Where should the plugin.json manifest be located?

The plugin.json manifest MUST be located within the .claude-plugin/ directory at the root of your plugin folder.

What is the benefit of using ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}?

It provides a portable way to reference files within your plugin, ensuring it works regardless of the user's operating system or installation path.

Can I use multiple directories for my agents or commands?

Yes, you can specify custom paths or arrays of paths in your plugin.json manifest to supplement the default auto-discovery directories.

What is the difference between a command and a skill in Claude Code?

Commands are user-invoked via slash commands, whereas skills are autonomously activated by Claude based on the context of the user's task.

How does Claude Code discover my custom commands?

Claude Code automatically scans the commands/ directory at your plugin root for .md files containing valid YAML frontmatter.

Claude Code Plugin Architect

Name: Claude Code Plugin Architect
Author: Microck

byMicrock

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122

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Developer Tools

Guides the creation and organization of Claude Code plugins using standardized directory structures and manifest configurations.

This skill serves as a comprehensive blueprint for developers building extensions for the Claude Code ecosystem. It provides precise guidance on scaffolding plugins, configuring the plugin.json manifest, and organizing components like commands, agents, and skills for automatic discovery. By emphasizing best practices such as portable path referencing with environment variables and modular file naming, this skill ensures that your plugins are maintainable, professional-grade, and compatible across different operating systems and installation environments.

Key Features

01Portable path management using ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}

02122 GitHub stars

03Best practices for naming conventions and plugin portability

04Event-driven hook registration and MCP server integration

05Comprehensive manifest (plugin.json) configuration guidance

06Standardized directory layout for automatic component discovery

Use Cases

01Migrating standalone scripts into a structured, auto-discoverable plugin

02Configuring complex event hooks and MCP servers for advanced workflows

03Scaffolding a new Claude Code plugin with the correct directory hierarchy

What are Skills?·How to Install

Install with 🐟 Skill.Fish

npx skillfish add microck/ordinary-claude-skills command-name

For use in Claude.ai and ChatGPT

Download Skill