Two places, one idea
A plugin packages skills, connectors, commands and agents. You can use plugins in the Claude app (claude.ai and the desktop app, including chat and Cowork) and in Claude Code.
In the Claude app, you add plugins from Customize > Plugins. In Claude Code, developers install and manage them from the command line.
Which one do you need?
If you are not a developer, you need plugins for the Claude app. That is what this site lists, by job: lawyers, accountants, HR, sales, marketing and more.
If you write software, Claude Code plugins add developer tools. Our jobs list includes software developers, DevOps and other technical roles.
How the two stay in sync
A plugin you add in claude.ai is saved to your account and downloads into Claude Code the next time you start a session signed in to the same account. Run /reload-plugins in that session to load it.
Syncing does not happen if you use an API key or a cloud provider such as Amazon Bedrock. Plugins you install from the Claude Code command line stay on that machine and are not added to your claude.ai account.
What works where
Skills, commands and connectors work in chat, Cowork and Claude Code. Agents work in Cowork and Claude Code. Hooks and local servers also run in Cowork and Claude Code, not in chat, and appear greyed out in chat.
Questions people ask
- Do I need Claude Code to use Claude plugins?
- No. You can add and use plugins in claude.ai and the Claude desktop app without Claude Code.
- Do plugins I add in Claude appear in Claude Code?
- Yes, when you sign in to Claude Code with the same account. They download the next time you start a session; run /reload-plugins to load them. This does not work with an API key or a cloud provider.
- Is Cowork the same as Claude Code?
- No. Cowork is part of the Claude desktop app and loads a plugin’s skills, commands, agents and connectors into your tasks. Claude Code is a command-line tool for developers. Both can use plugins.