plugin-structure

SKILL.md preview

---
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
└── deplo

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