Plugin Ecosystem
Overview of the 10-plugin architecture — what each plugin does and how they work together.
New
"I Want To..." Guide
| I want to... | Use this plugin | Key command |
|---|---|---|
| Brainstorm an idea | superpowers | /brainstorm |
| Write a spec or PRD | spec-kit | /speckit-specify |
| Review architecture | pensive | /architecture-review |
| Plan implementation | superpowers | /write-plan |
| Implement with TDD | superpowers | /execute-plan |
| Review code | pensive | /full-review |
| Commit changes | sanctum | /commit-msg |
| Prepare a PR | sanctum | /prepare-pr |
| Work on an issue | sanctum | /do-issue |
| Debug a problem | superpowers | systematic-debugging skill |
| Catch up on context | imbue | /catchup |
| Optimize context usage | conserve | /optimize-context |
| Create a new skill | abstract | /create-skill |
| Check Ontopix patterns | ontopix | /check-compliance |
| Research Ontopix docs | ontopix | /search-docs |
| Run iterative loops | ralph-wiggum | /ralph-loop |
| Manage all plugins | leyline | /update-all-plugins |
Architecture
The plugin ecosystem follows a three-layer model:
Layer 3: ontopix plugin → Live Ontopix patterns via MCP
Layer 2: sanctum/pensive/... → Generic dev workflows (commits, reviews, TDD)
Layer 1: Claude Code → Core runtime
Layer 1 — Claude Code is the core runtime. It provides the AI assistant, tool use, and the plugin system itself.
Layer 2 — Generic Plugins add development workflows that work in any project:
- superpowers provides the core development loop: brainstorming, planning, implementing (TDD), and debugging.
- sanctum handles git operations: commits, PRs, documentation updates, and dependency management.
- pensive provides code review from multiple angles: bugs, architecture, tests, and domain-specific reviews.
- imbue adds workflow methodologies: evidence gathering, structured reviews, and scope guarding.
- abstract enables meta-operations: creating new skills, evaluating plugins, and managing the ecosystem.
- conserve optimizes resource usage: token conservation, bloat detection, and context management.
- leyline provides infrastructure building blocks consumed by other plugins: auth patterns, error handling, and git platform detection.
- spec-kit adds spec-driven development: from specification to implementation with structured workflows.
- ralph-wiggum enables iterative refinement loops using the technique from Anthropic.
Layer 3 — Ontopix Plugin connects Claude Code to your team's engineering patterns via MCP, making the AI aware of your conventions.
Plugin Comparison
| Plugin | Purpose | Skills | Commands | Agents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| superpowers | Core dev workflows | 14 | 3 | 1 |
| sanctum | Git and workspace ops | 14 | 18 | 9 |
| pensive | Code review toolkit | 12 | 12 | 4 |
| imbue | Workflow methodologies | 10 | 3 | 1 |
| abstract | Meta-skills infrastructure | 11 | 18 | 5 |
| conserve | Resource optimization | 11 | 6 | 5 |
| leyline | Infrastructure building blocks | 14 | 2 | 0 |
| spec-kit | Spec-driven development | 3 | 9 | 3 |
| ralph-wiggum | Iterative loops | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| ontopix | Ontopix patterns | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 92 | 74 | 28 |
Plugin Deep-Dives
- superpowers — Core skills: TDD, debugging, brainstorming, planning
- sanctum — Git workflows: commits, PRs, docs, dependencies
- pensive — Code review toolkit: bugs, architecture, tests
- imbue — Workflow methodologies: evidence, structured reviews, scope guard
- abstract — Meta-skills: skill authoring, plugin validation, hooks
- conserve — Resource optimization: tokens, context, bloat detection
- leyline — Infrastructure: auth, errors, git platform, testing standards
- spec-kit — Spec-driven development: specify, plan, implement
- ralph-wiggum — Iterative loop technique from Anthropic
See Also
- Available Tools — Master reference of all commands and agents
- Use Cases — Workflow guides showing plugins in action
- Getting Started — Installation instructions