Initial commit
This commit is contained in:
476
skills/plugin-structure/SKILL.md
Normal file
476
skills/plugin-structure/SKILL.md
Normal file
@@ -0,0 +1,476 @@
|
||||
---
|
||||
name: Plugin Structure
|
||||
description: This skill should be used when the user asks to "create a plugin", "scaffold a plugin", "understand plugin structure", "organize plugin components", "set up plugin.json", "use ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}", "add commands/agents/skills/hooks", "configure auto-discovery", or needs guidance on plugin directory layout, manifest configuration, component organization, file naming conventions, or Claude Code plugin architecture best practices.
|
||||
version: 0.1.0
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
# Plugin Structure for Claude Code
|
||||
|
||||
## Overview
|
||||
|
||||
Claude Code plugins follow a standardized directory structure with automatic component discovery. Understanding this structure enables creating well-organized, maintainable plugins that integrate seamlessly with Claude Code.
|
||||
|
||||
**Key concepts:**
|
||||
- Conventional directory layout for automatic discovery
|
||||
- Manifest-driven configuration in `.claude-plugin/plugin.json`
|
||||
- Component-based organization (commands, agents, skills, hooks)
|
||||
- Portable path references using `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}`
|
||||
- Explicit vs. auto-discovered component loading
|
||||
|
||||
## Directory Structure
|
||||
|
||||
Every Claude Code plugin follows this organizational pattern:
|
||||
|
||||
```
|
||||
plugin-name/
|
||||
├── .claude-plugin/
|
||||
│ └── plugin.json # Required: Plugin manifest
|
||||
├── commands/ # Slash commands (.md files)
|
||||
├── agents/ # Subagent definitions (.md files)
|
||||
├── skills/ # Agent skills (subdirectories)
|
||||
│ └── skill-name/
|
||||
│ └── SKILL.md # Required for each skill
|
||||
├── hooks/
|
||||
│ └── hooks.json # Event handler configuration
|
||||
├── .mcp.json # MCP server definitions
|
||||
└── scripts/ # Helper scripts and utilities
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
**Critical rules:**
|
||||
|
||||
1. **Manifest location**: The `plugin.json` manifest MUST be in `.claude-plugin/` directory
|
||||
2. **Component locations**: All component directories (commands, agents, skills, hooks) MUST be at plugin root level, NOT nested inside `.claude-plugin/`
|
||||
3. **Optional components**: Only create directories for components the plugin actually uses
|
||||
4. **Naming convention**: Use kebab-case for all directory and file names
|
||||
|
||||
## Plugin Manifest (plugin.json)
|
||||
|
||||
The manifest defines plugin metadata and configuration. Located at `.claude-plugin/plugin.json`:
|
||||
|
||||
### Required Fields
|
||||
|
||||
```json
|
||||
{
|
||||
"name": "plugin-name"
|
||||
}
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
**Name requirements:**
|
||||
- Use kebab-case format (lowercase with hyphens)
|
||||
- Must be unique across installed plugins
|
||||
- No spaces or special characters
|
||||
- Example: `code-review-assistant`, `test-runner`, `api-docs`
|
||||
|
||||
### Recommended Metadata
|
||||
|
||||
```json
|
||||
{
|
||||
"name": "plugin-name",
|
||||
"version": "1.0.0",
|
||||
"description": "Brief explanation of plugin purpose",
|
||||
"author": {
|
||||
"name": "Author Name",
|
||||
"email": "author@example.com",
|
||||
"url": "https://example.com"
|
||||
},
|
||||
"homepage": "https://docs.example.com",
|
||||
"repository": "https://github.com/user/plugin-name",
|
||||
"license": "MIT",
|
||||
"keywords": ["testing", "automation", "ci-cd"]
|
||||
}
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
**Version format**: Follow semantic versioning (MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH)
|
||||
**Keywords**: Use for plugin discovery and categorization
|
||||
|
||||
### Component Path Configuration
|
||||
|
||||
Specify custom paths for components (supplements default directories):
|
||||
|
||||
```json
|
||||
{
|
||||
"name": "plugin-name",
|
||||
"commands": "./custom-commands",
|
||||
"agents": ["./agents", "./specialized-agents"],
|
||||
"hooks": "./config/hooks.json",
|
||||
"mcpServers": "./.mcp.json"
|
||||
}
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
**Important**: Custom paths supplement defaults—they don't replace them. Components in both default directories and custom paths will load.
