Tutorial5 min
How to Install Plugins in Claude Code & Cowork
Step-by-step guide to installing plugins in Claude Code and Claude Cowork. One command, no configuration, instant deep expertise.
Leopoldo Editorial
Installing plugins in Claude Code and Cowork is designed to be simple. One command, no dependencies, no configuration files to manage.
This guide walks through the process from install to first use.
What You Get
When you install a plugin from Leopoldo, you get a complete kit containing agents, orchestrators, and hooks that give Claude deep domain expertise. Each component defines:
- **Purpose**: What it does
- **When to use**: Trigger conditions
- **Process**: Step-by-step methodology
- **Output**: Expected deliverables
- **Quality gates**: Minimum quality thresholds
Plugins are not prompts. They are codified expertise built with a structured methodology.
Installation: Claude Code
Download the plugin from GitHub and extract it to your project:
1. Download the plugin archive 2. Extract to your project root 3. Claude Code auto-discovers the plugin contents
That's it. No npm install, no configuration files, no environment variables.
Installation: Claude Cowork
Cowork plugins install the same way. The plugin ships as a Cowork-compatible package with a .claude-plugin manifest. Drop it into your workspace and Cowork discovers the contents automatically.
Verification
After installation, you can verify the plugin is active by asking Claude about its capabilities. Each plugin's agents, orchestrators, and hooks will be available immediately.
Compatibility
All Leopoldo plugins are tested on both Claude Code and Claude Cowork. They use standard formats -- no platform-specific code, no external dependencies.
Quality and Updates
Every domain is security tested before release. Updates are available via /leopoldo update (explicit, never automatic), delivering new capabilities, methodology improvements, and compatibility updates.
Get Started
Explore all domains at leopoldo.ai/domains. Full Stack is free on GitHub. Specialized domains available on request at hello@leopoldo.ai.
Frequently asked
How do I install a plugin in Claude Code?
Download the plugin from GitHub (or receive the ZIP for specialized domains), extract it into your project directory so the .claude/ folder sits at the root. The plugin loads automatically on every session start with no further configuration needed.
What is the difference between Claude Code and Claude Cowork plugins?
Claude Code plugins use a .claude/ directory structure designed for CLI users, while Cowork plugins use a .claude-plugin/plugin.json format designed for the Cowork interface. The same ZIP does not work for both, so you need to download the correct format for your environment.
Do Claude Code plugins update automatically?
Leopoldo domains include a built-in update checker. Updates are available via /leopoldo update (explicit, never automatic). When you run the command, it checks for new versions and installs them with no further steps required.
Can I install multiple Claude Code plugins at once?
Yes, multiple domains can coexist in the same .claude/ directory since each occupies its own namespace. Leopoldo's manager handles multi-domain installs, and the update system tracks each domain version independently.