claudegoodies
Skill

plugin-settings

From anthropics

This skill should be used when the user asks about "plugin settings", "store plugin configuration", "user-configurable plugin", ".local.md files", "plugin state files", "read YAML frontmatter", "per-project plugin settings", or wants to make plugin behavior configurable. Documents the .claude/plugin-name.local.md pattern for storing plugin-specific configuration with YAML frontmatter and markdown content.

Facts

Repository
anthropics/claude-code
Status
Actively maintained
Last commit
Source file
plugins/plugin-dev/skills/plugin-settings/SKILL.md

Source preview

The instructions Claude Code reads when this skill runs.

# Plugin Settings Pattern for Claude Code Plugins

## Overview

Plugins can store user-configurable settings and state in `.claude/plugin-name.local.md` files within the project directory. This pattern uses YAML frontmatter for structured configuration and markdown content for prompts or additional context.

**Key characteristics:**
- File location: `.claude/plugin-name.local.md` in project root
- Structure: YAML frontmatter + markdown body
- Purpose: Per-project plugin configuration and state
- Usage: Read from hooks, commands, and agents
- Lifecycle: User-managed (not in git, should be in `.gitignore`)

## File Structure

### Basic Template

```markdown
---
enabled: true
setting1: value1
setting2: value2
numeric_setting: 42
list_setting: ["item1", "item2"]
---

# Additional Context

This markdown body can contain:
- Task descriptions
- Additional instructions
- Prompts to feed back to Claude
- Documentation or notes
```

### Example: Plugin State File

**.claude/my-plugin.local.md:**
```markdown
---
enabled: true
strict_mode: false
max_retries: 3
notification_level: info
coordinator_session: team-leader
---

# Plugin Configuration

This plugin is configured for standard validation mode.
Contact @team-lead with questions.
```

## Reading Settings Files

### From Hooks (Bash Scripts)

**Pattern: Check existence and parse frontmatter**

```bash
#!/bin/bash
set -euo pipefail

# D
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