|
||||
|
||||
**Path rules:**
|
||||
- Must be relative to plugin root
|
||||
- Must start with `./`
|
||||
- Cannot use absolute paths
|
||||
- Support arrays for multiple locations
|
||||
|
||||
## Component Organization
|
||||
|
||||
### Commands
|
||||
|
||||
**Location**: `commands/` directory
|
||||
**Format**: Markdown files with YAML frontmatter
|
||||
**Auto-discovery**: All `.md` files in `commands/` load automatically
|
||||
|
||||
**Example structure**:
|
||||
```
|
||||
commands/
|
||||
├── review.md # /review command
|
||||
├── test.md # /test command
|
||||
└── deploy.md # /deploy command
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
**File format**:
|
||||
```markdown
|
||||
---
|
||||
name: command-name
|
||||
description: Command description
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
Command implementation instructions...
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
**Usage**: Commands integrate as native slash commands in Claude Code
|
||||
|
||||
### Agents
|
||||
|
||||
**Location**: `agents/` directory
|
||||
**Format**: Markdown files with YAML frontmatter
|
||||
**Auto-discovery**: All `.md` files in `agents/` load automatically
|
||||
|
||||
**Example structure**:
|
||||
```
|
||||
agents/
|
||||
├── code-reviewer.md
|
||||
├── test-generator.md
|
||||
└── refactorer.md
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
**File format**:
|
||||
```markdown
|
||||
---
|
||||
description: Agent role and expertise
|
||||
capabilities:
|
||||
- Specific task 1
|
||||
- Specific task 2
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
Detailed agent instructions and knowledge...
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
**Usage**: Users can invoke agents manually, or Claude Code selects them automatically based on task context
|
||||
|
||||
### Skills
|
||||
|
||||
**Location**: `skills/` directory with subdirectories per skill
|
||||
**Format**: Each skill in its own directory with `SKILL.md` file
|
||||
**Auto-discovery**: All `SKILL.md` files in skill subdirectories load automatically
|
||||
|
||||
**Example structure**:
|
||||
```
|
||||
skills/
|
||||
├── api-testing/
|
||||
│ ├── SKILL.md
|
||||
│ ├── scripts/
|
||||
│ │ └── test-runner.py
|
||||
│ └── references/
|
||||
│ └── api-spec.md
|
||||
└── database-migrations/
|
||||
├── SKILL.md
|
||||
└── examples/
|
||||
└── migration-template.sql
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
**SKILL.md format**:
|
||||
```markdown
|
||||
---
|
||||
name: Skill Name
|
||||
description: When to use this skill
|
||||
version: 1.0.0
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
Skill instructions and guidance...
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
**Supporting files**: Skills can include scripts, references, examples, or assets in subdirectories
|
||||
|
||||
**Usage**: Claude Code autonomously activates skills based on task context matching the description
|
||||
|
||||
### Hooks
|
||||
|
||||
**Location**: `hooks/hooks.json` or inline in `plugin.json`
|
||||
**Format**: JSON configuration defining event handlers
|
||||
**Registration**: Hooks register automatically when plugin enables
|
||||
|
||||
**Example structure**:
|
||||
```
|
||||
hooks/
|
||||
├── hooks.json # Hook configuration
|
||||
└── scripts/
|
||||
├── validate.sh # Hook script
|
||||
└── check-style.sh # Hook script
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
**Configuration format**:
|
||||
```json
|
||||
{
|
||||
"PreToolUse": [{
|
||||
"matcher": "Write|Edit",
|
||||
"hooks": [{
|
||||
"type": "command",
|
||||
"command": "bash ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/hooks/scripts/validate.sh",
|
||||
"timeout": 30
|
||||
}]
|
||||
}]
|
||||
}
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
**Available events**: PreToolUse, PostToolUse, Stop, SubagentStop, SessionStart, SessionEnd, UserPromptSubmit, PreCompact, Notification
|
||||
|
||||
**Usage**: Hooks execute automatically in response to Claude Code events
|
||||
|
||||
### MCP Servers
|
||||
|
||||
**Location**: `.mcp.json` at plugin root or inline in `plugin.json`
|
||||
**Format**: JSON configuration for MCP server definitions
|
||||
**Auto-start**: Servers start automatically when plugin enables
|
||||
|
||||
**Example format**:
|
||||
```json
|
||||
{
|
||||
"mcpServers": {
|
||||
