Skip to content
Get packs

Claude Code Plugin Structure Guide

Scaffolds and organizes Claude Code plugins with the correct folder layout and manifest.

Source Download skill
Repository
anthropics/claude-plugins-official
Stars
45,770
Licence
Apache-2.0
Files
7 files

What it does

When you ask the agent to create or organize a Claude Code plugin, this skill tells it the standard folder layout, where the plugin.json manifest must sit, how commands, agents, skills, hooks and MCP servers are arranged, and naming rules. The agent then builds plugin files that Claude Code can discover automatically, instead of guessing at the structure. It is guidance for writing plugin files, not a tool that runs anything by itself.

Great for

  • Developers building their first Claude Code plugin
  • Teams standardising the layout of internal plugins
  • Anyone troubleshooting why a plugin's commands or hooks are not being picked up

Skip it if

  • Non-developers who just want to use an existing plugin (the skill only helps build plugins, and mistakes in hand-written manifests can break loading)
  • Projects outside Claude Code, since the rules are specific to Claude Code's plugin system

Try asking

  • “Scaffold a new Claude Code plugin called code-review-assistant with a command and an agent”
  • “Set up plugin.json for my plugin and explain which metadata fields are recommended”
  • “Where should my hooks.json and helper scripts go in this plugin?”
  • “Use ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT} correctly in my hook command paths”
Step-by-step guide: how to use Claude Code Plugin Structure GuideInstall, first run, examples, tips and FAQs

Install in 3 steps

  1. 1

    Download the skill

    The ZIP contains the 7 original files, the Apache-2.0 licence and an attribution note.

    plugin-structure.zip
  2. 2

    Add it to your agent

    Claude Code (all projects)

    mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills && unzip plugin-structure.zip -d ~/.claude/skills/

    Claude Code / Agent SDK (this project only)

    mkdir -p .claude/skills && unzip plugin-structure.zip -d .claude/skills/

    Claude apps (web/desktop): Settings → Capabilities → Skills → Upload skill, and choose the ZIP.

  3. 3

    Ask for the task

    No special command needed — the agent reads the skill's description and loads it when your request matches. Try one of the prompts above.

Get better results

  • Ask for only the components you need, since the guidance says to create directories only for components the plugin uses.
  • Review generated hook and MCP configurations before enabling them, because hooks run commands automatically and MCP servers start on plugin enable.
  • Keep API keys out of plugin files; the examples reference environment variables such as ${API_KEY} instead.

What's inside

  • examples/advanced-plugin.md
  • examples/minimal-plugin.md
  • examples/standard-plugin.md
  • README.md
  • references/component-patterns.md
  • references/manifest-reference.md
  • SKILL.md

Redistributed unmodified from anthropics/claude-plugins-official under the Apache-2.0 licence. The assessment was drafted with AI from the skill's files on 2026-10-29. Skills can instruct your agent to run code — read SKILL.md and any scripts before installing.