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Rob Montero

Claude Power Stack: Install Guide

Rob Montero headshot
Rob Montero
•

Aug 1, 2026

AI Summary: This article explains Claude Code supports three add-on types: plugins, skills, and MCP servers. This guide covers installing my 15 recommended plugins, each install method.

Claude Code supports three add-on types: plugins, installed via /plugin or a marketplace; skills, which are folders containing a SKILL.md file, loaded by cloning into ~/.claude/skills/ or uploading a ZIP; and MCP servers, connected through Settings → Connectors or claude mcp add. This guide covers each install method across Claude Code, Claude Desktop, and claude.ai, then lists 15 tools — including `gstack`, superpowers, codex, frontend-design, second-brain, humanizer, caveman, granola, slack, notion, `zapier`, higgsfield, perplexity, and agent-browser — with a source repo or hosted URL for each. It closes with cautions on credentials, per-session context cost, and verifying commands against each tool's README.

Installing Claude Code plugins, skills, and MCP servers

How each install method works

Plugins (Claude Code)

  • Browse and install: run /plugin, open the Discover tab, press Enter to install, and choose user scope (all projects) or project scope.
  • By command: /plugin install <name>@<marketplace>. The claude-plugins-official marketplace is pre-registered. For anything else, run /plugin marketplace add <owner>/<repo> first, then install. Use /reload-plugins to activate in a running session. Skills (a folder containing SKILL.md)
  • Claude Code: git clone <repo> ~/.claude/skills/<name> (or copy the folder in), then restart. It auto-loads.
  • Claude Desktop / claude.ai: Settings → Capabilities → Customize → Skills → +, then Upload a skill (zip the folder that contains SKILL.md) and toggle it on.
  • To find them: search GitHub for <name> claude skill. MCP servers (connect Claude to real tools)
  • Claude Desktop or web: Settings → Connectors. Many of the servers below are in the built-in directory for one-click OAuth, with no URL or key required, so check here first.
  • Not in the directory: use Add custom connector and paste the hosted URL from the provider's MCP page.
  • Claude Code: claude mcp add --transport http <name> <url> for hosted servers, or claude mcp add <name> -- npx -y <package> for local ones. Add --scope user for all projects. Manage with /mcp.

Plugins

  1. gstack — Garry Tan's Claude Code setup (plan → review → ship → qa → retro). Add that repo as a marketplace, then install. Take the exact /plugin install line from the wrapper's README. https://github.com/garrytan/gstack.
  2. superpowers — obra's TDD / brainstorm / write-plan / execute-plan framework. /plugin install superpowers@claude-plugins-official (or /plugin marketplace add obra/superpowers-marketplace, then /plugin install superpowers@superpowers-marketplace). https://github.com/obra/superpowers.
  3. codex — Find it in the /plugin Discover tab and confirm the description matches what you want. https://github.com/skills-directory/skill-codex.

For 1–3: if a plugin isn't in claude-plugins-official, run /plugin marketplace add <owner>/<repo> first. Before confirming, check whether it bundles hooks (which run commands) or MCP servers (which cost context and hold credentials).

Skills

Search GitHub for <name> claude skill, then install with the Skills method above.

  1. frontend-design — UI, typography, and visual-direction guidance. Anthropic ships one and community versions exist. https://github.com/anthropics/skills/tree/main/skills/frontend-design.
  2. hyperframes — HyperFrames is an open-source framework for turning HTML, CSS, media, and seekable animations into deterministic MP4 videos. Use it locally with the CLI, from AI coding agents with skills, or as the rendering core behind hosted authoring workflows. https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes.
  3. second-brain — Turns Claude into a knowledge system for notes, docs, and integrations. https://github.com/coleam00/second-brain-skills.
  4. humanizer — Reduces AI-writing patterns so text reads more naturally. Download the ZIP from its repo and upload it. https://github.com/blader/humanizer.
  5. caveman — Strips filler to cut output length and stretch message limits. https://github.com/JuliusBrussee/caveman

MCP servers

Check Settings → Connectors first; several of these are one-click OAuth there.

  1. granola — Meeting notes. Connect through Claude's Granola connector (OAuth). If it shows "No tools available," disconnect and reconnect from the connector settings on claude.ai, even if you use desktop.
  2. slack — Team comms. Use the Slack connector in the directory, or add the hosted Slack MCP URL from Slack's MCP docs.
  3. notion — Docs and databases. Notion runs a hosted MCP at mcp.notion.com/mcp; use the connector directory or add the URL. OAuth.
  4. zapier — Automates workflows across many apps. Generate a personal MCP server URL at mcp.zapier.com, then add it as a custom connector.
  5. higgsfield — Image and video generation. Hosted at https://mcp.higgsfield.ai/mcp, OAuth, no API key. Add as a connector, or run claude mcp add --transport http higgsfield https://mcp.higgsfield.ai/mcp.
  6. perplexity — Live web search and research. Add via the Perplexity connector or its hosted MCP URL from Perplexity's docs.
  7. agent-browser — Browser-automation MCP. Confirm which one you mean (a specific "agent browser" versus Playwright MCP, npx -y @playwright/mcp@latest) and verify the source before installing.

Before you install

  • Plugins and MCP servers grant real power, including shell commands and account credentials. Install from sources you recognize, and check what a plugin bundles before confirming.
  • Context has a cost. Each MCP server's tool list loads into every session, and large skill bundles add more. Add what you'll use and prune the rest with /mcp and /plugin.
  • Verify commands against the source. Claude Code's /plugin, claude mcp add, and the skills path change over time; if a step differs, the plugin, MCP, or skill README is authoritative.