aboutsummaryrefslogtreecommitdiffstats
path: root/.agents/skills/plugin-structure/references/manifest-reference.md
diff options
context:
space:
mode:
authorsillylaird <sillyfanboy@gmail.com>2026-09-03 00:33:59 +0000
committersillylaird <sillyfanboy@gmail.com>2026-09-03 00:33:59 +0000
commit898b52edcb47bcb3e9d6106e74ca73e74ea01e70 (patch)
tree85c6ee5ad58b860144551184d4cf86b560c62b91 /.agents/skills/plugin-structure/references/manifest-reference.md
downloadwww-main.tar.gz
www-main.zip
import live www.sillylaird.ca webrootHEADmain
Diffstat (limited to '')
-rw-r--r--.agents/skills/plugin-structure/references/manifest-reference.md552
1 files changed, 552 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/.agents/skills/plugin-structure/references/manifest-reference.md b/.agents/skills/plugin-structure/references/manifest-reference.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..40c9c2f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.agents/skills/plugin-structure/references/manifest-reference.md
@@ -0,0 +1,552 @@
+# Plugin Manifest Reference
+
+Complete reference for `plugin.json` configuration.
+
+## File Location
+
+**Required path**: `.claude-plugin/plugin.json`
+
+The manifest MUST be in the `.claude-plugin/` directory at the plugin root. Claude Code will not recognize plugins without this file in the correct location.
+
+## Complete Field Reference
+
+### Core Fields
+
+#### name (required)
+
+**Type**: String
+**Format**: kebab-case
+**Example**: `"test-automation-suite"`
+
+The unique identifier for the plugin. Used for:
+- Plugin identification in Claude Code
+- Conflict detection with other plugins
+- Command namespacing (optional)
+
+**Requirements**:
+- Must be unique across all installed plugins
+- Use only lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens
+- No spaces or special characters
+- Start with a letter
+- End with a letter or number
+
+**Validation**:
+```javascript
+/^[a-z][a-z0-9]*(-[a-z0-9]+)*$/
+```
+
+**Examples**:
+- ✅ Good: `api-tester`, `code-review`, `git-workflow-automation`
+- ❌ Bad: `API Tester`, `code_review`, `-git-workflow`, `test-`
+
+#### version
+
+**Type**: String
+**Format**: Semantic versioning (MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH)
+**Example**: `"2.1.0"`
+**Default**: `"0.1.0"` if not specified
+
+Semantic versioning guidelines:
+- **MAJOR**: Incompatible API changes, breaking changes
+- **MINOR**: New functionality, backward-compatible
+- **PATCH**: Bug fixes, backward-compatible
+
+**Pre-release versions**:
+- `"1.0.0-alpha.1"` - Alpha release
+- `"1.0.0-beta.2"` - Beta release
+- `"1.0.0-rc.1"` - Release candidate
+
+**Examples**:
+- `"0.1.0"` - Initial development
+- `"1.0.0"` - First stable release
+- `"1.2.3"` - Patch update to 1.2
+- `"2.0.0"` - Major version with breaking changes
+
+#### description
+
+**Type**: String
+**Length**: 50-200 characters recommended
+**Example**: `"Automates code review workflows with style checks and automated feedback"`
+
+Brief explanation of plugin purpose and functionality.
+
+**Best practices**:
+- Focus on what the plugin does, not how
+- Use active voice
+- Mention key features or benefits
+- Keep under 200 characters for marketplace display
+
+**Examples**:
+- ✅ "Generates comprehensive test suites from code analysis and coverage reports"
+- ✅ "Integrates with Jira for automatic issue tracking and sprint management"
+- ❌ "A plugin that helps you do testing stuff"
+- ❌ "This is a very long description that goes on and on about every single feature..."
+
+### Metadata Fields
+
+#### author
+
+**Type**: Object
+**Fields**: name (required), email (optional), url (optional)
+
+```json
+{
+ "author": {
+ "name": "Jane Developer",
+ "email": "jane@example.com",
+ "url": "https://janedeveloper.com"
+ }
+}
+```
+
+**Alternative format** (string only):
+```json
+{
+ "author": "Jane Developer <jane@example.com> (https://janedeveloper.com)"
+}
+```
+
+**Use cases**:
+- Credit and attribution
+- Contact for support or questions
+- Marketplace display
+- Community recognition
+
+#### homepage
+
+**Type**: String (URL)
+**Example**: `"https://docs.example.com/plugins/my-plugin"`
+
+Link to plugin documentation or landing page.
+
+**Should point to**:
+- Plugin documentation site
+- Project homepage
+- Detailed usage guide
+- Installation instructions
+
+**Not for**:
+- Source code (use `repository` field)
+- Issue tracker (include in documentation)
+- Personal websites (use `author.url`)
+
+#### repository
+
+**Type**: String (URL) or Object
+**Example**: `"https://github.com/user/plugin-name"`
+
+Source code repository location.
