Dex Plugin Distribution Guide

Dex Plugin Distribution Guide

This guide explains how to distribute Dex as a Claude Code plugin.

Current Status

✅ Plugin manifest created - .claude-plugin/plugin.json ✅ Plugin README created - .claude-plugin/PLUGIN_README.md ✅ Core components organized - Skills, MCP servers, hooks all in .claude/ ✅ Python MCP servers functional - core/mcp/ directory with all servers ✅ Documentation complete - Comprehensive guides in 06-Resources/Dex_System/

Distribution Options

Option 1: GitHub Direct Installation (Easiest - Recommended First)

How it works: Users install directly from your GitHub repository:

claude plugin install https://github.com/davekilleen/dex

What you need to do:

1. Create a GitHub repository

   cd /Users/dave/Claudesidian/dex-core
   git remote add origin https://github.com/davekilleen/dex.git
   git push -u origin main
   

2. Test the installation

   # In a test directory
   claude plugin install https://github.com/davekilleen/dex
   

3. Document the installation - Users need:

   • Python 3.10+
   • pip install anthropic-mcp pyyaml python-dateutil
   • Run /setup after installation

Pros:

• Simple to set up
• You control updates
• Users get latest version directly
• No marketplace approval needed

Cons:

• Users need to know the GitHub URL
• No centralized discovery
• Manual URL sharing

Option 2: Submit to Official Claude Code Marketplace

How it works: Anthropic maintains an official marketplace at claude-plugins-official. You submit a PR to add Dex.

What you need to do:

1. Prepare your plugin

   • Ensure all files are ready (done ✅)
   • Create comprehensive tests
   • Validate plugin manifest: claude plugin validate dex-core/

2. Fork and clone the official marketplace

   git clone https://github.com/anthropics/claude-plugins-public.git
   cd claude-plugins-public
   

3. Add your plugin

   # Copy your plugin to the marketplace
   cp -r /path/to/dex-core ./plugins/dex
   
   # Or add as external plugin (just metadata)
   # Edit marketplace.json to add your entry
   

4. Submit PR to https://github.com/anthropics/claude-plugins-public

5. Wait for review - Anthropic team reviews and approves

Pros:

• Official distribution
• Discoverable by all Claude Code users
• Trusted source
• Automatic updates

Cons:

• Requires approval from Anthropic
• May have submission guidelines
• Slower update cycle

Option 3: Create Your Own Marketplace (Best for Distribution)

How it works: You create a marketplace that users can add to Claude Code, similar to every-marketplace.

What you need to do:

1. Create a marketplace repository

   mkdir dex-marketplace
   cd dex-marketplace
   mkdir -p .claude-plugin plugins/dex
   

2. Create marketplace manifest - .claude-plugin/marketplace.json:

   {
     "name": "dex-marketplace",
     "description": "Personal knowledge management and AI Chief of Staff tools",
     "owner": {
       "name": "Dave Killeen",
       "email": "dave@davekilleen.com"
     },
     "plugins": [
       {
         "name": "dex",
         "description": "Your AI Chief of Staff. Personal operating system with strategic work management, meeting intelligence, relationship tracking, and daily planning.",
         "source": "./plugins/dex",
         "category": "productivity",
         "version": "1.0.0",
         "author": {
           "name": "Dave Killeen",
           "email": "dave@davekilleen.com"
         },
         "homepage": "https://github.com/davekilleen/dex"
       }
     ]
   }
   

3. Copy Dex into the marketplace

   cp -r /Users/dave/Claudesidian/dex-core ./plugins/dex
   

4. Publish to GitHub

   git init
   git add .
   git commit -m "Initial marketplace setup"
   git remote add origin https://github.com/davekilleen/dex-marketplace.git
   git push -u origin main
   

5. Users install your marketplace

   # Add the marketplace
   claude plugin marketplace add https://github.com/davekilleen/dex-marketplace
   
   # Install Dex from your marketplace
   claude plugin install dex@dex-marketplace
   

Pros:

• You control everything
• Can add other plugins later
• Fast updates (no approval needed)
• Professional distribution
• Build a brand around your tools

Cons:

• Requires maintaining a marketplace
• Users need to add marketplace first
• Extra setup step for users

Option 4: Hybrid Approach (Recommended Strategy)

Best of all worlds:

1. Start with GitHub direct (Option 1)

   • Quick to test
   • Early adopters can install immediately
   • Get feedback fast

2. Create your own marketplace (Option 3)

   • Professional distribution
   • Easy for users: one command to add marketplace
   • You control updates
   • Can add complementary plugins later (Dex Premium features, integrations, etc.)

3. Submit to official marketplace (Option 2) - Later

   • Once proven stable
   • Wider discovery
   • Trusted distribution

Testing Your Plugin

Before distributing, test thoroughly:

1. Validate the Plugin Manifest

cd /Users/dave/Claudesidian/dex-core
claude plugin validate .

