1# Plugin Structure Skill
2 
3Comprehensive guidance on Claude Code plugin architecture, directory layout, and best practices.
4 
5## Overview
6 
7This skill provides detailed knowledge about:
8- Plugin directory structure and organization
9- `plugin.json` manifest configuration
10- Component organization (commands, agents, skills, hooks)
11- Auto-discovery mechanisms
12- Portable path references with `${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}`
13- File naming conventions
14 
15## Skill Structure
16 
17### SKILL.md (1,619 words)
18 
19Core skill content covering:
20- Directory structure overview
21- Plugin manifest (plugin.json) fields
22- Component organization patterns
23- ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT} usage
24- File naming conventions
25- Auto-discovery mechanism
26- Best practices
27- Common patterns
28- Troubleshooting
29 
30### References
31 
32Detailed documentation for deep dives:
33 
34- **manifest-reference.md**: Complete `plugin.json` field reference
35  - All field descriptions and examples
36  - Path resolution rules
37  - Validation guidelines
38  - Minimal vs. complete manifest examples
39 
40- **component-patterns.md**: Advanced organization patterns
41  - Component lifecycle (discovery, activation)
42  - Command organization patterns
43  - Agent organization patterns
44  - Skill organization patterns
45  - Hook organization patterns
46  - Script organization patterns
47  - Cross-component patterns
48  - Best practices for scalability
49 
50### Examples
51 
52Three complete plugin examples:
53 
54- **minimal-plugin.md**: Simplest possible plugin
55  - Single command
56  - Minimal manifest
57  - When to use this pattern
58 
59- **standard-plugin.md**: Well-structured production plugin
60  - Multiple components (commands, agents, skills, hooks)
61  - Complete manifest with metadata
62  - Rich skill structure
63  - Integration between components
64 
65- **advanced-plugin.md**: Enterprise-grade plugin
66  - Multi-level organization
67  - MCP server integration
68  - Shared libraries
69  - Configuration management
70  - Security automation
71  - Monitoring integration
72 
73## When This Skill Triggers
74 
75Claude Code activates this skill when users:
76- Ask to "create a plugin" or "scaffold a plugin"
77- Need to "understand plugin structure"
78- Want to "organize plugin components"
79- Need to "set up plugin.json"
80- Ask about "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}" usage
81- Want to "add commands/agents/skills/hooks"
82- Need "configure auto-discovery" help
83- Ask about plugin architecture or best practices
84 
85## Progressive Disclosure
86 
87The skill uses progressive disclosure to manage context:
88 
891. **SKILL.md** (~1600 words): Core concepts and workflows
902. **References** (~6000 words): Detailed field references and patterns
913. **Examples** (~8000 words): Complete working examples
92 
93Claude loads references and examples only as needed based on the task.
94 
95## Related Skills
96 
97This skill works well with:
98- **hook-development**: For creating plugin hooks
99- **mcp-integration**: For integrating MCP servers (when available)
100- **marketplace-publishing**: For publishing plugins (when available)
101 
102## Maintenance
103 
104To update this skill:
1051. Keep SKILL.md lean and focused on core concepts
1062. Move detailed information to references/
1073. Add new examples/ for common patterns
1084. Update version in SKILL.md frontmatter
1095. Ensure all documentation uses imperative/infinitive form
110