plugin-structure
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 ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}", "add commands/agents/skills/hooks", "configure auto-discovery", or needs guidance on plugin directory layout, manifest configuration, component organization, file naming conventions, or Claude Code plugin architecture best practices.
Profile →npx skills add anthropics/claude-plugins-official --skill plugin-structure --agent claude-code
Same command for any agent — swap --agent for codex, cursor, copilot.
Weekly change comes from our own snapshots, not the repository page — it measures attention, not adoption.
# Plugin Structure for Claude Code ## Overview Claude Code plugins follow a standardized directory structure with automatic component discovery. Understanding this structure enables creating well-organized, maintainable plugins that integrate seamlessly with Claude Code. **Key concepts:** - Conventional directory layout for automatic discovery - Manifest-driven configuration in `.claude-plugin/plugin.json` - Component-based organization (commands, agents, skills, hooks) - Portable path references using `${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
- Overview
- Directory Structure
- Plugin Manifest (plugin.json)
- Required Fields
- Recommended Metadata
- Component Path Configuration
- Component Organization
- Commands
- Agents
- Skills
- Hooks
- MCP Servers
- Portable Path References
- ${CLAUDEPLUGINROOT}
source "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/lib/common.sh"What does the plugin-structure skill do?
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.
How do I install it?
Run `npx skills add anthropics/claude-plugins-official --skill plugin-structure --agent claude-code` — it drops the skill into your project so the agent can pick it up. Swap the --agent value for codex, cursor or copilot if you use one of those.
Where does this skill come from?
From anthropics/claude-plugins-official, a repository with 33,027 stars. We read it straight from the repository tree rather than a submitted listing, so what you see here is what is actually published.
Is a popular skill a good skill?
Not necessarily. Stars measure attention, not adoption — a repository can trend for a week and be abandoned. That is why we show the weekly change from our own snapshots next to the total, instead of a single flattering number.