Agents Vs. Commands Vs. Skills: Plugin Development Guide

Hey everyone! So, you're diving into the awesome world of plugin development, huh? That's super exciting! We've got this cool agent-development skill that walks you through how to build agents, which is fantastic. But let's be real, sometimes figuring out when to actually use an agent versus a command or a skill can be a bit of a head-scratcher. That's why we're proposing a sweet addition to our documentation: a comparison section that'll help you nail down which component is the perfect fit for your use case. Think of it as your trusty guide to making the best decision right from the get-go!

Understanding the Plugin Component Conundrum

It's a common challenge, guys. You're brimming with ideas, ready to build something amazing, but then you hit that moment of indecision: "Should this be an agent? Or maybe a command? Or is a skill the way to go?" Without clear guidance, it's easy to misuse these powerful components. Agents are designed for those big, autonomous, multi-step tasks that need to run on their own. They're the workhorses that can tackle complex projects without you holding their hand every step of the way. Then you have Commands, which are your go-to for user-initiated, explicit actions. You tell it what to do, and it does it. Simple, direct, and under your control. Finally, Skills are like your built-in experts. They're there to provide knowledge, offer guidance, or lend context when the model needs it. They don't necessarily do things autonomously but rather enhance the model's understanding and capabilities. Recognizing these core differences is crucial for building efficient and effective plugins. This proposed comparison aims to shed light on these distinctions, ensuring you're not just building something, but you're building the right thing for the job.

The Proposed Solution: A Clear Comparison

To solve this, we're looking to add a new, super helpful section to our SKILL.md file. This section will feature a neat comparison table and some clear bullet points to help you make those critical decisions. Check out the proposed addition below:

When to Use Agents vs Commands vs Skills

This table is designed to be your quick reference guide. We've broken down each component by what it's best for, how it's triggered, and provided a concrete example use case so you can easily visualize its application.

Following the table, we'll dive a little deeper into the specific criteria for choosing each component.

Choose Agents When:

If your task screams for autonomous, multi-step execution, an agent is likely your best bet. Think about those complex workflows that need to happen in sequence, like processing a batch of documents, conducting a thorough code review, or managing a multi-stage deployment. These are jobs that don't require constant user intervention. Agents shine when proactive triggering after certain events is desired. For instance, after a new piece of code is committed, an agent could automatically kick off a series of tests and checks. They are also ideal when you need a specialized subprocess with focused tools. An agent can be equipped with a specific set of tools designed to perform a particular job exceptionally well, operating as a focused mini-program within your larger plugin system. The key here is delegation – you're delegating a complex, multi-step process to an agent that can handle it independently.

Choose Commands When:

On the flip side, if you want the user to explicitly trigger the action, Commands are the way to go. This is about giving users direct control. When a task has a clear start and end with specific inputs, a command is perfect. It's straightforward: the user types a command, provides the necessary information, and the action is performed. There's no ambiguity. A classic example is the /deploy production command. The user explicitly decides when and what to deploy. Commands are also crucial when you need to ensure that an action should not happen automatically. You don't want your system automatically deploying to production, right? Commands ensure that these critical actions are initiated only when the user intends them to be. They provide a predictable and controllable interface for users to interact with your plugin's capabilities.

Choose Skills When:

Now, let's talk about Skills. These are your knowledge powerhouses. Skills are perfect for providing knowledge or procedural guidance. If your plugin needs to offer explanations, answer questions, or guide the user through a complex process, a skill is the ideal component. They are also excellent for extending Claude's domain expertise. Need to give Claude deep knowledge about processing specific types of PDFs or understanding intricate legal jargon? A skill can provide that specialized information. Importantly, with skills, no autonomous execution is needed. They are designed to be invoked by the model based on the current context, providing information or performing calculations that enrich the model's response. Think of them as providing the "smarts" or the "data" that the model needs to be more helpful and accurate, without needing to perform actions on their own.

The Benefits of Clarity

Implementing this comparison section isn't just about adding more text; it's about adding significant value for our users. The primary benefit is that it directly helps users choose the right component type for their specific needs. This clarity can prevent a lot of headaches down the line. By understanding the distinctions between agents, commands, and skills, users can avoid the common pitfall of misusing agents where commands or skills would be a much better, more efficient fit. For example, a simple, user-triggered action shouldn't be an agent; it should be a command. Likewise, providing information doesn't require an agent; a skill would suffice. This leads to more robust, easier-to-manage plugins. Furthermore, this section will provide essential context for the agent development guidance already present. Knowing when and why to use an agent helps users appreciate the intricacies of agent development and implement them more effectively. Ultimately, this makes the entire plugin development experience smoother, more intuitive, and far more productive for everyone involved. It's all about empowering our developers with the knowledge they need to succeed.

Acceptance Criteria: What We Need to See

To make sure this addition is a home run, we've outlined a few key things we're looking for. First off, we need to confirm that a clear comparison table is indeed added to SKILL.md. This table should be easy to read and understand at a glance, providing that quick reference we talked about. Secondly, the addition must include decision criteria for each component type. This means going beyond just the table and offering more detailed explanations, like the bullet points we've outlined, to help users really think through their choices. And finally, we need to see examples of appropriate use cases for agents, commands, and skills. These real-world examples are crucial for helping developers visualize how each component functions in practice and make informed decisions for their own projects. Meeting these criteria will ensure our documentation is more helpful and will significantly boost the developer experience.