Instar
Cron-scheduled recurring agent jobs — needs the Instar npm server running
Test report
- Verdict
- Works with setup
- Score
- Tested
- Jul 20, 2026
- Environment
- Claude Code 2.x (agent harness)
⚠ This skill is no longer available upstream. Our re-check on Aug 10, 2026 couldn't find it any more (SKILL.md not found in repo tree). The test below is what we measured on Jul 20, 2026 and we're leaving it up as a record — but there is nothing left to install, so we've removed the command.
Fetched the repo tree (23 SKILL.md files across a large TS framework, 72 stars) and read README + instar-scheduler/SKILL.md fully; slug names the whole suite so I picked the flagship scheduler skill. Frontmatter is clean (name+description+requires:instar), body references .instar/jobs.json and a localhost:4040 server via curl/CLI — self-contained as prose but inert without the running Instar server. Security scan clean: token redaction, config.local.json gitignored, only legitimate api.telegram.org calls, no curl|sh / base64 / exfiltration. Docs are accurate at the skill level but the surrounding README is heavily marketed with unverifiable claims (~3,800 test cases, "un-hobbles agents").
Scored on four weighted criteria — install, triggering, output vs. baseline, docs. How scoring works
- Installs cleanly 4/5
- Triggers reliably 5/5
- Output vs. baseline 5/10
- Docs & honesty 4/5
What Instar does
Instar is a framework for persistent Claude Code agents (memory, scheduling, Telegram/WhatsApp/iMessage). The representative instar-scheduler skill lets an agent define cron jobs in .instar/jobs.json that spawn real Claude sessions on a schedule. It triggers on requests to run/check something periodically, set up a cron job, or have work happen while the user is away.
How to install Instar
Nothing to install: the source repository no longer has this skill. If the author brings it back, our daily re-check will pick it up and the command will reappear here.
Commands — how to trigger Instar
-
/instarCron-scheduled recurring agent jobs — needs the Instar npm server running
It also activates on plain-language prompts like these:
-
Set up a persistent Claude Code agent that runs on a schedule -
Wire this agent up to send me updates through Telegram -
Keep my agent's session and memory alive across restarts
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Instar skill free?
- Yes. The skill itself is free from JKHeadley/instar. SkillProof publishes the install command and an independent test verdict at no cost.
- Does Instar work with Claude Code?
- We tested it with Claude Code 2.x (agent harness) on Jul 20, 2026. Verdict: Works with setup. Fetched the repo tree (23 SKILL.md files across a large TS framework, 72 stars) and read README + instar-scheduler/SKILL.md fully; slug names the whole suite so I picked the flagship scheduler skill. Frontmatter is clean (name+description+requires:instar), body references .instar/jobs.json and a localhost:4040 server via curl/CLI — self-contained as prose but inert without the running Instar server. Security scan clean: token redaction, config.local.json gitignored, only legitimate api.telegram.org calls, no curl|sh / base64 / exfiltration. Docs are accurate at the skill level but the surrounding README is heavily marketed with unverifiable claims (~3,800 test cases, "un-hobbles agents").
- What is the Instar SkillProof Score?
- 7.2/10 — installs cleanly 4/5, triggers reliably 5/5, output vs. baseline 5/10, docs & honesty 4/5.
- How do I install Instar?
- Copy the install command from this page, run it in your terminal, and restart Claude Code. Skills live in ~/.claude/skills/ (global) or .claude/skills/ inside a project.
- Can I use Instar with Cursor, Copilot, Gemini CLI, Codex or other AI tools?
- The SKILL.md format is native to Claude (Claude Code, Desktop, claude.ai). The instructions inside adapt to other assistants: Cursor rules, GitHub Copilot instructions, Windsurf rules, Custom GPTs, AGENTS.md for OpenAI Codex, and GEMINI.md for Google Gemini CLI — our conversion guides cover each, and the free converter on the tools page does the wrapping for you.