+
+**String format**:
+```json
+{
+ "repository": "https://github.com/user/plugin-name"
+}
+```
+
+**Object format** (detailed):
+```json
+{
+ "repository": {
+ "type": "git",
+ "url": "https://github.com/user/plugin-name.git",
+ "directory": "packages/plugin-name"
+ }
+}
+```
+
+**Use cases**:
+- Source code access
+- Issue reporting
+- Community contributions
+- Transparency and trust
+
+#### license
+
+**Type**: String
+**Format**: SPDX identifier
+**Example**: `"MIT"`
+
+Software license identifier.
+
+**Common licenses**:
+- `"MIT"` - Permissive, popular choice
+- `"Apache-2.0"` - Permissive with patent grant
+- `"GPL-3.0"` - Copyleft
+- `"BSD-3-Clause"` - Permissive
+- `"ISC"` - Permissive, similar to MIT
+- `"UNLICENSED"` - Proprietary, not open source
+
+**Full list**: https://spdx.org/licenses/
+
+**Multiple licenses**:
+```json
+{
+ "license": "(MIT OR Apache-2.0)"
+}
+```
+
+#### keywords
+
+**Type**: Array of strings
+**Example**: `["testing", "automation", "ci-cd", "quality-assurance"]`
+
+Tags for plugin discovery and categorization.
+
+**Best practices**:
+- Use 5-10 keywords
+- Include functionality categories
+- Add technology names
+- Use common search terms
+- Avoid duplicating plugin name
+
+**Categories to consider**:
+- Functionality: `testing`, `debugging`, `documentation`, `deployment`
+- Technologies: `typescript`, `python`, `docker`, `aws`
+- Workflows: `ci-cd`, `code-review`, `git-workflow`
+- Domains: `web-development`, `data-science`, `devops`
+
+### Component Path Fields
+
+#### commands
+
+**Type**: String or Array of strings
+**Default**: `["./commands"]`
+**Example**: `"./cli-commands"`
+
+Additional directories or files containing command definitions.
+
+**Single path**:
+```json
+{
+ "commands": "./custom-commands"
+}
+```
+
+**Multiple paths**:
+```json
+{
+ "commands": [
+ "./commands",
+ "./admin-commands",
+ "./experimental-commands"
+ ]
+}
+```
+
+**Behavior**: Supplements default `commands/` directory (does not replace)
+
+**Use cases**:
+- Organizing commands by category
+- Separating stable from experimental commands
+- Loading commands from shared locations
+
+#### agents
+
+**Type**: String or Array of strings
+**Default**: `["./agents"]`
+**Example**: `"./specialized-agents"`
+
+Additional directories or files containing agent definitions.
+
+**Format**: Same as `commands` field
+
+**Use cases**:
+- Grouping agents by specialization
+- Separating general-purpose from task-specific agents
+- Loading agents from plugin dependencies
+
+#### hooks
+
+**Type**: String (path to JSON file) or Object (inline configuration)
+**Default**: `"./hooks/hooks.json"`
+
+Hook configuration location or inline definition.
+
+**File path**:
+```json
+{
+ "hooks": "./config/hooks.json"
+}
+```
+
+**Inline configuration**:
+```json
+{
+ "hooks": {
+ "PreToolUse": [
+ {
+ "matcher": "Write",
+ "hooks": [
+ {
+ "type": "command",
+ "command": "bash ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/scripts/validate.sh",
+ "timeout": 30
+ }
+ ]
+ }
+ ]
+ }
+}
+```
+
+**Use cases**:
+- Simple plugins: Inline configuration (< 50 lines)
+- Complex plugins: External JSON file
+- Multiple hook sets: Separate files for different contexts
+
+#### mcpServers
+
+**Type**: String (path to JSON file) or Object (inline configuration)
+**Default**: `./.mcp.json`
+
+MCP server configuration location or inline definition.
