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Plugin Forge

OrganizationPopular
softaworks
plugin-forge

Create and manage Claude Code plugins with proper structure, manifests, and marketplace integration. Use when creating plugins for a marketplace, adding plugin components (commands, agents, hooks), bumping plugin versions, or working with plugin.json/marketplace.json manifests.

Overview

Publishersoftaworks
Repositoryagent-toolkit
Skill nameplugin-forge
Stars
2.5K
Forks
226
Bundled files
5
LicenseMIT
Links
  • Markdown instructions

    A SKILL.md file the model loads on demand, so it only costs tokens when a request actually matches.

  • Works with any LLM

    AI skills are plain Markdown, not provider-specific code, so this works with GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model.

  • 5 bundled files

    Scripts, templates, and references the model can read while it works. Files are read-only and never executed.

  • Open source

    Published by softaworks on GitHub. Read the source before you install it.

Installation

Install the Plugin Forge AI skill in TypingMind to use it with any LLM, or drop it into another agent that reads SKILL.md.

1

Install in TypingMind

TypingMind installs a skill straight from its GitHub folder — it reads SKILL.md, bundles the resource files, and stores the result locally.

  1. Open the app and go to Plugins → Skills.
  2. Choose "Install from GitHub".
  3. Paste the skill folder URL below and confirm.
  4. Enable the skill in any chat where you want it available.
Plugins → Skills → Add skill → From GitHub URL, then paste the folder URL and press Continue.
2

Install in another agent

Any agent that reads the Agent Skills format can use this skill — copy the folder into that agent's skills directory.

Claude Code — .claude/skills
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/softaworks/agent-toolkit.git /tmp/agent-toolkit
mkdir -p .claude/skills
cp -r /tmp/agent-toolkit/skills/plugin-forge .claude/skills/plugin-forge
Restart Claude Code after copying so it picks up the new skill.

Use it in TypingMind

Enable Plugin Forge in any TypingMind chat and the model takes it from there. Its name and description sit in the system prompt, and the moment a request matches, the model loads the full instructions itself — you never invoke it by hand, and it costs no tokens until it is actually used.

The model loads Plugin Forge on its own as soon as a request matches it.

Works with any AI model

AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so Plugin Forge is not tied to the model it was written for. Install it once in TypingMind and use it with GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama, or a local model you run yourself — all on your own API keys.

  • Loaded only when it is needed

    The system prompt carries just the name and description. The instructions are fetched on the first matching request, so an idle skill costs nothing.

  • Switch models mid-chat

    Because the skill is instructions rather than code, changing model does not break it — the next model reads the same SKILL.md.

Skill instructions

This is the SKILL.md content the model loads. Read it before installing — a skill is instructions your model will follow.

CC Plugin Forge

Purpose

Build and manage Claude Code plugins with correct structure, manifests, and marketplace integration. Includes workflows, automation scripts, and reference docs.

When to Use

  • Creating new plugins for a marketplace
  • Adding/modifying plugin components (commands, skills, agents, hooks)
  • Updating plugin versions
  • Working with plugin or marketplace manifests
  • Setting up local plugin testing
  • Publishing plugins

Getting Started

Create New Plugin

Use create_plugin.py to generate plugin structure:

bash
python scripts/create_plugin.py plugin-name \
  --marketplace-root /path/to/marketplace \
  --author-name "Your Name" \
  --author-email "your.email@example.com" \
  --description "Plugin description" \
  --keywords "keyword1,keyword2" \
  --category "productivity"

This automatically:

  • Creates plugin directory structure
  • Generates plugin.json manifest
  • Creates README template
  • Updates marketplace.json

Bump Version

Use bump_version.py to update versions in both manifests:

bash
python scripts/bump_version.py plugin-name major|minor|patch \
  --marketplace-root /path/to/marketplace

Semantic versioning:

  • major: Breaking changes (1.0.0 → 2.0.0)
  • minor: New features, refactoring (1.0.0 → 1.1.0)
  • patch: Bug fixes, docs (1.0.0 → 1.0.1)

Development Workflow

1. Create Structure

Manual approach (if not using script):

bash
mkdir -p plugins/plugin-name/.claude-plugin
mkdir -p plugins/plugin-name/commands
mkdir -p plugins/plugin-name/skills

2. Plugin Manifest

File: plugins/plugin-name/.claude-plugin/plugin.json

json
{
  "name": "plugin-name",
  "version": "0.1.0",
  "description": "Plugin description",
  "author": {
    "name": "Your Name",
    "email": "your.email@example.com"
  },
  "keywords": ["keyword1", "keyword2"]
}

