Sindri Extension Development Guide
What's New: Extension Capabilities System
Recent Addition (Jan 2026): Sindri now supports an optional capabilities system for advanced extensions:
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Project Initialization - Commands to set up new projects (project-init )
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Multi-Method Authentication - Support both API key and CLI auth (auth )
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Lifecycle Hooks - Pre/post install and project-init hooks (hooks )
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MCP Integration - Register as Model Context Protocol servers (mcp )
Most extensions don't need capabilities - they're only for extensions that extend project management functionality (like Claude Flow, Agentic QE, Spec-Kit). Regular extensions (nodejs, python, docker) work exactly as before.
Slash Commands (Recommended)
For reliable extension creation with all documentation updates, use these commands:
Command Purpose
/extension/new <name> [source]
Create new extension with complete documentation workflow
/extension/update-docs <name>
Update documentation for existing extension
Example:
/extension/new mdflow https://github.com/johnlindquist/mdflow /extension/update-docs nodejs
These commands enforce the complete workflow including all required documentation updates.
Overview
This skill guides you through creating declarative YAML extensions for Sindri. Extensions are YAML files, not bash scripts - all configuration is driven by declarative YAML definitions.
Documentation Locations
IMPORTANT: After creating any extension, you must update the relevant documentation.
Key Documentation Files
Type Path Purpose
Schema v2/docker/lib/schemas/extension.schema.json
Extension validation schema
Registry v2/docker/lib/registry.yaml
Master extension registry
Profiles v2/docker/lib/profiles.yaml
Extension profile definitions
Categories v2/docker/lib/categories.yaml
Category definitions
Extension Docs docs/extensions/{NAME}.md
Individual extension documentation
Catalog v2/docs/EXTENSIONS.md
Overview of all extensions
Authoring Guide v2/docs/EXTENSION_AUTHORING.md
Detailed authoring reference
Slides docs/slides/extensions.html
Visual presentation
Quick Start Checklist
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Create directory: v2/docker/lib/extensions/{name}/
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Create extension.yaml with required sections
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Add to v2/docker/lib/registry.yaml
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Validate: ./v2/cli/extension-manager validate {name}
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Test: ./v2/cli/extension-manager install {name}
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Update documentation (see Post-Extension Checklist below)
Extension Directory Structure
v2/docker/lib/extensions/{extension-name}/ ├── extension.yaml # Required: Main definition ├── scripts/ # Optional: Custom scripts │ ├── install.sh # Custom installation │ ├── uninstall.sh # Custom removal │ └── validate.sh # Custom validation ├── templates/ # Optional: Config templates │ └── config.template └── mise.toml # Optional: mise configuration
Minimal Extension Template
metadata: name: my-extension version: 1.0.0 description: Brief description (10-200 chars) category: dev-tools dependencies: []
install: method: mise mise: configFile: mise.toml
validate: commands: - name: mytool versionFlag: --version expectedPattern: "v\d+\.\d+\.\d+"
Extension YAML Sections
Extensions consist of required sections (metadata, install, validate) and optional sections (requirements, configure, remove, upgrade, bom, capabilities).
IMPORTANT: Capabilities are OPTIONAL - Most extensions (nodejs, python, docker, etc.) don't need capabilities. Only extensions requiring project initialization, authentication, lifecycle hooks, or MCP integration need the capabilities section.
- Metadata (Required)
metadata: name: extension-name # lowercase with hyphens version: 1.0.0 # semantic versioning description: What it does # 10-200 characters category: dev-tools # see categories below author: Your Name # optional homepage: https://... # optional dependencies: # other extensions needed - nodejs - python
Valid Categories:
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base
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Core system components
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language
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Programming runtimes (Node.js, Python, etc.)
