---
topic: manifest-fields
source_keys:
  - context7-websites-code-claude
  - claude-code-plugins-docs
  - github-cli-plugin-reference
  - github-plugins-creating
  - github-plugins-finding-installing
---

# Manifest Fields Reference

This document covers optional fields beyond the scaffolded defaults. Consult it when a user asks to add a non-default field to either manifest.

## Field Classification

| Field | Copilot `plugin.json` | CC `.claude-plugin/plugin.json` | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| `name` | Yes (shared) | Yes (shared) | Identical in both; kebab-case; max 64 chars (Copilot) |
| `description` | Yes (shared) | Yes (shared) | Identical in both; max 1024 chars (Copilot) |
| `version` | Yes (shared) | Yes (shared) | Identical in both; SemVer; version parity required (ADR-0016) |
| `author.name` | Yes (shared) | Yes (shared) | Identical in both |
| `license` | Yes (shared) | Yes (shared) | Identical in both; SPDX identifier |
| `keywords` | Yes (shared) | Yes (shared) | Identical in both; string array |
| `displayName` | No | Yes (CC-only) | Human-readable name shown in plugin manager |
| `author.url` | No | Yes (CC-only) | Author profile or homepage URL |
| `author.email` | Yes (Copilot-only) | No | Author contact email |
| `agents` | Yes (Copilot-only) | No | Path or array; default: `agents/` |
| `skills` | Yes (Copilot-only) | No | Path or array; default: `skills/` |
| `hooks` | Yes (Copilot-only) | No | Path to hooks config |
| `mcpServers` | Yes (Copilot-only) | No | Path or object for MCP server config |
| `category` | Yes (Copilot-only) | No | Marketplace category string |
| `tags` | Yes (Copilot-only) | No | Additional taxonomy tags (distinct from `keywords`) |
| `extensions` | Yes (Copilot-only) | No | Path, array, or `{ paths, exclusive: true }` to disable built-ins |
| `homepage` | Both (independent) | Both (independent) | Documentation URL; not required to be identical |
| `repository` | Both (independent) | Both (independent) | Source repo URL |

## Non-Default Optional Fields

### `homepage`

Documentation or project page URL. Shown in the plugin manager. Independent in each manifest — the two values do not need to match.

```json
// Copilot plugin.json
{ "homepage": "https://example.com/docs" }

// CC .claude-plugin/plugin.json
{ "homepage": "https://example.com/docs" }
```

### `repository`

Source repository URL. Independent in each manifest.

```json
{ "repository": "https://git.example.com/owner/repo" }
```

### `category` (Copilot-only)

Marketplace browsing category. Single string. Copilot manifest only.

```json
{ "category": "developer-tools" }
```

### `tags` (Copilot-only)

Additional taxonomy tags for Copilot marketplace browsing. Distinct from `keywords`.

```json
{ "tags": ["testing", "ci"] }
```

### `extensions` (Copilot-only)

Path to extension files, an array of paths, or an object. Use `{ "paths": [...], "exclusive": true }` to disable built-in extensions.

```json
{ "extensions": "extensions/" }
// or
{ "extensions": { "paths": ["extensions/"], "exclusive": true } }
```

### `lspServers`

Language Server Protocol configuration. Supported in both Copilot and CC manifests.

```json
{ "lspServers": ".lsp.json" }
```

### `outputStyles` (CC-only)

Path to output styles directory. Claude Code manifest only.

```json
{ "outputStyles": "styles/" }
```

### `experimental.themes` (CC-only)

Path to themes directory. Claude Code manifest only. Experimental — may change.

```json
{ "experimental": { "themes": "themes/" } }
```

### `experimental.monitors` (CC-only)

Path to `monitors.json`. Claude Code manifest only. Experimental.

```json
{ "experimental": { "monitors": "monitors.json" } }
```

### `dependencies` (CC-only)

Plugin dependencies. Each entry is a string (plugin name) or `{ "name": "<name>", "version": "<semver>" }`.

```json
{
  "dependencies": [
    "base-tools",
    { "name": "data-tools", "version": "^2.0.0" }
  ]
}
```

### `commands` (legacy, both)

Explicit list of `.md` command file paths. Deprecated in favour of `skills/`. Use `skills` instead for new plugins.

## Version Parity Convention (ADR-0016)

The `version` field must be present and identical in both manifests at all times. This is a hard invariant enforced by `/plugin-author` on every create, update, and release operation.

- If only the CC manifest had `version` before this convention was introduced, backfill the Copilot manifest immediately.
- Never change `version` in one manifest without changing it in the other in the same edit pass.
- The RELEASE flow bumps both manifests simultaneously before tagging.