Claude Code Plugin Structure FAQs

Question 1

Where should the Claude Code plugin manifest be located?

Accepted Answer

The plugin.json manifest must be placed inside a directory named .claude-plugin/ at the root of your plugin directory.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Commands are user-invoked slash commands, while skills are domain-specific guidance that Claude autonomously activates based on the task context.

Question 3

Does Claude Code support automatic component discovery?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Claude Code automatically scans standard directories like commands/, agents/, and skills/ for relevant markdown files and configurations.

Question 4

Can I use custom directories for my plugin components?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 5

How do I ensure my plugin works on different operating systems?

Accepted Answer

Always use the ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT} environment variable for intra-plugin path references instead of hardcoded absolute paths.

Claude Code Plugin Structure