What Are Claude Code Plugins?
Plugins are shareable packages that bundle commands, agents, hooks, and MCP servers into single installable units.
The Problem Plugins Solve
Before plugins, setting up Claude Code with custom commands, agents, and integrations meant scattered configuration files across different projects. When teammates asked "How do I set up the same thing?", reproducing your setup was tedious and error-prone.
Plugins solve this
Bundle all your customizations into shareable packages that install with a single command. Share with your team or use across your own projects.
Plugin Components
Plugins can include any combination of these four component types:
Commands
Slash commands that provide shortcuts for common tasks
Commands are custom shortcuts you can invoke with a forward slash (/) in Claude Code. They execute predefined workflows, from simple text expansions to complex automation scripts.
Example: /deploy - Deploy your application to production
Agents
Specialized AI agents that handle specific tasks
Subagents are Claude instances configured with specific expertise. They can handle specialized tasks like code review, testing, or database management with domain-specific knowledge.
Example: security-reviewer - Specialized agent for security audits
Hooks
Event-triggered workflows at specific lifecycle points
Hooks let plugins run custom scripts automatically at specific points in your workflow - before commits, after saves, or during other Claude Code operations.
Example: pre-commit hook - Run tests before every commit
MCP Servers
Connections to external tools and data sources
Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers provide standardized connections to external services like databases, APIs, cloud providers, and development tools.
Example: GitHub MCP - Access repositories and pull requests
Plugins vs. Individual Components
Single commands, agents, or MCP servers configured manually
- •One component at a time
- •Manual configuration required
- •Harder to share with others
Bundled collections that work together seamlessly
- ✓Multiple components in one package
- ✓One-command installation
- ✓Easy to share and standardize
Real-World Example
Imagine you're working on a web application that needs deployment automation. A DevOps plugin might include:
/deploy command
One-command secure deployments
Infrastructure agent
Specialized knowledge of your cloud setup
Cloud provider MCP
Direct connections to AWS/Vercel/etc.
Pre-deployment hook
Run security scans before every deployment
/plugin install devops-suite and get the complete automation stackNext Steps
Now that you understand what plugins are, learn how to install and use them.