3. Register in Marketplace

Update .claude-plugin/marketplace.json:

json
{
  "name": "plugin-name",
  "source": "./plugins/plugin-name",
  "description": "Plugin description",
  "version": "0.1.0",
  "keywords": ["keyword1", "keyword2"],
  "category": "productivity"
}

4. Add Components

Create in respective directories:

ComponentLocationFormat
Commandscommands/Markdown with frontmatter
Skillsskills/<name>/Directory with SKILL.md
Agentsagents/Markdown definitions
Hookshooks/hooks.jsonEvent handlers
MCP Servers.mcp.jsonExternal integrations

5. Local Testing

bash
# Add marketplace
/plugin marketplace add /path/to/marketplace-root

# Install plugin
/plugin install plugin-name@marketplace-name

# After changes: reinstall
/plugin uninstall plugin-name@marketplace-name
/plugin install plugin-name@marketplace-name

Plugin Patterns

Framework Plugin

For framework-specific guidance (React, Vue, etc.):

plugins/framework-name/
├── .claude-plugin/plugin.json
├── skills/
│   └── framework-name/
│       ├── SKILL.md
│       └── references/
├── commands/
│   └── prime/
│       ├── components.md
│       └── framework.md
└── README.md

Utility Plugin

For tools and commands:

plugins/utility-name/
├── .claude-plugin/plugin.json
├── commands/
│   ├── action1.md
│   └── action2.md
└── README.md

Domain Plugin

For domain-specific knowledge:

plugins/domain-name/
├── .claude-plugin/plugin.json
├── skills/
│   └── domain-name/
│       ├── SKILL.md
│       ├── references/
│       └── scripts/
└── README.md

Command Naming

Subdirectory-based namespacing with : separator:

  • commands/namespace/command.md/namespace:command
  • commands/simple.md/simple

Examples:

  • commands/prime/vue.md/prime:vue
  • commands/docs/generate.md/docs:generate

Version Management

Important: Update version in BOTH locations:

  1. plugins/<name>/.claude-plugin/plugin.json
  2. .claude-plugin/marketplace.json

Use bump_version.py to automate.

Git Commits

Use conventional commits:

bash
git commit -m "feat: add new plugin"
git commit -m "fix: correct plugin manifest"
git commit -m "docs: update plugin README"
git commit -m "feat!: breaking change"

Reference Docs

Detailed documentation included:

ReferenceContent
references/plugin-structure.mdDirectory structure, manifest schema, components
references/marketplace-schema.mdMarketplace format, plugin entries, distribution
references/workflows.mdStep-by-step workflows, patterns, publishing

Scripts

ScriptPurpose
scripts/create_plugin.pyScaffold new plugin
scripts/bump_version.pyUpdate versions

Bundled files

The model reads these on demand while the skill is loaded. They are exposed as readable files and are never executed.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Plugin Forge AI skill do?

Create and manage Claude Code plugins with proper structure, manifests, and marketplace integration. Use when creating plugins for a marketplace, adding plugin components (commands, agents, hooks), bumping plugin versions, or working with plugin.json/marketplace.json manifests.

Why use Plugin Forge on TypingMind?

Because you install it once and use it with any model. Plugin Forge is plain Markdown rather than provider-specific code, so the same skill runs on GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Grok, or a local model — and you can switch model mid-chat without it breaking. TypingMind runs on your own API keys, so you pay providers directly instead of a per-seat subscription, and your skills and chats stay in your own storage.

How do I install Plugin Forge in TypingMind?

Open Plugins → Skills → Install from GitHub in TypingMind and paste https://github.com/softaworks/agent-toolkit/tree/main/skills/plugin-forge. TypingMind reads its SKILL.md and bundles its files and installs it as a skill you can enable per chat.

Which AI models can use Plugin Forge?

Any model you connect in TypingMind. AI skills are plain Markdown instructions rather than provider-specific code, so GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and local models can all load this skill when a request matches it.

How many AI models can I use with Plugin Forge?

As many as you like. As long as a model supports skills, you can use Plugin Forge with it — GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Mistral, Llama and more — all on TypingMind with your own API keys.

Is the Plugin Forge AI skill free?

Yes. It is published on GitHub by softaworks under the MIT license. You only pay your own AI provider for the tokens you use.

What are AI skills?

An AI skill is a reusable instruction bundle that teaches an AI model how to do one specific task. It follows the open Agent Skills format: a SKILL.md file with a name and description, plus any scripts, templates or reference files the model may need. The model reads the instructions only when your request matches the skill, so an installed skill costs nothing until it is used.

How are AI skills different from plugins or MCP servers?

A plugin or MCP server gives a model new tools to call — code that runs somewhere and returns a result. An AI skill gives the model knowledge and process instead: how to approach a task, which steps to follow, what good output looks like. Skills are plain Markdown, so they need no server, no API key and no runtime, and they work with any model.

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