---
description: |
  [TOPIC] Skills Export Commands
  [DETAILS] The `scitex-dev skills` CLI — `list`, `get`, `export`, `tags-expand` — for managing the source-of-truth-to-export-copy pipeline. Includes the `SCITEX_DEV_SKILLS_DEFAULT_EXPORT_DIR` env override and the rule that exported copies under `~/.claude/skills/scitex/<pip-name>/` must never be edited directly (a pre-tool-use hook blocks such edits).
tags: [scitex-general-interface-skills-export-commands]
---

# Export Commands

```bash
scitex-dev skills list                     # List skills across installed packages
scitex-dev skills get                      # Get content of a skill
scitex-dev skills export                   # Export to default ~/.claude/skills/scitex/<pkg>/
scitex-dev skills collect <DEST>           # Collect to an explicit destination (DEST required)
scitex-dev skills tags-expand <tag>        # Resolve `@skill-tags:` in CLAUDE.md
```

### `export` vs `collect`

Both commands invoke the same `export_skills()` core. They differ only in **how the destination is supplied**:

| Command | Destination | Use when |
|---|---|---|
| `export` | Default `~/.claude/skills/scitex/` (overridable with `--dest` or `SCITEX_DEV_SKILLS_DEFAULT_EXPORT_DIR`) | Routine local refresh — destination implied by environment |
| `collect <DEST>` | **Required positional argument** | CI scripts, project-local exports, alternative roots — make the path explicit |

Examples:

```bash
scitex-dev skills collect .claude/skills/scitex/             # project-local
scitex-dev skills collect ~/.claude/skills/scitex/           # explicit user-scope
scitex-dev skills collect docs/to_claude/skills/scitex/      # bundled docs export
scitex-dev skills collect /tmp/audit-skills --package scitex-writer
```

### `skills export` flags

| Flag | Purpose |
|---|---|
| `--package <name>` | Export only one package |
| `--dest <dir>` | Override export destination |
| `--source <dir>` | Override discovered source location |
| `--link` | Force symlinks (default for editable installs) |
| `--clean` | Remove stale exports before writing |
| `--dry-run` | Print actions without writing |

`SCITEX_DEV_SKILLS_DEFAULT_EXPORT_DIR` env var overrides default export destination.

## Source of Truth

The package source is the single source of truth — `src/<pkg>/_skills/<pip-name>/` contains real files that are bundled in wheels. Exported copies under `~/.claude/skills/scitex/<pip-name>/` are generated by `scitex-dev skills export` and must **never** be edited directly (a pre-tool-use hook blocks such edits).

## Verification

After exporting, check the destination matches the source:

```bash
scitex-dev skills export --package <pkg> --dry-run
scitex-dev skills list --package <pkg>
```

Editable installs (`pip install -e .`) export as **symlinks** to the source tree — edits appear instantly without a re-export. Wheel installs export as **copies** from the bundled wheel data — edits require a re-install. See [08_editable-installation.md](08_editable-installation.md).

## Cross-references

- [10_how-to-update.md](10_how-to-update.md) — full edit-and-export workflow
- [11_troubleshooting.md](11_troubleshooting.md) — when export fails or finds nothing
