How to Install a Plugin for Claude Code from the Community Repository

You install a plugin for Claude Code by first registering the community marketplace with claude plugin marketplace add anthropics/claude-plugins-community, then installing specific plugins using claude plugin install <plugin-name>@claude-community.

The anthropics/claude-plugins-community repository maintains a read-only marketplace of community-built extensions that enhance Claude Code's functionality. To install a plugin for Claude Code from this collection, you must register the repository as a marketplace source and reference plugins using the @claude-community suffix. This two-step process leverages the centralized .claude-plugin/marketplace.json file to discover and load validated plugins safely into your IDE.

Understanding the Plugin Marketplace Structure

Claude Code discovers available plugins through the marketplace descriptor located at .claude-plugin/marketplace.json in the community repository. This JSON file enumerates every validated plugin—including "quickdesign", "agent-memory", and "10x-shopping"—along with metadata required for installation. Each entry contains a source block that specifies the Git URL and sub-directory path, enabling Claude Code to locate the plugin's files regardless of their repository location.

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

Step 1 – Add the Community Marketplace

Before installing individual plugins, register the community repository as a trusted marketplace source. Run this command once per environment:

claude plugin marketplace add anthropics/claude-plugins-community

This command instructs Claude Code to read the marketplace.json file from the anthropics/claude-plugins-community repository and cache the available plugin index.

Step 2 – Install the Plugin by Name

Once the marketplace is registered, install any listed plugin by appending the @claude-community suffix to trigger the marketplace lookup:

claude plugin install quickdesign@claude-community

When executed, the CLI queries the marketplace JSON for the plugin entry, clones the specified repository (or sub-directory), and registers the plugin's .claude-plugin/plugin.json descriptor so Claude Code can load the skill set.

Verify the Installation

Confirm successful activation by listing all installed plugins:

claude plugin list

The output displays active plugins, including the newly installed community extension.

How Plugin Discovery Works

The installation process relies on two critical JSON files. First, the marketplace descriptor (.claude-plugin/marketplace.json) acts as the master catalog, mapping plugin names to their source locations. Second, each plugin contains a plugin descriptor (e.g., quickdesign/.claude-plugin/plugin.json) that defines the entry point, author, and version.

When you specify @claude-community, Claude Code restricts its search to entries within the registered community marketplace. The system then follows the source block to fetch the code—handling sub-directory paths automatically without requiring additional flags—and validates the local plugin.json before loading the plugin into the IDE.

Summary

• Register the community marketplace once using claude plugin marketplace add anthropics/claude-plugins-community.
• Install specific plugins with claude plugin install <plugin-name>@claude-community.
• The marketplace file .claude-plugin/marketplace.json serves as the authoritative index of available community plugins.
• Each plugin requires a valid .claude-plugin/plugin.json descriptor in its directory to define metadata and entry points.
• Use claude plugin list to verify that Claude Code successfully loaded the plugin.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the @claude-community suffix?

The @claude-community suffix tells Claude Code to search the registered community marketplace (specifically the anthropics/claude-plugins-community repository) for the plugin entry rather than querying other configured marketplaces or default sources.

Can I install plugins that reside in repository sub-directories?

Yes. Most community plugins reside in sub-directories such as quickdesign/ or agent-memory/. The install command works without additional flags because the source block in .claude-plugin/marketplace.json contains the specific Git URL and path information required to locate the files.

Where does Claude Code store plugin metadata?

Claude Code reads plugin metadata from the plugin.json file located at .claude-plugin/plugin.json within each plugin's directory. According to the anthropics/claude-plugins-community source code, this file provides essential details including the plugin's name, author, version, and entry points required for initialization.

Do I need to add the marketplace before every plugin installation?

No. You only need to run claude plugin marketplace add anthropics/claude-plugins-community once per development environment. After initial registration, the marketplace persists, allowing you to install, update, or remove individual plugins without re-adding the source repository.

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