The development environment the user is using
Plugin
You might say
AI plugins, hooks, and Skills all look like extensions. Which one actually fits this need?
A distributable software package installed into a host application to provide extended capabilities, commands, or UI via standardized extension points.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.
Extension
How does a Plugin bring AI into an editor?
loads extension
Connects an extension to the host environment
adds an interface
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.
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.
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