Claude Code
terminal CLIVS CodeDesktopwebJetBrains
Claude Code has the broadest explicit extension taxonomy in a single .claude ecosystem. Dynamic Workflows (new) generate JavaScript orchestration scripts to fan work across parallel subagent swarms for codebase-wide tasks. Hooks are the most capable with 5 handler types across 29 lifecycle events, and plugins support enterprise lockdown via strictPluginOnlyCustomization.
CLAUDE.md and Rules
InstructionsVendor Terms CLAUDE.md, CLAUDE.local.md, rules, @import syntax, auto memory, AGENTS.md
Interfaces terminal CLI, VS Code, Desktop, web, JetBrains
Scopes
Organization / EnterpriseUser / HomeProject / Repo RootSubdirectory / Folder
Availability current (explicit)
Trust Model Contextual guidance, not enforced configuration; compliance not guaranteed for vague or conflicting instructions
Notes Walks up directory tree with on-demand subdirectory loading; rules can be path-scoped; @import syntax with 4-hop recursive depth supports AGENTS.md; managed policy CLAUDE.md at OS-level paths cannot be excluded; auto memory is a complementary per-working-tree system
Skills
PromptsSkills
SkillsVendor Terms skills, SKILL.md, commands, slash commands, Agent Skills standard
Interfaces terminal CLI, VS Code, Desktop, web, JetBrains
Scopes
Project / Repo RootUser / HomeOrganization / Enterprise
Availability current (explicit)
Trust Model Reusable knowledge and workflows loaded on demand or invoked via /name; enterprise deployment via managed settings
Notes Reference skills provide knowledge, action skills trigger workflows; follows Agent Skills open standard (agentskills.io); bundled skills include /batch, /debug, /simplify, /loop, /run, /verify, /deep-research; enterprise deployment via managed settings
MCP Servers
MCP & ToolsVendor Terms MCP servers, .mcp.json, managed-mcp.json, MCP Tool Search
Interfaces terminal CLI, VS Code, Desktop, web, JetBrains
Scopes
User / HomeProject / Repo RootOrganization / Enterprise
Availability current (explicit)
Trust Model Project-scoped servers require explicit approval; enterprise lockdown via managed-mcp.json allowlist/denylist
Notes Five-tier scope hierarchy (local > project > user > plugin > claude.ai connectors); Tool Search defers tool loading until needed; supports HTTP, SSE, stdio, and WebSocket transports; OAuth 2.0 with headersHelper for dynamic auth; Claude Code can serve as an MCP server
Subagents
AgentsVendor Terms subagents, custom subagents, managed subagents, Dynamic Workflows
Interfaces terminal CLI, VS Code, Desktop, web
Scopes
User / HomeProject / Repo RootOrganization / EnterpriseCloud / Web Session
Availability current (explicit)
Trust Model Isolated workers with their own context, prompt, and tools; only summary returns to parent
Notes Five priority levels (managed > CLI flag > project > user > plugin); built-in Explore, Plan, and Guide agents; Dynamic Workflows (new) generate JavaScript orchestration to fan work across parallel subagent swarms; isolation via worktrees; forked subagents (experimental)
Agent Teams
AgentsVendor Terms agent teams, teammates, shared task list, peer-to-peer messaging
Interfaces terminal CLI
Scopes
Project / Repo RootUser / Home
Availability experimental (explicit)
Trust Model Teammates inherit lead's permission settings; if lead uses --dangerously-skip-permissions all teammates do too
Notes Multiple independent sessions with shared tasks and peer-to-peer messaging; task dependencies with file locking; TeammateIdle hook for quality gates; two display modes (in-process and tmux)
Hooks
HooksVendor Terms hooks, agent hooks, async hooks
Interfaces terminal CLI, VS Code, Desktop
Scopes
User / HomeProject / Repo RootOrganization / Enterprise
Availability current (explicit)
Trust Model Deterministic scripts that run on lifecycle events; supports shell, HTTP, MCP tool, LLM, and agent handlers; can block tool use
Notes 5 handler types (command, http, mcp_tool, prompt, agent) across 29 lifecycle events; async hooks with asyncRewake for background execution; PreToolUse hooks enforce policy even in bypass mode; if field enables granular tool+argument filtering
Plugins and Marketplaces
Plugins & DistributionVendor Terms plugins, plugin.json, marketplace, .claude-plugin, background monitors
Interfaces terminal CLI, VS Code, Desktop, web, JetBrains
Scopes
Project / Repo RootUser / HomeOrganization / Enterprise
Availability current (explicit)
Trust Model Packaging layer that executes arbitrary code with user privileges; managed marketplace restrictions allow org lockdown
Notes Includes plugin-only components (LSP servers, monitors, themes, bin/ PATH additions); two official marketplaces (Anthropic-curated and community); strictPluginOnlyCustomization for enterprise lockdown; semver dependency constraints between plugins
Settings and Managed Settings
Settings & PolicyVendor Terms settings.json, managed settings, managed-settings.json, server-managed settings, policyHelper
Interfaces terminal CLI, VS Code, Desktop, web, JetBrains
Scopes
Organization / EnterpriseUser / HomeProject / Repo Root
Availability current (explicit)
Trust Model Admin-delivered managed settings cannot be overridden; controls permissions, hooks, environment variables, and model defaults
Notes Four-tier scope (managed > local > project > user); 60+ settings keys; policyHelper for dynamic managed settings computation at startup; MDM delivery via macOS plist, Windows registry, or file-based with drop-in directory; fail-closed enforcement option
Output Styles
Settings & PolicyVendor Terms output styles, custom output styles
Interfaces terminal CLI, VS Code, Desktop, web
Scopes
Project / Repo RootUser / Home
Availability current (explicit)
Trust Model Stronger than ordinary context because it changes the system prompt layer; intended to style behavior
Notes Directly modifies the system prompt; three built-in styles (Default, Explanatory, Learning); custom styles as Markdown files; plugins can distribute output styles