"server-name": {
|
||||
"command": "node",
|
||||
"args": ["${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/servers/server.js"],
|
||||
"env": {
|
||||
"API_KEY": "${API_KEY}"
|
||||
}
|
||||
}
|
||||
}
|
||||
}
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
**Usage**: MCP servers integrate seamlessly with Claude Code's tool system
|
||||
|
||||
## Portable Path References
|
||||
|
||||
### ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}
|
||||
|
||||
Use `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}` environment variable for all intra-plugin path references:
|
||||
|
||||
```json
|
||||
{
|
||||
"command": "bash ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/run.sh"
|
||||
}
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
**Why it matters**: Plugins install in different locations depending on:
|
||||
- User installation method (marketplace, local, npm)
|
||||
- Operating system conventions
|
||||
- User preferences
|
||||
|
||||
**Where to use it**:
|
||||
- Hook command paths
|
||||
- MCP server command arguments
|
||||
- Script execution references
|
||||
- Resource file paths
|
||||
|
||||
**Never use**:
|
||||
- Hardcoded absolute paths (`/Users/name/plugins/...`)
|
||||
- Relative paths from working directory (`./scripts/...` in commands)
|
||||
- Home directory shortcuts (`~/plugins/...`)
|
||||
|
||||
### Path Resolution Rules
|
||||
|
||||
**In manifest JSON fields** (hooks, MCP servers):
|
||||
```json
|
||||
"command": "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/tool.sh"
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
**In component files** (commands, agents, skills):
|
||||
```markdown
|
||||
Reference scripts at: ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/helper.py
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
**In executed scripts**:
|
||||
```bash
|
||||
#!/bin/bash
|
||||
# ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT} available as environment variable
|
||||
source "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/lib/common.sh"
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
## File Naming Conventions
|
||||
|
||||
### Component Files
|
||||
|
||||
**Commands**: Use kebab-case `.md` files
|
||||
- `code-review.md` → `/code-review`
|
||||
- `run-tests.md` → `/run-tests`
|
||||
- `api-docs.md` → `/api-docs`
|
||||
|
||||
**Agents**: Use kebab-case `.md` files describing role
|
||||
- `test-generator.md`
|
||||
- `code-reviewer.md`
|
||||
- `performance-analyzer.md`
|
||||
|
||||
**Skills**: Use kebab-case directory names
|
||||
- `api-testing/`
|
||||
- `database-migrations/`
|
||||
- `error-handling/`
|
||||
|
||||
### Supporting Files
|
||||
|
||||
**Scripts**: Use descriptive kebab-case names with appropriate extensions
|
||||
- `validate-input.sh`
|
||||
- `generate-report.py`
|
||||
- `process-data.js`
|
||||
|
||||
**Documentation**: Use kebab-case markdown files
|
||||
- `api-reference.md`
|
||||
- `migration-guide.md`
|
||||
- `best-practices.md`
|
||||
|
||||
**Configuration**: Use standard names
|
||||
- `hooks.json`
|
||||
- `.mcp.json`
|
||||
- `plugin.json`
|
||||
|
||||
## Auto-Discovery Mechanism
|
||||
|
||||
Claude Code automatically discovers and loads components:
|
||||
|
||||
1. **Plugin manifest**: Reads `.claude-plugin/plugin.json` when plugin enables
|
||||
2. **Commands**: Scans `commands/` directory for `.md` files
|
||||
3. **Agents**: Scans `agents/` directory for `.md` files
|
||||
4. **Skills**: Scans `skills/` for subdirectories containing `SKILL.md`
|
||||
5. **Hooks**: Loads configuration from `hooks/hooks.json` or manifest
|
||||
6. **MCP servers**: Loads configuration from `.mcp.json` or manifest
|
||||
|
||||
**Discovery timing**:
|
||||
- Plugin installation: Components register with Claude Code
|
||||
- Plugin enable: Components become available for use
|
||||
- No restart required: Changes take effect on next Claude Code session
|
||||
|
||||
**Override behavior**: Custom paths in `plugin.json` supplement (not replace) default directories
|
||||
|
||||
## Best Practices
|
||||
|
||||
### Organization
|
||||
|
||||
1. **Logical grouping**: Group related components together
|
||||
- Put test-related commands, agents, and skills together
|
||||
- Create subdirectories in `scripts/` for different purposes
|
||||
|
||||
2. **Minimal manifest**: Keep `plugin.json` lean
