version: "1.0.0" name: cradle-plugin-development description: Create, develop, debug, install, or update Cradle plugins built with @cradleapp/plugin-sdk. Use for Cradle server, web, or desktop plugin packages and Agent-authored personal plugins. Do not use for Codex .codex-plugin packages or one-off Cradle Artifacts.

Cradle Plugin Development

Build against the Plugin SDK guide bundled with the running Cradle version. The guide owns architecture, manifest, API, lifecycle, and security semantics; this Skill owns only the Agent workflow. Do not copy API contracts from the guide into generated project documentation.

Read The Canonical Guide

Start with the topic index:

cradle plugin docs

Read only the topics needed for the task:

cradle plugin docs getting-started
cradle plugin docs package-structure
cradle plugin docs server-plugin-api
cradle plugin docs web-plugin-api
cradle plugin docs desktop-plugin-api
cradle plugin docs react-sharing
cradle plugin docs validation

Use cradle plugin docs all only when the task genuinely spans the complete Plugin system. Use cradle man plugin for the current management command contract.

For exact signatures, generics, or optional fields, inspect the declarations installed with the SDK at node_modules/@cradleapp/plugin-sdk/dist/*.d.ts. In the Cradle monorepo, inspect packages/plugin-sdk/src/*.ts. Never invent a Plugin API or duplicate those contracts into package documentation.

Choose The Correct Surface

• Use an Artifact for a session-bound interactive result that needs no host

integration or persistent Plugin lifecycle.

• Use a Cradle Plugin for a reusable capability with a server, web, or desktop

layer, Plugin-owned storage, commands, panels, routes, MCP servers, or other declared contributions.

• A Codex .codex-plugin/plugin.json package is a different protocol. Never use

Codex marketplace scaffolding or manifests for a Cradle Plugin.

Authoring Workflow

1. Inspect an existing package before changing it. For a new package, create it

only in the workspace or another directory explicitly selected by the user. Never write Plugin source into another owner's namespace such as ~/.agents.

1. Read the getting-started, package-structure, and relevant layer topics.

Import SDK contracts from their owning package instead of recreating types.

1. Declare every capability and permission in package.json. Keep production

entries separate from cradle.dev source entries.

1. Create or update README.md. Document the Plugin's purpose, user-facing

capabilities, declared permissions, configuration, build and verification commands, and known constraints. Link to the canonical guide for SDK semantics instead of copying it.

1. Give the package an explicit finite build script. Run its focused

typecheck, tests where warranted, and build; fix all manifest and production entry failures before installation.

1. Verify the Plugin descriptor, contribution registration, and requested

behavior. Do not treat a successful build as runtime proof.

Persistent Installation And Updates

The default Agent path is a finite install transaction:

cradle plugin install --package-dir <absolute-package-dir>

The CLI runs the package build, validates the npm-packed production package, installs an immutable Cradle-owned snapshot, prints its source id, and exits. The authoring directory remains available for later edits but is never the runtime directory.

Installation does not authorize arbitrary local code. The install command returns each Plugin's runtime-layer status. When invoked from Cradle Chat, a native review handoff appears in that originating conversation; let the user review identity, layers, declared permissions, retained source location, and installed checksum there. Outside Chat, direct the user to Plugin Center. Approval records package trust and the reviewed permission grants for that exact checksum; never attempt to approve the Plugin on the user's behalf.

For an installed personal Plugin, edit and verify its retained source first, then use the source id returned by installation:

cradle plugin update <source-id> --package-dir <absolute-package-dir>

Build, pack, or validation failure preserves the installed snapshot. A successful update produces a new checksum and invalidates the previous package and permission grants. Web, Server, and Desktop reconcile automatically after the user approves the new revision. Never launch a dev process or manually sync a runtime for an ordinary personal install, and never weaken the trust boundary by editing trust storage, install receipts, or Cradle registry files.

Explicit Developer Mode

Use cradle plugin dev --package-dir <absolute-package-dir> only when the user explicitly requests watch mode, hot reload, interactive debugging, or Plugin development. Keep the process attached while iterating and stop it when the development session ends. Do not launch it as a background process or use it for ordinary personal installation.

For uninstall, inspect the Cradle-owned uninstall plan and present its retained data, managed resources, and blockers before confirmation. Do not delete the source directory as a substitute for the uninstall lifecycle.