diff --git a/skills/shadcn/SKILL.md b/skills/shadcn/SKILL.md
index 022142ad53..8a76cc0dc2 100644
--- a/skills/shadcn/SKILL.md
+++ b/skills/shadcn/SKILL.md
@@ -176,6 +176,7 @@ npx shadcn@latest docs button dialog select
    - **Reinstall**: `npx shadcn@latest init --preset <code> --force --reinstall`. Overwrites all components.
    - **Merge**: `npx shadcn@latest init --preset <code> --force --no-reinstall`, then run `npx shadcn@latest info` to list installed components, then for each installed component use `--dry-run` and `--diff` to [smart merge](#updating-components) it individually.
    - **Skip**: `npx shadcn@latest init --preset <code> --force --no-reinstall`. Only updates config and CSS, leaves components as-is.
+   - **Important**: Always run preset commands inside the user's project directory. The CLI automatically preserves the current base (`base` vs `radix`) from `components.json`. If you must use a scratch/temp directory (e.g. for `--dry-run` comparisons), pass `--base <current-base>` explicitly — preset codes do not encode the base.
 
 ## Updating Components
 
diff --git a/skills/shadcn/cli.md b/skills/shadcn/cli.md
index 32124036dd..bdbfe401cb 100644
--- a/skills/shadcn/cli.md
+++ b/skills/shadcn/cli.md
@@ -253,3 +253,5 @@ Ask the user first: **reinstall**, **merge**, or **skip** existing components?
 - **Re-install** → `npx shadcn@latest init --preset <code> --force --reinstall`. Overwrites all component files with the new preset styles. Use when the user hasn't customized components.
 - **Merge** → `npx shadcn@latest init --preset <code> --force --no-reinstall`, then run `npx shadcn@latest info` to get the list of installed components and use the [smart merge workflow](./SKILL.md#updating-components) to update them one by one, preserving local changes. Use when the user has customized components.
 - **Skip** → `npx shadcn@latest init --preset <code> --force --no-reinstall`. Only updates config and CSS variables, leaves existing components as-is.
+
+Always run preset commands inside the user's project directory. The CLI automatically preserves the current base (`base` vs `radix`) from `components.json`. If you must use a scratch/temp directory (e.g. for `--dry-run` comparisons), pass `--base <current-base>` explicitly — preset codes do not encode the base.