|
||||
- Only specify custom paths when necessary
|
||||
- Rely on auto-discovery for standard layouts
|
||||
- Use inline configuration only for simple cases
|
||||
|
||||
3. **Documentation**: Include README files
|
||||
- Plugin root: Overall purpose and usage
|
||||
- Component directories: Specific guidance
|
||||
- Script directories: Usage and requirements
|
||||
|
||||
### Naming
|
||||
|
||||
1. **Consistency**: Use consistent naming across components
|
||||
- If command is `test-runner`, name related agent `test-runner-agent`
|
||||
- Match skill directory names to their purpose
|
||||
|
||||
2. **Clarity**: Use descriptive names that indicate purpose
|
||||
- Good: `api-integration-testing/`, `code-quality-checker.md`
|
||||
- Avoid: `utils/`, `misc.md`, `temp.sh`
|
||||
|
||||
3. **Length**: Balance brevity with clarity
|
||||
- Commands: 2-3 words (`review-pr`, `run-ci`)
|
||||
- Agents: Describe role clearly (`code-reviewer`, `test-generator`)
|
||||
- Skills: Topic-focused (`error-handling`, `api-design`)
|
||||
|
||||
### Portability
|
||||
|
||||
1. **Always use ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}**: Never hardcode paths
|
||||
2. **Test on multiple systems**: Verify on macOS, Linux, Windows
|
||||
3. **Document dependencies**: List required tools and versions
|
||||
4. **Avoid system-specific features**: Use portable bash/Python constructs
|
||||
|
||||
### Maintenance
|
||||
|
||||
1. **Version consistently**: Update version in plugin.json for releases
|
||||
2. **Deprecate gracefully**: Mark old components clearly before removal
|
||||
3. **Document breaking changes**: Note changes affecting existing users
|
||||
4. **Test thoroughly**: Verify all components work after changes
|
||||
|
||||
## Common Patterns
|
||||
|
||||
### Minimal Plugin
|
||||
|
||||
Single command with no dependencies:
|
||||
```
|
||||
my-plugin/
|
||||
├── .claude-plugin/
|
||||
│ └── plugin.json # Just name field
|
||||
└── commands/
|
||||
└── hello.md # Single command
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
### Full-Featured Plugin
|
||||
|
||||
Complete plugin with all component types:
|
||||
```
|
||||
my-plugin/
|
||||
├── .claude-plugin/
|
||||
│ └── plugin.json
|
||||
├── commands/ # User-facing commands
|
||||
├── agents/ # Specialized subagents
|
||||
├── skills/ # Auto-activating skills
|
||||
├── hooks/ # Event handlers
|
||||
│ ├── hooks.json
|
||||
│ └── scripts/
|
||||
├── .mcp.json # External integrations
|
||||
└── scripts/ # Shared utilities
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
### Skill-Focused Plugin
|
||||
|
||||
Plugin providing only skills:
|
||||
```
|
||||
my-plugin/
|
||||
├── .claude-plugin/
|
||||
│ └── plugin.json
|
||||
└── skills/
|
||||
├── skill-one/
|
||||
│ └── SKILL.md
|
||||
└── skill-two/
|
||||
└── SKILL.md
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
## Troubleshooting
|
||||
|
||||
**Component not loading**:
|
||||
- Verify file is in correct directory with correct extension
|
||||
- Check YAML frontmatter syntax (commands, agents, skills)
|
||||
- Ensure skill has `SKILL.md` (not `README.md` or other name)
|
||||
- Confirm plugin is enabled in Claude Code settings
|
||||
|
||||
**Path resolution errors**:
|
||||
- Replace all hardcoded paths with `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}`
|
||||
- Verify paths are relative and start with `./` in manifest
|
||||
- Check that referenced files exist at specified paths
|
||||
- Test with `echo $CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT` in hook scripts
|
||||
|
||||
**Auto-discovery not working**:
|
||||
- Confirm directories are at plugin root (not in `.claude-plugin/`)
|
||||
- Check file naming follows conventions (kebab-case, correct extensions)
|
||||
- Verify custom paths in manifest are correct
|
||||
- Restart Claude Code to reload plugin configuration
|
||||
|
||||
**Conflicts between plugins**:
|
||||
- Use unique, descriptive component names
|
||||
- Namespace commands with plugin name if needed
|
||||
- Document potential conflicts in plugin README
|
||||
- Consider command prefixes for related functionality
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
For detailed examples and advanced patterns, see files in `references/` and `examples/` directories.
|
||||
Reference in New Issue
Block a user