- name
- developing-claude-code-plugins
- description
- Use when working on Claude Code plugins (creating, modifying, testing, releasing, or maintaining) - provides streamlined workflows, patterns, and examples for the complete plugin lifecycle
Developing Claude Code Plugins
Overview
This skill provides efficient workflows for creating Claude Code plugins. Use it to make plugin development fast and correct - it synthesizes official docs into actionable steps and provides working examples.
When to Use
Use this skill when:
- Creating a new Claude Code plugin from scratch
- Adding components to an existing plugin (skills, commands, hooks, MCP servers)
- Setting up a development marketplace for testing
- Troubleshooting plugin structure issues
- Understanding plugin architecture and patterns
- Releasing a plugin (versioning, tagging, marketplace distribution)
- Publishing updates or maintaining existing plugins
For comprehensive official documentation, use the working-with-claude-code skill to access full docs.
Quick Reference
| Need to... | Read This | Official Docs |
|---|---|---|
| Understand directory structure | references/plugin-structure.md | plugins.md |
| Choose a plugin pattern | references/common-patterns.md | plugins.md |
| Debug plugin issues | references/troubleshooting.md | Various |
| See working examples | examples/ directory | N/A |
Plugin Development Workflow
Phase 1: Plan
Before writing code:
- Define your plugin's purpose
- What problem does it solve? - Who will use it? - What components will it need?
- Choose your pattern (read
references/common-patterns.md)
- Simple plugin with one skill? - MCP integration with guidance? - Command collection? - Full-featured platform?
- Review examples
- examples/simple-greeter-plugin/ - Minimal plugin - examples/full-featured-plugin/ - All components - Installed plugins in ~/.claude/plugins/
Phase 2: Create Structure
- Create directories (see
references/plugin-structure.mdfor details):
mkdir -p my-plugin/.claude-plugin
mkdir -p my-plugin/skills
# Add other component directories as needed- Write plugin.json (required):
{
"name": "my-plugin",
"version": "1.0.0",
"description": "What your plugin does",
"author": {"name": "Your Name"}
}See references/plugin-structure.md for complete format.
- Create development marketplace (for local testing):
Create .claude-plugin/marketplace.json:
{
"name": "my-dev",
"plugins": [{
"name": "my-plugin",
"source": "./"
}]
}See references/plugin-structure.md for complete format.
Phase 3: Add Components
Use TodoWrite to track component creation:
Example:
- Create skill: main-workflow
- Add command: /hello
- Configure hooks
- Write README
- Test installationFor each component type, see:
- Format/syntax:
references/plugin-structure.md - When to use:
references/common-patterns.md - Working code:
examples/directory
Phase 4: Test Locally
- Install for testing:
/plugin marketplace add /path/to/my-plugin
/plugin install my-plugin@my-devThen restart Claude Code.
- Test each component:
- Skills: Ask for tasks matching skill descriptions - Commands: Run /your-command - MCP servers: Check tools are available - Hooks: Trigger relevant events
- Iterate:
/plugin uninstall my-plugin@my-dev
# Make changes
/plugin install my-plugin@my-dev
# Restart Claude CodePhase 5: Debug and Refine
If something doesn't work, read references/troubleshooting.md for:
- Plugin not loading
- Skill not triggering
- Command not appearing
- MCP server not starting
- Hooks not firing
Common issues are usually:
- Wrong directory structure
- Hardcoded paths (use
${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}) - Forgot to restart Claude Code
- Missing executable permissions on scripts
Phase 6: Release and Distribute
- Write README with:
- What the plugin does - Installation instructions - Usage examples - Component descriptions
- Version your release using semantic versioning:
- Update version in .claude-plugin/plugin.json - Document changes in CHANGELOG.md or RELEASE-NOTES.md - Example: "version": "1.2.1" (major.minor.patch)
- Commit and tag your release:
git add .
git commit -m "Release v1.2.1: [brief description]"
git tag v1.2.1
git push origin main
git push origin v1.2.1- Choose distribution method:
Option A: Direct GitHub distribution - Users add: /plugin marketplace add your-org/your-plugin-repo - Your plugin.json serves as the manifest
Option B: Marketplace distribution (recommended for multi-plugin collections) - Create separate marketplace repository - Add .claude-plugin/marketplace.json with plugin references:
{
"name": "my-marketplace",
"owner": {"name": "Your Name"},
"plugins": [{
"name": "your-plugin",
"source": {
"source": "url",
"url": "https://github.com/your-org/your-plugin.git"
},
"version": "1.2.1",
"description": "Plugin description"
}]
}- Users add: /plugin marketplace add your-org/your-marketplace - Update marketplace manifest for each plugin release
Option C: Private/team distribution - Configure in team's .claude/settings.json:
{
"extraKnownMarketplaces": {
"team-tools": {
"source": {"source": "github", "repo": "your-org/plugins"}
}
}
}- Test the release:
# Test fresh installation
/plugin marketplace add your-marketplace-source
/plugin install your-plugin@marketplace-name
# Verify functionality, then clean up
/plugin uninstall your-plugin@marketplace-name- Announce and maintain:
- GitHub releases (optional) - Team notifications - Monitor for issues and user feedback - Plan maintenance updates
Critical Rules
Always follow these (from references/plugin-structure.md):
.claude-plugin/contains ONLY manifests (plugin.jsonand optionallymarketplace.json)
- ❌ Don't put skills, commands, or other components inside - ✅ Put them at plugin root
- Use
${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}for all paths in config files
- Makes plugin portable across systems - Required for hooks, MCP servers, scripts
- Use relative paths in
plugin.json
- Start with ./ - Relative to plugin root
- Make scripts executable
- chmod +x script.sh - Required for hooks and MCP servers
Resources in This Skill
references/plugin-structure.md- Directory layout, file formats, component syntaxreferences/common-patterns.md- When to use each plugin pattern, examplesreferences/troubleshooting.md- Debug guide for common issuesexamples/simple-greeter-plugin/- Minimal working plugin (one skill)examples/full-featured-plugin/- Complete plugin with all components
Cross-References
For deep dives into official documentation, use the working-with-claude-code skill to access:
plugins.md- Plugin development overviewplugins-reference.md- Complete API referenceskills.md- Skill authoring guideslash-commands.md- Command formathooks.md,hooks-guide.md- Hook systemmcp.md- MCP server integrationplugin-marketplaces.md- Distribution
Best Practices
- Start simple - Begin with minimal structure, add complexity when needed
- Test frequently - Install → test → uninstall → modify → repeat
- Use examples - Copy patterns from working plugins
- Follow conventions - Match style of existing plugins
- Document everything - Clear README helps users and future you
- Version properly - Use semantic versioning (major.minor.patch)
Workflow Summary
Plan → Choose pattern, review examples
Create → Make structure, write manifests
Add → Build components (skills, commands, etc.)
Test → Install via dev marketplace
Debug → Use troubleshooting guide
Release → Version, tag, distribute via marketplace
Maintain → Monitor, update, support usersThe correct path is the fast path. Use references, follow patterns, test frequently.