How to install, update and remove Claude Code plugins

Installing a plugin takes two commands: add the marketplace it lives in, then install it. This guide covers those, plus managing plugins afterwards and the errors you are likely to hit.

Two places to run the commands

  • In the Claude Code chat: type /plugin …. This works in the terminal and in the VS Code extension. /plugin on its own opens an interactive manager.
  • In a shell: run claude plugin …. This needs the claude CLI on your PATH.

Both take the same arguments. The examples below show both; pick whichever you have.

1. Add a marketplace

A marketplace is a catalog of plugins in a Git repo. Add it by its GitHub owner/repo:

/plugin marketplace add anthropics/claude-plugins-official
claude plugin marketplace add anthropics/claude-plugins-official

List the ones you have with claude plugin marketplace list, and refresh their catalogs with claude plugin marketplace update.

2. Install a plugin

Install by name@marketplace:

/plugin install context7@claude-plugins-official
claude plugin install context7@claude-plugins-official

Plugins install for your user by default, so they apply in every project. Choose another scope with --scope:

  • user: you, in every project (default)
  • project: everyone working in this repo, saved in .claude/settings.json
  • local: you, in this repo only

3. Reload

Plugins load when a session starts. Restart claude in the terminal, or in VS Code run Developer: Reload Window from the command palette.

Manage installed plugins

claude plugin list                 # what is installed and enabled
claude plugin details <name>       # its skills, commands, agents, hooks and context cost
claude plugin disable <name>       # turn it off without removing it
claude plugin enable <name>        # turn it back on
claude plugin update <name>        # update to the latest version (restart to apply)
claude plugin uninstall <name>     # remove it

Share plugins with your team

Commit a .claude/settings.json that lists the marketplaces and plugins. When a teammate opens the repo in Claude Code and trusts the folder, they are prompted to install them.

.claude/settings.json
{
  "extraKnownMarketplaces": {
    "claude-plugins-official": {
      "source": { "source": "github", "repo": "anthropics/claude-plugins-official" }
    }
  },
  "enabledPlugins": {
    "context7@claude-plugins-official": true,
    "superpowers@claude-plugins-official": true
  }
}

Troubleshooting

  • Plugin "x" not found in marketplace: The marketplace isn’t added yet, or its catalog is stale. Run claude plugin marketplace add <owner/repo>, or claude plugin marketplace update <name> if it is already added.
  • command not found: claude: The CLI isn’t on your PATH. Use /plugin in the chat instead, or install the CLI. The VS Code extension also ships a copy of claude inside its extension folder.
  • Installed, but nothing changed: Plugins load at session start. Restart claude or reload the VS Code window, then check claude plugin list shows it as enabled.

Plugins worth installing