Localized reading guide
create-cowork-pluginPurpose, usage and source
Guide users through creating a new plugin from scratch in a cowork session. Use when users want to create a plugin, build a plugin, make a new plugin, develop a plugin, scaffold a plugin, start a plugin from scratch, or design a plugin. This skill requires Cowork mode with access to the outputs directory for delivering the final .plugin file.
Source retrieved:
- Source repository
- anthropics/knowledge-work-plugins
- SKILL.md
cowork-plugin-management/skills/create-cowork-plugin/SKILL.md- Repository stars
- 34,049
- Repository updated
- 2026-10-30
- Categories
- Design
- Last collected
License: License file needs review
Workflow excerpts are reading aids, not executable instructions from Codez. No third-party Skill was run to produce this page.
The purpose and workflow passages below are upstream material, organized and translated for reading. They are distinct from the separately labeled Codez editorial analysis.
What this Skill does
Guide users through creating a new plugin from scratch in a cowork session. Use when users want to create a plugin, build a plugin, make a new plugin, develop a plugin, scaffold a plugin, start a plugin from scratch, or design a plugin. This skill requires Cowork mode with access to the outputs directory for delivering the final .plugin file.
How the upstream workflow works
Guided Workflow
When you ask the user something, use AskUserQuestion. Don't assume "industry standard" defaults are correct. Note: AskUserQuestion always includes a Skip button and a free-text input box for custom answers, so do not include None or Other as options.
Overview
A plugin is a self-contained directory that extends Claude's capabilities with skills, agents, hooks, and MCP server integrations. This skill encodes the full plugin architecture and a five-phase workflow for creating one conversationally. Discovery — understand what the user wants to build Component Planning — determine which component types are needed Design & Clarifying Questions — specify each component in detail
Upstream passage · L14 ↗Create Cowork Plugin
Build a new plugin from scratch through guided conversation. Walk the user through discovery, planning, design, implementation, and packaging — delivering a ready-to-install .plugin file at the end.
plugin-name/
├── .claude-plugin/
│ └── plugin.json # Required: plugin manifest
├── skills/ # Skills (subdirectories with SKILL.md)
│ └── skill-name/
│ ├── SKILL.md
│ └── references/
├── agents/ # Subagent definitions (.md files)
├── .mcp.json # MCP server definitions
└── README.md # Plugin documentationRequirements and setup
compatibility
Requires Cowork desktop app environment with access to the outputs directory for delivering .plugin files.
Upstream passage · L1 ↗Limits and quality checks
No separate limits passage was selected from this file. This does not mean the Skill is safe for every input or environment. Review the complete source and validate your own result.
Start with a safe trial
- Check the supported host and the repository installation instructions. Keep the Skill directory and its referenced scripts, assets and documentation together; SKILL.md alone may omit dependencies.
- Give the agent your real input, desired output and acceptance criteria. Invocation syntax and available tools depend on the host; this site does not assume a universal install command.
- Try the source workflow in a disposable project or on a copy. Review operations that change files, remote services or billable resources before allowing them.
- Validate the output against the source quality checks and your own requirements. A successful trigger or a high repository Star count does not establish a correct result.
Read further in the source
- Create Cowork Plugin
- Overview
- Directory Structure
- plugin.json Manifest
- Component Schemas
- Customizable plugins with
~~placeholders - ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT} Variable
- Guided Workflow
- Phase 1: Discovery
- Phase 2: Component Planning
- Phase 3: Design & Clarifying Questions
- Phase 4: Implementation
- Phase 5: Review & Package
- Best Practices
- Additional Resources
Related Skills
Translation and scope
This reading guide selects passages from the pinned upstream SKILL.md. Translation is assisted. It is not a complete manual or a claim of tested compatibility. Read the original and its referenced files before use.
This introduction refers to the pinned version below; current repository activity and collection time are shown separately.
- Pinned source
- Read the original ↗
- Source retrieved
- Source commit
2574e29377c7173d0cecffef29a6ecbd7f8ccb5d- Source SHA-256
4769717426502a5517ae9d512095b49c223cccb0223e20268dfa6a44ef18ab94