From download to your first plan

I've downloaded AlexIt's a .zip file, usually in your Downloads folder. If you haven't got it yet, it's on the download page. I've left it zippedDon't unzip, rename or re-zip it. Some browsers unzip downloads automatically. If yours has, download it again.

Skills need this. Without it, you won't see the Skills menu and Alex won't work.

Go to Settings → CapabilitiesOn a Free, Pro or Max plan, switch on "Code execution and file creation".Open Claude ↗ On a Team or Enterprise plan? Check with your organisation ownerThey control this, and may need to switch on Skills and allow uploads. Tick this if it doesn't apply to you.

Go to Customize → SkillsIf your screen looks different, look for Skills under Settings → Capabilities. Click +, then "Create skill", then "Upload a skill" Choose the Alex .zipAlex appears in your skills list. Check its toggle is switched on

In ChatGPT, click Plugins in the left-hand sidebar, then SkillsOpen ChatGPT ↗ Click + and choose "Upload from your computer"Upload the Alex .zip exactly as it downloaded. Check Alex appears under Installed

Good to know: Skills are a newer ChatGPT feature, so your screen may look slightly different as OpenAI keeps changing it.

Gemini works differently. It doesn't take skill files, so you'll paste Alex into a Gem. You still only do this once.

Unzip the downloadOn a Mac, double-click the .zip. On Windows, right-click it and choose "Extract All". Open the folder that appears. Open SKILL.md in a plain text editorOn a Mac: right-click → Open With → TextEdit. On Windows: right-click → Open With → Notepad. A page of text is normal. Select all the text and copy itCmd + A then Cmd + C on a Mac, or Ctrl + A then Ctrl + C on Windows.

On gemini.google.com, click "Explore Gems", then + New GemOpen Gemini ↗ Name it Alex Paste everything into the Instructions boxCmd + V on a Mac or Ctrl + V on Windows. Add any other files from the folderIf the folder has other files in it, add them under "Add files". Tick this if there aren't any. Click SaveAlex now sits in your sidebar under Gems.

Start a new chat in ClaudeClaude picks up Alex when it fits, so there's nothing to switch on. If it doesn't, start your message with "Use the Alex skill". Start a new conversation in ChatGPT WorkUse Work, not a normal chat. Type @ and choose Alex. Click the Alex Gem in your sidebar Paste this and swap the brackets for your own wordsMessy is fine.

Answer Alex's questions, one at a timeAlex makes sure the goal is clear before it plans anything. Read your planNumbered steps, a timeframe for each, the steps that depend on others, and a date to check back. If your goal has no real date, Alex may suggest one next step instead. Put the check-back date in your diaryWhen things change, come back to the same chat and Alex updates the plan with you.