Getting Started

Go from zero to selling your first Claude plugin in minutes.

What is SkillStack?

SkillStack lets you distribute Claude plugins — free or paid — to anyone, without exposing your source code. You keep your code in a private repo, and SkillStack handles delivery, licensing, and updates.

Prerequisites

Claude Code installed
Node.js (v18+) — includes npm, which SkillStack uses to deliver plugin packages
A GitHub account
A GitHub repo with a working Claude plugin marketplace
(For paid plugins) An account on Polar.sh or Lemon Squeezy with a product that includes a license key — see Payment Setup for a walkthrough

1. Install the Creator Plugin

Install the SkillStack Creator plugin from within Claude:

/plugin marketplace add https://github.com/SkillStacks/skillstack-creator.git

/plugin install skillstack-creator@skillstack-creator

When prompted, select "Install for you (user scope)" — the first and recommended option.

Restart Claude Code.

2. Run `/publish`

The /publish skill walks you through everything:

Selects which plugins from your repo to distribute
Configures pricing — free, subscription, one-time, or lifetime
Connects your payment provider (for paid plugins)
Installs the GitHub App on your private repo
Displays your storefront URL — an auto-generated marketplace buyers add to Claude

The whole process takes a few minutes.

3. Share with Buyers

After publishing, share these instructions with your buyers:

1. Install SkillStack (one-time)

/plugin marketplace add https://github.com/SkillStacks/skillstack.git

/plugin install skillstack@skillstack-marketplace

Select "Install for you (user scope)" when prompted. Restart Claude Code.

2. Activate and install

/activate-license

Paste your license key when prompted. Claude will guide you through installing the plugin. Restart Claude Code when done.

Post these on your website, social media, newsletter — anywhere your audience will find them. See the Buyer Guide for the full walkthrough.

You keep developing normally. When you bump the version in your marketplace.json and push, buyers automatically get the update (subject to their license model).