroborosOuroboros : 6.3K6.3KClaude Code Ultimate GuideClaude Code Ultimate Guide : 6.2K6.2KClaude Code Explorer MCPClaude Code Explorer MCP : 3.4K3.4KArgentArgent : 3.1K3.1KAppllamaAppllama : 3K3KSkillmdSkillmd : 190190
GitHub stars of the most followed servers in the category (log scale); Skillmd in orange. Checked October 25, 2026.

Verdict

Skillmd is a reasonable choice; check the points below before connecting it.

Strengths

  • Active project: recent commit
  • Widely followed: 190 stars
  • Listed in the official MCP registry
  • Usable remotely, without installation
  • Permissive licence (MIT)

Limitations

  • Requires an API key or token

Avoid if…

  • You do not want to give credentials to an agent

Frequently asked questions

How do I install Skillmd?

Skillmd is distributed as npm package (Node.js, usually started with npx) and a remote server. Add it to your client's MCP configuration (Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code…) following the README of skillmds/skillmd.

Is Skillmd free?

The code is published under the MIT licence and can be used free of charge. It needs an API key: the service it connects to may be paid.

Is Skillmd safe?

Points to watch: secrets. Give it minimum rights and approve sensitive actions.

Is it an official server?

It is published in the MCP registry under the verified namespace com.skillmd, which shows the publisher controls that domain.

What are the alternatives to Skillmd?

In the same category: Desktop Commander, Ouroboros, Repomix, and Claude Code Ultimate Guide. Desktop Commander and Ouroboros score higher on our grid.

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Neutrality. No affiliate links. No vendor pays to be reviewed, rated or ranked. Reviews are directed by François Chollet, neutral and factual, and every data point is dated and sourced. How we score