Plugin Installation

Guide users through installing and configuring Claude Code plugins.

When to Use This Skill

Activate this skill when the user:

• Wants to install a specific plugin
• Asks how to add a plugin
• Needs help with plugin setup
• Wants to update installed plugins
• Has installation issues or errors

Installation Methods

1. From Marketplace (Recommended)

Install plugins directly from the registry:

/plugin-marketplace:install @scope/plugin-name

This will:

• Download the plugin from the registry
• Verify the plugin signature
• Install to the appropriate location
• Display any configuration instructions

2. From Git Repository

For plugins not in the registry or development versions:

# Clone to plugins directory
git clone https://github.com/org/plugin-name ~/.claude/plugins/plugin-name

# Or for project-specific
git clone https://github.com/org/plugin-name .claude/plugins/plugin-name

3. Local Development

For testing local plugins:

# Symlink to plugins directory
ln -s /path/to/my-plugin ~/.claude/plugins/my-plugin

Installation Locations

Location	Scope	Path
User	All projects	~/.claude/plugins/
Project	Current project	.claude/plugins/

Priority: Project plugins override user plugins with the same name.

Installation Process

Step 1: Verify Plugin

Before installing, check:

• Plugin exists in registry or valid git URL
• Compatible with current Claude Code version
• Review permissions required

Step 2: Install

Run the install command:

/plugin-marketplace:install @scope/plugin-name

Step 3: Verify Installation

Confirm the plugin is installed:

/plugin-marketplace:list

Step 4: Configure (if needed)

Some plugins require configuration. Create settings file:

.claude/plugin-name.local.md

Step 5: Test

Verify the plugin works:

• Try a plugin command
• Check if skills are available
• Review any hooks that were added

Handling Permissions

Plugins may request permissions. Explain each:

Permission	Risk	Description
filesystem:read	Medium	Read files from disk
filesystem:write	High	Write/modify files
network	Medium	Make HTTP requests
execute	High	Run shell commands
mcp	Medium	Connect to MCP servers

Always review permissions before installing.

Troubleshooting

Plugin Not Found

Error: Plugin @scope/plugin-name not found in registry

Solutions:

• Check spelling of plugin name
• Verify the plugin exists in the marketplace
• Try installing from git URL directly

Permission Denied

Error: Permission denied writing to plugins directory

Solutions:

• Check directory permissions
• Use sudo for system-wide install (not recommended)
• Install to project directory instead

Version Conflict

Error: Plugin requires Claude Code >= 2.0.0

Solutions:

• Update Claude Code to latest version
• Install an older plugin version
• Check plugin compatibility notes

Invalid Plugin Structure

Error: Missing .claude-plugin/plugin.json

Solutions:

• Verify the plugin has correct structure
• Check if cloning the right branch
• Report issue to plugin maintainer

Updating Plugins

Update Single Plugin

/plugin-marketplace:update @scope/plugin-name

Update All Plugins

/plugin-marketplace:update --all

Check for Updates

/plugin-marketplace:list --outdated

Best Practices

1. Review before installing - Check plugin source and permissions
2. Start with official plugins - They're verified and maintained
3. Use project scope for project-specific plugins - Keeps system clean
4. Keep plugins updated - Security and bug fixes
5. Remove unused plugins - Reduce potential conflicts

Example Interaction

User: "Install the git-assistant plugin"

Response: I'll install the @claude/git-assistant plugin for you.

/plugin-marketplace:install @claude/git-assistant

✅ Plugin installed successfully!

What's included:

• Commands: /git-assistant:commit, /git-assistant:pr
• Skills: Automatic commit message generation
• Hooks: Pre-commit validation

Permissions granted:

• execute - Run git commands
• filesystem:read - Read git history

Would you like me to show you how to use it?