Claude plugins: what they are and how to install them
Claude plugins are bundles of skills, slash commands, agents, hooks and MCP servers that you install to give Claude Code and Claude new abilities. You find them in plugin marketplaces, such as Anthropic's official marketplace on GitHub and the plugin pages of the Claude Marketplace, which had 342 plugin pages in October 2026.
A connector links Claude to one outside app. A plugin can hold a connector, plus the skills and commands that use it. In Claude Code, you add a plugin with one command. If your plugin includes a connector, get it found in Claude's directory from day one.
Six parts a Claude plugin can hold
Mix any of them in one package.
A plugin is a folder with a manifest. It can hold any of these parts.
- Skills. Instructions and files that Claude loads when a task needs them, such as a style guide or a review checklist.
- Slash commands. Short commands you type, such as
/commit, that run a saved prompt. - Agents. Subagents with their own instructions and tools, for one job like code review.
- Hooks. Scripts that run at set moments, for example before Claude edits a file or after a tool call.
- MCP servers. Connections to outside tools and data, so Claude can read or change things in other apps.
- Manifest. One file with the plugin's name, version and parts, so Claude Code knows what to load.
Claude plugins vs connectors vs MCP servers
Three names that overlap.
| Claude plugin | Claude connector | MCP server | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | A bundle of skills, commands, agents, hooks and MCP servers | A listed link from Claude to one outside app | A program that gives an AI client tools and data over the Model Context Protocol |
| Where you get it | Plugin marketplaces (official GitHub repo, Claude Marketplace, community lists) | The connector directory in Claude settings | Registries such as the official MCP Registry, or a URL |
| Where it runs | Claude Code, and Claude where plugins are shown | Claude web, desktop, mobile, API and Claude Code | Any MCP client |
| Who it is for | Teams that want a full setup in one install | Anyone who wants Claude to use an app | Developers who build or host tools |
Use a connector when you only need one app. Use a plugin when you also want the skills and commands around it. To go deeper, read about the difference between a connector and MCP.
How to install a Claude plugin in Claude Code
Four steps from marketplace to running.
- Add a marketplace. In Claude Code, run
/plugin marketplace add anthropics/claude-plugins-official. - Browse. Run
/pluginand open the list of plugins in that marketplace. - Install. Pick a plugin and choose install. You can install for yourself or for the project.
- Restart and check. Restart Claude Code, then run
/helpto see the new commands.
Three places to get Claude plugins
- Anthropic's official marketplace. The GitHub repo
anthropics/claude-plugins-officialholds plugins made or checked by Anthropic. - The Claude Marketplace. claude.com lists plugin pages next to connectors. Our sitemap count found 342 plugin pages on 2026-10-03.
- Community marketplaces. Any GitHub repo with a marketplace file can be added with the same command.
A plugin can run scripts and hooks on your computer. Read the files before you install a plugin from a source you do not know.
Six Claude plugins to start with
Picks from the official marketplace, sorted by task.
- Commit commands (dev). Writes commit messages and opens pull requests from Claude Code.
- Feature dev (dev). Walks Claude through plan, build and review for a new feature.
- Security guidance (dev). Warns about risky code patterns while Claude edits files.
- Frontend design (design). Gives Claude design rules so new UI looks less generic.
- Code review (dev). Runs review agents on a branch and reports issues by severity.
For apps you connect, see the most popular Claude connectors, ranked by Anthropic's own score.
Claude plugin pricing and plan access
Plugins in the official marketplace cost nothing to install. You still need a Claude plan that includes Claude Code to run them.
Does Claude Pro include plugins?
Yes. Claude Pro includes Claude Code, so Pro users can add marketplaces and install plugins.
Publishing your own Claude plugin
For teams that build on Claude.
To share a plugin, put it in a GitHub repo with a marketplace file, or submit it to Anthropic. If your plugin includes a connector, it also goes through Anthropic's connector review. Learn how Claude connectors work and then how to submit a Claude connector.
Shipping a plugin with a connector? Get your connector discovered in Claude's directory. gaintage tracks where your listing ranks in directory search and in each category, and how often Claude suggests it in chats.
Next, learn to use MCP servers in Claude Code.
Frequently asked questions
What are plugins in Claude?
Plugins are packages that add skills, slash commands, agents, hooks and MCP servers to Claude Code. You install one with the /plugin command.
Where can I get plugins for Claude?
From Anthropic's official marketplace on GitHub, from the plugin pages of the Claude Marketplace, and from community marketplaces on GitHub.
What are the best plugins for Claude?
For developers, start with commit commands, feature dev and security guidance from the official marketplace. Pick the rest by the task you do most.
Are Claude plugins the same as connectors?
No. A connector links Claude to one app. A plugin is a bundle that can include a connector plus skills and commands.