This checks:

• plugin.json is valid JSON
• Required fields are present
• MCP server configurations are correct
• Skills follow conventions

2. Test Local Installation

# Link locally for testing
claude plugin add /Users/dave/Claudesidian/dex-core --scope user

# Check it's installed
claude plugin list

# Try a skill
cd /tmp
mkdir test-vault
cd test-vault
# Run: /setup or /daily-plan

3. Test Clean Installation

# Remove local installation
claude plugin remove dex

# Install from GitHub (after you've pushed)
claude plugin install https://github.com/davekilleen/dex

# Run onboarding
# Navigate to test directory
# Run: /setup

4. Test MCP Servers

After installation, verify MCP servers start:

# Check MCP server logs
# Look in ~/.claude/logs/mcp-servers/
tail -f ~/.claude/logs/mcp-servers/work.log

Publishing Checklist

Before publishing, ensure:

• plugin.json has correct GitHub repository URL
• LICENSE file is present (PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0 - ✅)
• CHANGELOG.md is up to date (✅)
• README.md explains installation clearly
• Python requirements documented
• .gitignore excludes personal data (vault contents, .env, etc.)
• All skills have proper YAML frontmatter
• MCP servers are documented in .claude/mcp/README.md (✅)
• Test installation on a clean machine/directory
• Verify onboarding works from scratch
• Document any prerequisites (Python, Granola, etc.)

.gitignore for Plugin Distribution

CRITICAL: Don't include personal vault data!

Create/update .gitignore in dex-core/:

# Personal vault data (DO NOT INCLUDE IN PLUGIN)
00-Inbox/
01-Quarter_Goals/
02-Week_Priorities/
03-Tasks/
04-Projects/
05-Areas/
07-Archives/
System/Session_Learnings/
System/Session_Memory/
System/.onboarding/state.json
System/user-profile.yaml
System/pillars.yaml

# Python
__pycache__/
*.py[cod]
*$py.class
*.so
.Python
venv/
env/

# Environment
.env
.secrets

# IDE
.vscode/
.cursor/
.idea/

# OS
.DS_Store
Thumbs.db

# MCP logs
*.log

# Keep template/example files
!System/user-profile.example.yaml
!System/pillars.example.yaml

Example Installation Flow for Users

Document this clearly in your main README:

# 1. Install the plugin
claude plugin install https://github.com/davekilleen/dex

# 2. Install Python dependencies
pip install anthropic-mcp pyyaml python-dateutil

# 3. Create or navigate to your vault directory
mkdir ~/my-dex-vault
cd ~/my-dex-vault

# 4. Run onboarding
# In Claude Code, type: /setup
# Follow the prompts (name, role, pillars, etc.)

# 5. Start using Dex!
# Type: /daily-plan

Marketing Your Plugin

Once distributed, promote it:

1. Vibe PM Podcast Episode - You already have Episode 8, create a follow-up about the plugin
2. LinkedIn Post - "Dex is now available as a Claude Code plugin"
3. GitHub README - Clear "Install" button at the top
4. Demo Video - Show installation and first 5 minutes
5. X/Twitter Thread - Installation walkthrough
6. Blog Post Update - Add "How to Install" section to existing post
7. Community Sharing - Claude Code Slack, Discord, Reddit communities

Monetization Options (Future)

If you want to offer premium features later:

1. Free Core + Premium Marketplace

   • Base Dex is free (current features)
   • Premium marketplace with advanced features:
     • Advanced integrations (Salesforce, HubSpot, etc.)
     • Team collaboration features
     • White-label configurations
     • Priority support

2. Freemium MCP Servers

   • Free: Basic work management, calendar, tasks
   • Premium: Advanced analytics, AI insights, custom workflows

3. Consulting/Setup Services

   • Free: Self-service installation
   • Paid: 1-on-1 onboarding, custom setup, team rollout

Next Steps

1. Immediate (This week):

   • Update .gitignore to exclude personal vault data
   • Create example configuration files (with placeholders)
   • Test local plugin installation
   • Validate with claude plugin validate

2. Short-term (Next 2 weeks):

   • Create GitHub repository for Dex
   • Push dex-core to main branch
   • Test GitHub-based installation
   • Update main README with plugin installation instructions
   • Record quick installation demo

3. Medium-term (Next month):

   • Create dex-marketplace repository
   • Add more plugins to marketplace (future: Dex Premium, Dex Analytics, etc.)
   • Submit to claude-plugins-official (if desired)
   • Create comprehensive installation guide video
   • Promote on LinkedIn, X, podcast

Getting Help

If you have questions about plugin development:

• Official docs: Check Claude Code documentation
• Community: Claude Code Slack/Discord
• Example plugins: Study compound-engineering structure
• Anthropic support: For marketplace submission questions

Ready to distribute? Start with Option 1 (GitHub direct), then expand to Option 3 (your marketplace) for professional distribution.