Implement Claude Extensions

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name: implement-claude-extensions description: Choose and implement the right Claude extension type by comparing hooks, skills, sub-agents, agent teams, and plugin packaging patterns.

Implement Claude Extensions

Use this umbrella skill to choose the correct extension type and route implementation to the appropriate component skill.

Core Principle: Start simple. Use the decision framework to score task complexity (0-10) and match to the simplest component type that meets requirements.

Complexity-Based Selection

Score	Component Type	When to Use
1-3	Simple Skill	Single deterministic task, no branching logic
4-6	Workflow Skill	Multi-step with some conditional logic
7-8	Sub-Agent	Model-driven decisions, flexible approach needed
9-10	Agent Team	Multiple specialized domains, complex coordination

See references/decision-framework.md for detailed scoring guide.

Comparison

Extension Type	Best For	Primary Artifacts	Component Skill
Hooks	Event-driven automation/guardrails	hooks/hooks.json, hook scripts	../implement-hooks/SKILL.md
Agent Skills	Reusable task playbooks	skills/<name>/SKILL.md	../implement-agent-skills/SKILL.md
Sub-Agents	Specialized delegated roles	agents/*.md	../implement-sub-agents/SKILL.md
Agent Teams	Coordinated multi-agent execution	team config + coordination docs	../implement-agent-teams/SKILL.md
Plugins	Packaging/distribution + wiring	.claude-plugin/plugin.json	../implement-plugin/SKILL.md

Workflow

1. Assess complexity: Score task complexity using decision framework (0-10)
2. Start simple: Choose simplest component type that meets requirements
3. Validate choice: Ask "Can this be done more simply?"
4. Identify constraints: Determine specific requirements and boundaries
5. Plan evaluations: Define 20-50 test cases for validation
6. Route implementation: Hand off to appropriate component skill
7. Apply lifecycle checks: Follow design → implement → evaluate → verify

Progressive Disclosure

Best Practices (Anthropic Guidelines)

• Core principles: ../../docs/ANTHROPIC_BEST_PRACTICES.md
  • Central hub with links to detailed references:
    • Complexity scoring & decision framework: references/decision-framework.md
    • Context management patterns: references/context-management.md
    • Evaluation strategy: references/evaluation-strategy.md

Component Selection

• Extension comparison details: references/extension-types.md
• Decision guide: references/when-to-use.md
• Cross-component patterns: references/cross-component-patterns.md
• Lifecycle from design to verification: references/extension-lifecycle.md

Component Skills

• ../implement-hooks/SKILL.md
• ../implement-agent-skills/SKILL.md
• ../implement-sub-agents/SKILL.md
• ../implement-agent-teams/SKILL.md
• ../implement-plugin/SKILL.md

Sources

• https://code.claude.com/docs/en/plugins
• https://code.claude.com/docs/en/skills
• https://code.claude.com/docs/en/sub-agents
• https://code.claude.com/docs/en/agent-teams
• https://code.claude.com/docs/en/hooks-guide