How to Configure Auto-Updates for the Claude Code Plugin Marketplace

Enable auto-updates for the go-modern-guidelines plugin in Claude Code by opening the Plugins view, selecting the goland-claude-marketplace, and checking the "Enable auto-update" option, or use the CLI commands claude plugin marketplace update and claude plugin update.

The JetBrains/go-modern-guidelines repository distributes the modern-go-guidelines plugin through a dedicated Claude Code marketplace called goland-claude-marketplace. By default, third-party marketplaces have auto-updates disabled, requiring manual configuration to receive the latest features and bug fixes automatically when Claude Code starts.

Enabling Auto-Updates via the Claude Code UI

The simplest way to configure auto-updates is through the Claude Code interface. This approach ensures the marketplace refreshes at startup and automatically applies new plugin versions as they become available.

Step-by-Step Configuration

1. Open the Plugins view by typing /plugin in the Claude Code interface.
2. Switch to the Marketplaces tab to view all configured plugin sources.
3. Select goland-claude-marketplace from the list of available marketplaces.
4. Tick the checkbox labeled Enable auto-update and confirm your selection.

Once enabled, Claude Code will automatically refresh the marketplace index during startup and download any newer version of the modern-go-guidelines plugin when it appears. You will only need to reload the plugins to activate the updated version. These steps are documented in the repository's README.md at lines 90-95.

Configuring Auto-Updates via the Command Line

If you prefer a terminal-only approach or need to script the update process, Claude Code provides CLI commands that invoke the same underlying logic as the UI. According to README.md (lines 102-107) and implemented in internal/cli/cli.go, you can manage updates manually using the following commands.

Refresh the Marketplace Index

Force a re-scan of the dedicated marketplace to ensure you have the latest plugin metadata:

claude plugin marketplace update goland-claude-marketplace

Update the Plugin Manually

Pull the newest version of the modern-go-guidelines plugin and prepare it for activation:

claude plugin update modern-go-guidelines@goland-claude-marketplace

These commands directly call the implementation in internal/cli/cli.go, which handles the marketplace synchronization and plugin installation logic used by both the CLI and GUI interfaces.

Reloading Plugins After Updates

Whether the update occurs automatically or manually, you must reload the plugins to activate the new version within your current Claude Code session:

/reload-plugins

This command refreshes the plugin runtime without requiring a full restart of Claude Code.

Understanding the Underlying Implementation

The auto-update functionality relies on specific components within the JetBrains/go-modern-guidelines repository:

• README.md (lines 90-107): Documents the complete installation and auto-update enablement workflow for both UI and CLI approaches.
• internal/cli/cli.go: Implements the plugin marketplace update and plugin update commands that handle marketplace synchronization and plugin version management.
• scripts/dev-install.sh: Provides local development installation utilities useful for testing updates from custom builds before they reach the marketplace.

When you enable auto-updates through the UI, Claude Code modifies its configuration to poll the goland-claude-marketplace endpoint during initialization, checking the version manifest against locally installed plugins.

Summary

• Third-party marketplaces default to disabled auto-updates to prevent unexpected changes; you must explicitly enable this feature for goland-claude-marketplace.
• UI method: Navigate to /plugin → Marketplaces → Select goland-claude-marketplace → Check "Enable auto-update".
• CLI method: Use claude plugin marketplace update goland-claude-marketplace followed by claude plugin update modern-go-guidelines@goland-claude-marketplace.
• Activation required: Run /reload-plugins to apply updates after they download.
• Source implementation: The update logic resides in internal/cli/cli.go with documentation in README.md.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are auto-updates disabled by default for third-party marketplaces?

Claude Code disables auto-updates by default for all third-party marketplaces to protect users from unexpected code changes and maintain system stability. The goland-claude-marketplace requires explicit opt-in because it is not part of the core Claude Code plugin repository, giving users control over when external code executes in their environment.

How often does Claude Code check for plugin updates?

When auto-update is enabled for goland-claude-marketplace, Claude Code checks for updates during every startup sequence. The marketplace index refreshes automatically before the main interface loads, ensuring you receive the latest plugin version before beginning your session. Manual checks via claude plugin marketplace update can be run at any time during an active session.

Can I automate updates in CI/CD pipelines?

Yes, you can automate updates in CI/CD environments by using the CLI commands documented in internal/cli/cli.go. Add the following commands to your pipeline scripts to ensure the latest version is always installed:

claude plugin marketplace update goland-claude-marketplace
claude plugin update modern-go-guidelines@goland-claude-marketplace

For development testing of unreleased versions, use scripts/dev-install.sh to install from a local source rather than the marketplace.

What should I do if the plugin fails to update automatically?

If automatic updates fail, manually refresh the marketplace index using claude plugin marketplace update goland-claude-marketplace, then explicitly update with claude plugin update modern-go-guidelines@goland-claude-marketplace. Check that the marketplace URL is accessible from your network and that you have proper permissions to modify the Claude Code plugin directory. If issues persist, refer to the troubleshooting section in README.md or use scripts/dev-install.sh to install a specific version manually.

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