diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 1fce02878e1..8631b0b07c6 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -9,6 +9,12 @@ Thanks for your interest in contributing to Hyperframes! This guide will help yo
 3. Install dependencies: `bun install`
 4. Create a branch: `git checkout -b my-feature`
 
+The published skill source lives in `skills/`. To install skills while working in
+this checkout, use `npx hyperframes skills update`, which installs globally. Run
+project-local `npx skills add ...` from a separate video project: its destination
+can overlap `skills/` and overwrite uncommitted changes. The repo-native skills in
+`.claude/skills/` and `.agents/skills/` are already included in the checkout.
+
 ## Choosing work
 
 Start with [available newcomer issues](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/issues?q=is%3Aissue+is%3Aopen+label%3A%22good+first+issue%22+no%3Aassignee) or [help-wanted issues](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/issues?q=is%3Aissue+is%3Aopen+label%3A%22help+wanted%22+no%3Aassignee). Read the discussion and check existing PRs before starting; an unassigned issue may already have work in progress. Comment with your intended approach and coordinate a claim with a maintainer.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 00c403787c0..7d96bbea839 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -59,6 +59,11 @@ npx skills add heygen-com/hyperframes
 >
 > `skills add` resolves the skills.sh registry blob, which can lag `main` by hours. `npx hyperframes skills update` installs from the current `main`, so reach for it when you need the newest copy of a skill.
 
+Run project-local installs from your video project's directory. From a HyperFrames
+checkout, use `npx hyperframes skills update` for a global install instead: a
+project-local installer target can overlap the tracked `skills/` source and
+overwrite uncommitted edits. See [contributor setup](CONTRIBUTING.md#getting-started).
+
 Try a prompt like:
 
 > Using `/hyperframes`, create a 10-second product intro with a fade-in title, a background video, and subtle background music.
diff --git a/docs/guides/skills.mdx b/docs/guides/skills.mdx
index 3ed2e39590b..728fdbf6b70 100644
--- a/docs/guides/skills.mdx
+++ b/docs/guides/skills.mdx
@@ -29,6 +29,12 @@ Run the interactive installer:
 npx skills add heygen-com/hyperframes
 ```
 
+Run this command from your video project's directory. If you cloned HyperFrames
+to contribute, use `npx hyperframes skills update` for a global install from that
+checkout, or run the project installer in a separate video project. Project-local
+installer targets can overlap the checkout's tracked `skills/` source and
+overwrite uncommitted edits.
+
 Select **Core Skills**. That covers every kind of video; the other skills install when a request needs them, so you do not need the full catalog up front.
 
 Start a fresh agent chat after installation, then ask it to use `/hyperframes`.