plugin-dev-guide

Original：🇺🇸 English
Translated

This skill should be used when the user asks about "Claude Code plugins", "plugin development", "how to build a plugin", "what plugin components exist", "plugin architecture", "extending Claude Code", or needs an overview of plugin development capabilities. Acts as a guide to the 9 specialized plugin-dev skills, explaining when to activate each one. Load this skill first when the user is new to plugin development or unsure which specific skill they need.

10installs
Sourcesjnims/plugin-dev
Added on

NPX Install

npx skill4agent add sjnims/plugin-dev plugin-dev-guide

Tags

Translated version includes tags in frontmatter
claude-code-plugin-devskill-guidanceplugin-architectureagent-developmentmcp-integration

SKILL.md Content

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Plugin Development Guide

This meta-skill provides an overview of Claude Code plugin development and routes to specialized skills based on the task at hand.

Plugin Development Skills Overview

The plugin-dev toolkit provides 9 specialized skills for building Claude Code plugins, plus this guide. Each skill handles a specific domain of plugin development.

Skill Quick Reference

SkillPurpose
plugin-structureDirectory layout, manifest, component organization
command-developmentSimple prompts (single .md files in commands/)
agent-developmentAutonomous subagents
skill-developmentComplex prompts with bundled resources (skills/)
hook-developmentEvent-driven automation
mcp-integrationModel Context Protocol servers
lsp-integrationLanguage Server Protocol for code intelligence
plugin-settingsUser configuration via .local.md
marketplace-structurePlugin marketplace creation

When to Use Each Skill

Starting a New Plugin

Skill: 
plugin-structure
Use when the user needs to:
  • Create a new plugin from scratch
  • Understand plugin directory layout
  • Configure plugin.json manifest
  • Learn about component auto-discovery
  • Use ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT} for portable paths

Adding User-Facing Commands

Skill: 
command-development
Use when the user needs to:
  • Create slash commands (/command-name)
  • Configure command frontmatter (description, allowed-tools, model)
  • Use dynamic arguments ($ARGUMENTS, $1, $2)
  • Reference files with @ syntax
  • Execute bash inline with 
    [BANG]
    backticks

Creating Autonomous Agents

Skill: 
agent-development
Use when the user needs to:
  • Create subagents for complex tasks
  • Write agent system prompts
  • Configure agent triggering (description with examples)
  • Choose agent models and colors
  • Restrict agent tool access

Building Skills

Skill: 
skill-development
Use when the user needs to:
  • Create skills that extend Claude's capabilities
  • Write SKILL.md with proper frontmatter
  • Organize skill content with progressive disclosure
  • Create references/, examples/, scripts/ directories
  • Write effective trigger phrases

Implementing Event Hooks

Skill: 
hook-development
Use when the user needs to:
  • React to Claude Code events (PreToolUse, Stop, SessionStart, etc.)
  • Create prompt-based or command-based hooks
  • Validate tool inputs before execution
  • Enforce completion standards
  • Block dangerous operations

Integrating External Services via MCP

Skill: 
mcp-integration
Use when the user needs to:
  • Add MCP servers to plugins
  • Configure stdio, SSE, HTTP, or WebSocket servers
  • Set up authentication (OAuth, tokens)
  • Use MCP tools in commands and agents
  • Discover existing MCP servers on PulseMCP

Adding Code Intelligence via LSP

Skill: 
lsp-integration
Use when the user needs to:
  • Add Language Server Protocol servers to plugins
  • Enable go-to-definition and find-references
  • Configure language-specific servers (pyright, gopls, rust-analyzer)
  • Set up extensionToLanguage mappings
  • Enhance Claude's code understanding

Managing Plugin Configuration

Skill: 
plugin-settings
Use when the user needs to:
  • Store user-configurable settings
  • Use .claude/plugin-name.local.md pattern
  • Parse YAML frontmatter in hooks
  • Create temporarily active hooks
  • Manage agent state

Creating Plugin Marketplaces

Skill: 
marketplace-structure
Use when the user needs to:
  • Create a marketplace for multiple plugins
  • Configure marketplace.json
  • Set up plugin sources (relative, GitHub, git URL)
  • Distribute plugins to teams
  • Organize plugin collections

Decision Tree for Skill Selection

User wants to...
├── Create/organize a plugin structure? → plugin-structure
├── Add a simple slash command (no bundled resources)? → command-development
├── Create an autonomous agent? → agent-development
├── Add a complex skill with scripts/references? → skill-development
├── React to Claude Code events? → hook-development
├── Integrate external service/API? → mcp-integration
├── Add code intelligence/LSP? → lsp-integration
├── Make plugin configurable? → plugin-settings
└── Distribute multiple plugins? → marketplace-structure

Common Multi-Skill Workflows

Building a Complete Plugin

  1. Start: Load 
    plugin-structure
    skill to create directory layout
  2. Add features: Load 
    command-development
    for user-facing commands
  3. Automation: Load 
    hook-development
    for event-driven behavior
  4. Configuration: Load 
    plugin-settings
    if user configuration needed
  5. Validation: Use plugin-validator agent to validate structure

Creating an MCP-Powered Plugin

  1. Start: Load 
    plugin-structure
    for basic structure
  2. Integration: Load 
    mcp-integration
    to configure MCP servers
  3. Commands: Load 
    command-development
    to create commands that use MCP tools
  4. Agents: Load 
    agent-development
    for autonomous MCP workflows

Building a Code Intelligence Plugin

  1. Start: Load 
    plugin-structure
    for basic structure
  2. LSP: Load 
    lsp-integration
    to configure language servers
  3. Commands: Load 
    command-development
    for commands using LSP features

Building a Skill-Focused Plugin

  1. Start: Load 
    plugin-structure
    for basic structure
  2. Skills: Load 
    skill-development
    to create specialized skills
  3. Validation: Use skill-reviewer agent to validate skill quality

Available Agents

The plugin-dev plugin also provides 3 agents:
AgentPurpose
plugin-validatorValidates plugin structure and manifests
skill-reviewerReviews skill quality and triggering
agent-creatorGenerates new agents from descriptions
Use agents proactively after creating components to ensure quality.

Available Commands

CommandPurpose
/plugin-dev:plugin-dev-guide
Overview and skill routing
/plugin-dev:start
Entry point - choose plugin or marketplace creation
/plugin-dev:create-plugin
8-phase guided plugin creation workflow
/plugin-dev:create-marketplace
8-phase guided marketplace creation workflow

User Request

$ARGUMENTS
If the user provided a request above, analyze it and either:
  1. Route to a specific skill if the request clearly matches one domain
  2. Answer directly using this guide's overview information
  3. Ask for clarification if the request is ambiguous
If no request was provided, summarize the available plugin development capabilities and ask what the user wants to build or learn about.