Getting Started with zero-skills
April 25, 2026 · View on GitHub
This directory contains guides for using zero-skills with different AI coding tools.
Choose Your Tool
| Tool | Guide | Skills Support | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claude Code | claude-code-guide.md | Native | Full features, subagents, dynamic context |
| Cursor | cursor-guide.md | Via rules | IDE integration, fast responses |
| GitHub Copilot | copilot-guide.md | Via instructions | VS Code users, inline suggestions |
| Windsurf | windsurf-guide.md | Via rules | IDE integration, Cascade AI |
| Codex | codex-guide.md | Via AGENTS.md | CLI-based agentic coding tasks |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Claude Code | Cursor | Copilot | Windsurf | Codex |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Native skills support | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| YAML frontmatter | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Subagent workflows | Yes | No | No | No | No |
Dynamic context (!cmd) | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Project rules | .claude/ | .cursorrules | .github/ | .windsurfrules | AGENTS.md |
| Auto-load by file type | Yes | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Tool restrictions | Yes | No | No | No | No |
Quick Comparison
Claude Code (Recommended for go-zero)
Pros:
- Native Agent Skills support
- Automatic skill loading
- Subagent workflows (Explore, Plan)
- Dynamic context injection
- Tool restrictions for safety
Cons:
- Requires Claude Code CLI
- Learning curve for advanced features
Best for: Comprehensive go-zero development with full automation.
Cursor
Pros:
- Fast IDE integration
- Good context awareness
- Project-wide rules
- Popular among developers
Cons:
- No native skills support
- Manual context loading
- Rules file can get large
Best for: Developers who prefer IDE-based AI assistance.
GitHub Copilot
Pros:
- Deep VS Code integration
- Inline suggestions
- Widely adopted
- Chat interface
Cons:
- Limited instruction size
- No structured skills
- Manual context management
Best for: VS Code users who want inline go-zero suggestions.
Windsurf
Pros:
- Cascade AI for complex tasks
- Good file context
- Project rules support
Cons:
- No native skills support
- Newer tool, evolving features
Best for: Developers who like Cascade AI's approach.
Codex
Pros:
- CLI-based agentic coding
- Reads
AGENTS.mdautomatically - Good at multi-file tasks
- Backed by OpenAI models
Cons:
- No native skills support
- No automatic skill loading by file type
- Manual file references needed
Best for: Developers who prefer a CLI-based AI coding agent.
Installation Overview
All tools follow a similar pattern:
# 1. Clone zero-skills to your project
git clone https://github.com/zeromicro/zero-skills.git .ai-context/zero-skills
# 2. Configure your tool (see specific guide)
Then configure based on your tool:
| Tool | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Claude Code | Clone to .claude/skills/zero-skills/ |
| Cursor | Reference in .cursorrules |
| Copilot | Reference in .github/copilot-instructions.md |
| Windsurf | Reference in .windsurfrules |
Key Principles (All Tools)
Regardless of which tool you use, these go-zero principles apply:
Always:
- Handler → Logic → Model separation
- Use
httpx.Error()for HTTP errors - Load config with
conf.MustLoad - Pass
ctxthrough all layers - Generate code with
goctl
Never:
- Put business logic in handlers
- Hard-code configuration
- Skip error handling
- Bypass ServiceContext injection
Additional Resources
- SKILL.md - Main skill entry point
- Pattern guides - Detailed patterns
- go-zero docs - Official documentation
- ai-context - Lightweight workflow instructions