[GH-ISSUE #20] Noob question: what does full plugin structure bring us? #14

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opened 2026-03-03 18:49:57 +03:00 by kerem · 3 comments
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Originally created by @tianyili-roller on GitHub (Jan 12, 2026).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/OthmanAdi/planning-with-files/issues/20

Sorry to post this under Issues — I couldn’t find the Discussions section (🥲)

In the installation docs I saw:

If you only want the skill without the full plugin structure: ...

What does the “full plugin structure” actually provide?
Is it mainly for things like auto-updates, or something else?

Also, just to confirm — the skill-only install should be self-contained and include all functionality, right?

Originally created by @tianyili-roller on GitHub (Jan 12, 2026). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/OthmanAdi/planning-with-files/issues/20 Sorry to post this under Issues — I couldn’t find the Discussions section (🥲) In the installation docs I saw: `If you only want the skill without the full plugin structure: ...` What does the “full plugin structure” actually provide? Is it mainly for things like auto-updates, or something else? Also, just to confirm — the skill-only install should be self-contained and include all functionality, right?
kerem closed this issue 2026-03-03 18:49:58 +03:00
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@OthmanAdi commented on GitHub (Jan 12, 2026):

Good question — I've updated the docs to explain this better.

Short Answer

Skill-only is fully functional. You get the complete 3-file planning pattern.

The "full plugin structure" adds:

  • Hooks — auto-reminders to update files, completion verification
  • Automatic updates — via /plugin update
  • Slash command/planning-with-files

What is a Plugin?

A plugin is a distribution package that bundles multiple components:

Component What It Does
Skills Auto-invoked instructions (the core planning pattern)
Hooks Event handlers (reminders to update files)
Commands User-invoked shortcuts
Scripts Helper utilities

Think of it like npm vs copying a single .js file.

What is a Skill?

A skill is a single SKILL.md file with instructions. It's the core content — the actual knowledge and workflow patterns that Claude loads when relevant.

Comparison

Aspect Full Plugin Skill-Only
Core 3-file pattern
Auto-invocation
Hooks (reminders)
Auto updates
/planning-with-files command

Which Should You Choose?

Plugin if you want the full experience with hooks and updates.

Skill-only if:

  • You want minimal footprint
  • Plugin installation fails (like on some Linux distros)
  • You prefer manual control

I've created a branch with updated installation docs that explains this in detail. Will merge soon.

<!-- gh-comment-id:3739638837 --> @OthmanAdi commented on GitHub (Jan 12, 2026): Good question — I've updated the docs to explain this better. ## Short Answer **Skill-only is fully functional.** You get the complete 3-file planning pattern. The "full plugin structure" adds: - **Hooks** — auto-reminders to update files, completion verification - **Automatic updates** — via `/plugin update` - **Slash command** — `/planning-with-files` ## What is a Plugin? A plugin is a **distribution package** that bundles multiple components: | Component | What It Does | |-----------|--------------| | Skills | Auto-invoked instructions (the core planning pattern) | | Hooks | Event handlers (reminders to update files) | | Commands | User-invoked shortcuts | | Scripts | Helper utilities | Think of it like npm vs copying a single .js file. ## What is a Skill? A skill is a single `SKILL.md` file with instructions. It's the core content — the actual knowledge and workflow patterns that Claude loads when relevant. ## Comparison | Aspect | Full Plugin | Skill-Only | |--------|-------------|------------| | Core 3-file pattern | ✅ | ✅ | | Auto-invocation | ✅ | ✅ | | Hooks (reminders) | ✅ | ❌ | | Auto updates | ✅ | ❌ | | `/planning-with-files` command | ✅ | ❌ | ## Which Should You Choose? **Plugin** if you want the full experience with hooks and updates. **Skill-only** if: - You want minimal footprint - Plugin installation fails (like on some Linux distros) - You prefer manual control --- I've created a branch with [updated installation docs](https://github.com/OthmanAdi/planning-with-files/blob/feature/docs-plugin-vs-skill/docs/installation.md#plugin-vs-skill-only-whats-the-difference) that explains this in detail. Will merge soon.
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@tianyili-roller commented on GitHub (Jan 12, 2026):

@OthmanAdi Thank you for the explanation! This is very helpful 😃.

I thought the hooks section in the YAML frontmatter of the SKILL.md can set the hooks automatically 🤔.

<!-- gh-comment-id:3740986543 --> @tianyili-roller commented on GitHub (Jan 12, 2026): @OthmanAdi Thank you for the explanation! This is very helpful 😃. I thought the hooks section in the YAML frontmatter of the SKILL.md can set the hooks automatically 🤔.
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@OthmanAdi commented on GitHub (Jan 12, 2026):

@tianyili-roller discussions are now open. id love your contribution! and yes ofcourse skills can definitly use the hooks thats the reason for version 2 but where is the problem? hooks as reminder. that is not supported yet, which belongs to this issue

<!-- gh-comment-id:3741062152 --> @OthmanAdi commented on GitHub (Jan 12, 2026): @tianyili-roller discussions are now open. id love your contribution! and yes ofcourse skills can definitly use the hooks thats the reason for version 2 but where is the problem? hooks as reminder. that is not supported yet, which belongs to this [issue ](https://github.com/OthmanAdi/planning-with-files/issues/19#issuecomment-3736842708)
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