Intermediate 12 Lessons

Comprehensive Guide to Claude Code Extension Ecosystem

Tool / Skill / Hook / Command / MCP / Plugin—from underlying concepts to practical architecture, master the Claude Code extension ecosystem.

Curriculum

What are Tool, Skill, Hook, Command, MCP, and Plugin? How do they collaborate?

From user input to execution, what layers are involved? A Mermaid breakdown of the full call chain.

Tool is the smallest unit of operation Claude can perform. Built-in Tools + MCP Tools = Total capability.

Skills are 'recipes' defined with Markdown. They tell Claude exactly what to do in specific scenarios.

Hooks execute scripts automatically at specific events. They don't change Claude's capabilities, but they transform the workflow.

MCP allows Claude to call external tool services. It is the core mechanism for extending Claude's capabilities.

Internal MCPs are auto-installed with plugins. External MCPs are manually connected, ideal for third-party services.

From databases to image analysis to web reading, MCP connects Claude to everything.

Plugins are the distribution unit for extensions. They bundle Skills, Hooks, MCPs, and Commands into an installable package.

Three ways to install, three levels of configuration, and a complete directory map.

Common questions about Tool vs. Skill, MCP vs. API, Hook security, and more.

Solutions for plugin conflicts, MCP startup failures, Hook timeouts, and other real-world issues.