Avoid AI Writing (Claude Skill) — Install & Live Demo

Why use it

Key features

21 categories of AI-tell patterns documented and detected
Auto-rewrite mode with a 'show diff' preview
Style controls (formal vs casual)
Tracks patterns over time so you can see your own AI drift
Compatible with Claude Code, OpenClaw, Hermes

Live Demo

What it looks like in practice

avoid-ai-writing-skill.replay ▶ ready

0/0

Install

Pick your client

~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json · Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "avoid-ai-writing-skill": {
      "command": "git",
      "args": [
        "clone",
        "https://github.com/conorbronsdon/avoid-ai-writing",
        "~/.claude/skills/avoid-ai-writing"
      ],
      "_inferred": true
    }
  }
}

Open Claude Desktop → Settings → Developer → Edit Config. Restart after saving.

~/.cursor/mcp.json · .cursor/mcp.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "avoid-ai-writing-skill": {
      "command": "git",
      "args": [
        "clone",
        "https://github.com/conorbronsdon/avoid-ai-writing",
        "~/.claude/skills/avoid-ai-writing"
      ],
      "_inferred": true
    }
  }
}

Cursor uses the same mcpServers schema as Claude Desktop. Project config wins over global.

VS Code → Cline → MCP Servers → Edit

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "avoid-ai-writing-skill": {
      "command": "git",
      "args": [
        "clone",
        "https://github.com/conorbronsdon/avoid-ai-writing",
        "~/.claude/skills/avoid-ai-writing"
      ],
      "_inferred": true
    }
  }
}

Click the MCP Servers icon in the Cline sidebar, then "Edit Configuration".

~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "avoid-ai-writing-skill": {
      "command": "git",
      "args": [
        "clone",
        "https://github.com/conorbronsdon/avoid-ai-writing",
        "~/.claude/skills/avoid-ai-writing"
      ],
      "_inferred": true
    }
  }
}

Same shape as Claude Desktop. Restart Windsurf to pick up changes.

~/.continue/config.json

{
  "mcpServers": [
    {
      "name": "avoid-ai-writing-skill",
      "command": "git",
      "args": [
        "clone",
        "https://github.com/conorbronsdon/avoid-ai-writing",
        "~/.claude/skills/avoid-ai-writing"
      ]
    }
  ]
}

Continue uses an array of server objects rather than a map.

~/.config/zed/settings.json

{
  "context_servers": {
    "avoid-ai-writing-skill": {
      "command": {
        "path": "git",
        "args": [
          "clone",
          "https://github.com/conorbronsdon/avoid-ai-writing",
          "~/.claude/skills/avoid-ai-writing"
        ]
      }
    }
  }
}

Add to context_servers. Zed hot-reloads on save.

claude mcp add avoid-ai-writing-skill -- git clone https://github.com/conorbronsdon/avoid-ai-writing ~/.claude/skills/avoid-ai-writing

One-liner. Verify with claude mcp list. Remove with claude mcp remove.

Use Cases

Real-world ways to use Avoid AI Writing

Strip AI tells from a blog post before publishing

👤 Anyone shipping AI-assisted writing ⏱ ~15 min intermediate

When to use: Right before you hit publish.

Prerequisites

Server/skill installed and authenticated — See repo README

Flow

Audit

Run the avoid-ai-writing skill on /drafts/launch-post.md. Show me the offending phrases and counts.✓ Copied

→ Inline list of detections
Rewrite

Apply the rewrite in-place but show me a diff first.✓ Copied

→ Diff you can accept or reject hunk-by-hunk

Outcome: A post that doesn't make readers smell the model.

Pitfalls

Don't run it on someone else's prose — Don't run it on someone else's prose — the rewrite changes voice. Use on your own drafts only.

Cost & Limits

What this costs to run

API quota: See provider docs for rate limits
Tokens per call: Varies by tool
Monetary: See repo README for pricing details
Tip: Cache tool results and avoid repeated identical calls.

Security

Permissions, secrets, blast radius

Credential storage: Use environment variables; never commit secrets

Data egress: Tool calls go to the provider's API as documented

Troubleshooting

Common errors and fixes

skill flags valid em-dashes

Tune the threshold in the skill's config — em-dash usage above 1 per 200 words is the default tell.

Verify: Reduce density and re-run

rewrites change meaning

Use the diff mode and reject hunks that drift. The skill's confidence score helps prioritize.

Verify: Compare original vs rewrite per paragraph

Alternatives

Avoid AI Writing vs others

Alternative	When to use it instead	Tradeoff
Generic linters	You want full style-guide enforcement	Vale is broader; this skill is AI-tell-specific

More

Resources

📖 Read the official README on GitHub

🐙 Browse open issues

🔍 Browse all 400+ MCP servers and Skills