Plugin release process for MAG Claude Plugins marketplace. Covers version bumping, marketplace.json updates, git tagging, and common mistakes. Use when releasing new plugin versions or troubleshooting update issues.
Plugin release process for MAG Claude Plugins marketplace. Covers version bumping, marketplace.json updates, git tagging, and common mistakes. Use when releasing new plugin versions or troubleshooting update issues.
Plugin Release Process
Complete guide for releasing new versions of plugins in the MAG Claude Plugins marketplace.
Critical Understanding
Claude Code plugin discovery works through TWO configuration files that MUST BOTH BE UPDATED:
plugins/{plugin-name}/plugin.json - The plugin's own version metadata
.claude-plugin/marketplace.json - The marketplace catalog (what users see when browsing)
Why both?
plugin.json - Defines the plugin itself (agents, commands, version)
marketplace.json - The "catalog" that Claude Code reads for plugin discovery
Users run /plugin marketplace update which reads marketplace.json
If you only update plugin.json, users won't see the new version!
Release Checklist
Step 1: Update Plugin Files
plugins/{plugin-name}/plugin.json - Update version field
plugins/{plugin-name}/agents/*.md - Add new agents (if any)
RELEASES.md - Add detailed release notes at the top
CLAUDE.md - Update ALL version references (6+ locations)
Step 3: ⚠️ CRITICAL - Update Marketplace Catalog
File:.claude-plugin/marketplace.json
Update TWO fields:
Marketplace metadata version (line ~10):
"metadata":{"version":"3.3.0"// ← Update this}
Specific plugin version (in plugins array):
"plugins":[{"name":"frontend","version":"3.3.0",// ← Update this (CRITICAL!)"description":"..."// ← Update if description changed}]
Step 4: Commit and Tag
# Commit all changes
git add -A
git commit -m "feat({plugin}): v{X.Y.Z} - {Feature summary}"# Create tag (format: plugins/{plugin-name}/v{X.Y.Z})
git tag -a plugins/{plugin}/v{X.Y.Z} -m "..."# Push
git push origin main
git push origin plugins/{plugin}/v{X.Y.Z}
Step 5: Verify
/plugin marketplace update mag-claude-plugins
# Should show new version ✅
Common Mistakes
❌ #1: Forgot to update marketplace.json
Symptom: Users still see old version after /plugin marketplace update
Fix:
# Update .claude-plugin/marketplace.json
vim .claude-plugin/marketplace.json
# Update plugins[].version field
git add .claude-plugin/marketplace.json
git commit -m "fix(marketplace): Update {plugin} version to v{X.Y.Z}"
git push origin main
Problem: plugin.json says v3.3.0 but marketplace.json says v3.2.0
Prevention: Use checklist, search for old version: grep -r "3.2.0" .
Version Numbering
MAJOR (X.0.0): Breaking changes (removed agents, changed behavior)
MINOR (x.Y.0): New features (new agents/commands, backward compatible)
PATCH (x.y.Z): Bug fixes (no new features, backward compatible)
Quick Reference
Minimal checklist:
✅ Update plugins/{plugin}/plugin.json version
✅ Update .claude-plugin/marketplace.json plugin version ⚠️ CRITICAL