Plugin

You might say

AI plugins, hooks, and Skills all look like extensions. Which one actually fits this need?

A plugin is a distributable software component installed into a host application to add capabilities.For example, an editor plugin can add a sidebar, shortcuts, code completion, or diff previews. Other plugins may only add commands or service integrations. A plugin does not require a UI, and it is not the same as a Skill task method or a Hook event script.

PluginIDE Extension

How does a Plugin bring AI into an editor?

Editor / workspace

The development environment the user is using

loads extension

Plugin

Connects an extension to the host environment

adds an interface

Tool surface

A menu, panel, or in-editor capability

A Plugin mainly extends a host tool's capabilities and interface; it is not the MCP connection protocol or a Skill's method.

What does a Plugin do?

Provide an editor entry point: A plugin can add a sidebar, shortcuts, inline suggestions, or a configuration panel.

Collect current context: After a selection, it can send file and language context to the model and show the result in the editor.

Make changes reviewable: A side-by-side diff lets the user compare a proposal before accepting it into the file.

Quick checkChoose the best answer

A team needs an editor sidebar and diff preview. Which extension fits?

Use a Plugin to package the UI entry point and editor integrationUse a Skill because Skills automatically provide visual UI across editorsUse a Hook because a background event script will create the full sidebar

You can say this to an AI Agent

First classify this need as editor integration, a reusable task workflow, or an event-triggered check. Design a Plugin only if it needs a sidebar, shortcuts, or a diff preview.

Learn next

1Skill→2Hook→3Model Context Protocol→

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