How to Install Ponytail for Claude Code: A Step-by-Step Guide

To install Ponytail for Claude Code, execute /plugin marketplace add DietrichGebert/ponytail followed by /plugin install ponytail@ponytail in your Claude Code prompt; the plugin automatically loads its lifecycle hooks and requires no additional configuration.

Ponytail integrates with Claude Code as a plugin that injects contextual rulesets into every LLM turn. According to the DietrichGebert/ponytail repository, the installation process leverages Claude Code's native plugin marketplace to register and activate the tool's session management hooks.

Installation Steps

Installing Ponytail requires two sequential commands in the Claude Code interface. These commands register the plugin source and instantiate the runtime components.

Add the Plugin to Your Marketplace

First, register the Ponytail repository with Claude Code's plugin marketplace:

/plugin marketplace add DietrichGebert/ponytail

This command tells Claude Code where to locate the plugin's manifest and source files. As documented in the repository's README.md, this step is required before the plugin can be instantiated in your environment.

Install the Plugin

Next, install the plugin using the marketplace identifier:

/plugin install ponytail@ponytail

The @ponytail suffix selects the latest version from the registered repository. According to the source code, this command pulls the plugin code into your Claude Code environment and registers the Ponytail skill set, making the /ponytail command available immediately.

Verify the Installation

After executing both commands, verify that Ponytail is active by checking for the /ponytail command in your interface. The command should appear in the + button → Plugins menu, or you can type /ponytail directly in the prompt box.

The plugin's lifecycle hooks—including ponytail-activate.js and ponytail-mode-tracker.js—activate automatically, injecting the Ponytail ruleset on every subsequent LLM turn without manual intervention.

Plugin Architecture and Key Files

Understanding the underlying files confirms that installation establishes several critical components:

• hooks/ponytail-activate.js: The SessionStart hook that auto-activates Ponytail when Claude Code initializes a new session.
• hooks/ponytail-mode-tracker.js: Tracks the current Ponytail mode and injects contextual rules on every prompt.
• hooks/ponytail-config.js: Reads optional environment variables such as PONYTAIL_DEFAULT_MODE to customize behavior.
• skills/ponytail-help/SKILL.md: Defines the documentation and structure for the /ponytail commands visible in the Claude Code UI.

These files work together to ensure that once installed, Ponytail operates transparently within your Claude Code workflow.

Optional Configuration

While no additional configuration is required for basic operation, you can customize Ponytail's default behavior by setting environment variables before starting Claude Code. The hooks/ponytail-config.js file reads PONYTAIL_DEFAULT_MODE to establish a persistent mode across sessions, though this step remains entirely optional.

Summary

• Installation requires two commands: /plugin marketplace add DietrichGebert/ponytail followed by /plugin install ponytail@ponytail.
• Automatic activation: The hooks/ponytail-activate.js file ensures Ponytail loads immediately upon session start.
• Zero configuration: The plugin works out-of-the-box, with optional customization via PONYTAIL_DEFAULT_MODE.
• Command availability: After installation, /ponytail commands are accessible through the UI or direct text input.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is post-installation configuration required to use Ponytail?

No. According to the DietrichGebert/ponytail source code, the plugin operates immediately after installation without requiring configuration files or manual setup. The lifecycle hooks in hooks/ponytail-activate.js handle activation automatically.

Which files handle the automatic activation of Ponytail?

The hooks/ponytail-activate.js file contains the SessionStart hook that triggers when Claude Code initializes, while hooks/ponytail-mode-tracker.js maintains state across prompts. These scripts reside in the hooks/ directory and execute automatically after you run the installation commands.

How can I set a default mode for Ponytail sessions?

Set the PONYTAIL_DEFAULT_MODE environment variable before launching Claude Code. The hooks/ponytail-config.js file reads this variable during initialization to establish your preferred mode across all sessions, though this remains entirely optional.

Where are the Ponytail slash commands documented?

Command documentation lives in skills/ponytail-help/SKILL.md within the repository. This file defines the /ponytail command structure and help text displayed in the Claude Code UI after installation.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "instagit": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "instagit@latest"]
    }
  }
}