+
+**File path**:
+```json
+{
+ "mcpServers": "./.mcp.json"
+}
+```
+
+**Inline configuration**:
+```json
+{
+ "mcpServers": {
+ "github": {
+ "command": "node",
+ "args": ["${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/servers/github-mcp.js"],
+ "env": {
+ "GITHUB_TOKEN": "${GITHUB_TOKEN}"
+ }
+ }
+ }
+}
+```
+
+**Use cases**:
+- Simple plugins: Single inline server (< 20 lines)
+- Complex plugins: External `.mcp.json` file
+- Multiple servers: Always use external file
+
+## Path Resolution
+
+### Relative Path Rules
+
+All paths in component fields must follow these rules:
+
+1. **Must be relative**: No absolute paths
+2. **Must start with `./`**: Indicates relative to plugin root
+3. **Cannot use `../`**: No parent directory navigation
+4. **Forward slashes only**: Even on Windows
+
+**Examples**:
+- ✅ `"./commands"`
+- ✅ `"./src/commands"`
+- ✅ `"./configs/hooks.json"`
+- ❌ `"/Users/name/plugin/commands"`
+- ❌ `"commands"` (missing `./`)
+- ❌ `"../shared/commands"`
+- ❌ `".\\commands"` (backslash)
+
+### Resolution Order
+
+When Claude Code loads components:
+
+1. **Default directories**: Scans standard locations first
+ - `./commands/`
+ - `./agents/`
+ - `./skills/`
+ - `./hooks/hooks.json`
+ - `./.mcp.json`
+
+2. **Custom paths**: Scans paths specified in manifest
+ - Paths from `commands` field
+ - Paths from `agents` field
+ - Files from `hooks` and `mcpServers` fields
+
+3. **Merge behavior**: Components from all locations load
+ - No overwriting
+ - All discovered components register
+ - Name conflicts cause errors
+
+## Validation
+
+### Manifest Validation
+
+Claude Code validates the manifest on plugin load:
+
+**Syntax validation**:
+- Valid JSON format
+- No syntax errors
+- Correct field types
+
+**Field validation**:
+- `name` field present and valid format
+- `version` follows semantic versioning (if present)
+- Paths are relative with `./` prefix
+- URLs are valid (if present)
+
+**Component validation**:
+- Referenced paths exist
+- Hook and MCP configurations are valid
+- No circular dependencies
+
+### Common Validation Errors
+
+**Invalid name format**:
+```json
+{
+ "name": "My Plugin" // ❌ Contains spaces
+}
+```
+Fix: Use kebab-case
+```json
+{
+ "name": "my-plugin" // ✅
+}
+```
+
+**Absolute path**:
+```json
+{
+ "commands": "/Users/name/commands" // ❌ Absolute path
+}
+```
+Fix: Use relative path
+```json
+{
+ "commands": "./commands" // ✅
+}
+```
+
+**Missing ./ prefix**:
+```json
+{
+ "hooks": "hooks/hooks.json" // ❌ No ./
+}
+```
+Fix: Add ./ prefix
+```json
+{
+ "hooks": "./hooks/hooks.json" // ✅
+}
+```
+
+**Invalid version**:
+```json
+{
+ "version": "1.0" // ❌ Not semantic versioning
+}
+```
+Fix: Use MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH
+```json
+{
+ "version": "1.0.0" // ✅
+}
+```
+
+## Minimal vs. Complete Examples
+
+### Minimal Plugin
+
+Bare minimum for a working plugin:
+
+```json
+{
+ "name": "hello-world"
+}
+```
+
+Relies entirely on default directory discovery.
+
+### Recommended Plugin
+
+Good metadata for distribution:
+
+```json
+{
+ "name": "code-review-assistant",
+ "version": "1.0.0",
+ "description": "Automates code review with style checks and suggestions",
+ "author": {
+ "name": "Jane Developer",
+ "email": "jane@example.com"
+ },
+ "homepage": "https://docs.example.com/code-review",
+ "repository": "https://github.com/janedev/code-review-assistant",
+ "license": "MIT",
+ "keywords": ["code-review", "automation", "quality", "ci-cd"]
+}
+```
+
+### Complete Plugin
+
+Full configuration with all features:
+
+```json
+{
+ "name": "enterprise-devops",
+ "version": "2.3.1",
+ "description": "Comprehensive DevOps automation for enterprise CI/CD pipelines",
+ "author": {
+ "name": "DevOps Team",
+ "email": "devops@company.com",
+ "url": "https://company.com/devops"
+ },
+ "homepage": "https://docs.company.com/plugins/devops",
+ "repository": {
+ "type": "git",
+ "url": "https://github.com/company/devops-plugin.git"
+ },
+ "license": "Apache-2.0",
+ "keywords": [
+ "devops",
+ "ci-cd",
+ "automation",
+ "kubernetes",
+ "docker",
+ "deployment"
+ ],
+ "commands": [
+ "./commands",
+ "./admin-commands"
+ ],
+ "agents": "./specialized-agents",
+ "hooks": "./config/hooks.json",
+ "mcpServers": "./.mcp.json"
+}
+```
+
+## Best Practices
+
+### Metadata
+
+1. **Always include version**: Track changes and updates
+2. **Write clear descriptions**: Help users understand plugin purpose
+3. **Provide contact information**: Enable user support
+4. **Link to documentation**: Reduce support burden
+5. **Choose appropriate license**: Match project goals
+
+### Paths
+
+1. **Use defaults when possible**: Minimize configuration
+2. **Organize logically**: Group related components
+3. **Document custom paths**: Explain why non-standard layout used
+4. **Test path resolution**: Verify on multiple systems
+
+### Maintenance
+
+1. **Bump version on changes**: Follow semantic versioning
+2. **Update keywords**: Reflect new functionality
+3. **Keep description current**: Match actual capabilities
+4. **Maintain changelog**: Track version history
+5. **Update repository links**: Keep URLs current
+
+### Distribution
+
+1. **Complete metadata before publishing**: All fields filled
+2. **Test on clean install**: Verify plugin works without dev environment
+3. **Validate manifest**: Use validation tools
+4. **Include README**: Document installation and usage
+5. **Specify license file**: Include LICENSE file in plugin root