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dev-tools
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Development tools (linters, formatters)
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infrastructure
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Cloud/container tools (Docker, K8s, Terraform)
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ai
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AI/ML tools and frameworks
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agile
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Project management tools (Jira, Linear)
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database
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Database servers
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monitoring
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Observability tools
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mobile
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Mobile SDKs
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desktop
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GUI environments
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utilities
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General tools
- Requirements (Optional)
requirements: domains: # Network access needed - api.github.com - registry.npmjs.org diskSpace: 500 # MB required secrets: # Credentials needed - GITHUB_TOKEN
- Install (Required)
Choose ONE installation method:
mise (recommended for language tools):
install: method: mise mise: configFile: mise.toml # Reference to mise config reshim: true # Rebuild shims after install
apt (system packages):
install: method: apt apt: repositories: - name: docker key: https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu/gpg url: https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu suite: jammy component: stable packages: - docker-ce - docker-ce-cli
binary (direct download):
install: method: binary binary: url: https://github.com/org/repo/releases/download/v1.0.0/tool-linux-amd64.tar.gz extract: tar.gz # tar.gz, zip, or none destination: ~/.local/bin/tool
npm (Node.js packages):
install: method: npm npm: packages: - typescript - eslint global: true
script (custom installation):
install: method: script script: path: scripts/install.sh timeout: 300 # seconds (default: 300)
hybrid (multiple methods):
install: method: hybrid hybrid: steps: - method: apt apt: packages: [build-essential] - method: script script: path: scripts/install.sh
- Configure (Optional)
configure: templates: - source: templates/config.template destination: ~/.config/tool/config.yaml mode: overwrite # overwrite|append|merge|skip-if-exists environment: - key: TOOL_HOME value: $HOME/.tool scope: bashrc # bashrc|profile|session
- Validate (Required)
validate: commands: - name: tool-name versionFlag: --version expectedPattern: "\d+\.\d+\.\d+" mise: tools: - node - python minToolCount: 2 script: path: scripts/validate.sh timeout: 60
- Remove (Optional)
remove: confirmation: true mise: removeConfig: true tools: [node, python] apt: packages: [package-name] purge: false script: path: scripts/uninstall.sh paths: - ~/.config/tool - ~/.local/share/tool
- Upgrade (Optional)
upgrade: strategy: automatic # automatic|manual|none mise: upgradeAll: true apt: packages: [package-name] updateFirst: true script: path: scripts/upgrade.sh
- Bill of Materials (Optional but Recommended)
bom: tools: - name: node version: dynamic # or specific version source: mise type: runtime license: MIT homepage: https://nodejs.org
- Capabilities (Optional - Advanced Extensions Only)
Use capabilities when your extension needs:
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Project initialization - Commands to set up a new project (e.g., claude-flow init , spec-kit init )
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Authentication - Validate API keys or CLI authentication before running
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Lifecycle hooks - Pre/post install or project-init commands
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MCP integration - Register as a Model Context Protocol server for Claude Code
Most extensions don't need capabilities. Only use this for extensions that extend project management functionality.
capabilities:
Project initialization (optional)
project-init: enabled: true commands: - command: "mytool init --force" description: "Initialize mytool project" requiresAuth: anthropic # or: openai, github, none conditional: false # true = only run if condition met
state-markers:
- path: ".mytool"
type: directory
description: "Mytool configuration directory"
- path: ".mytool/config.json"
type: file
description: "Mytool config file"
validation:
command: "mytool --version"
expectedPattern: "^\\d+\\.\\d+\\.\\d+"
expectedExitCode: 0
Authentication (optional)
auth: provider: anthropic # or: openai, github, custom required: false # true = block installation without auth methods: - api-key # API key in environment variable - cli-auth # CLI authentication (e.g., Max/Pro plan) envVars: - ANTHROPIC_API_KEY validator: command: "claude --version" expectedExitCode: 0 features: - name: agent-spawn requiresApiKey: false description: "CLI-based features" - name: api-integration requiresApiKey: true description: "Direct API features"
Lifecycle hooks (optional)
hooks: pre-install: command: "echo 'Preparing installation...'" description: "Pre-installation checks" post-install: command: "mytool --version" description: "Verify installation" pre-project-init: command: "mytool doctor --check" description: "Pre-init health check" post-project-init: command: "echo 'Project initialized'" description: "Post-init notification"
MCP server registration (optional)
mcp: enabled: true server: command: "npx" args: - "-y" - "@mytool/mcp-server" - "start" env: MYTOOL_MCP_MODE: "1" tools: - name: "mytool-action" description: "Perform mytool action" - name: "mytool-query" description: "Query mytool data"
Feature configuration (optional, V3+ extensions)
features: core: daemon_autostart: true unified_config: true advanced: plugin_system: true security_scanning: false
Capability Guidelines:
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Keep it simple - Only add capabilities you actually need
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State markers - Define files/directories created by project-init for idempotency
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Conditional commands - Use conditional: true for optional setup steps
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Multi-method auth - Support both API key and CLI auth when possible
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Feature-level auth - Some features may work without API key (use features array)
Adding to Registry
After creating your extension, add it to v2/docker/lib/registry.yaml :
extensions: my-extension: category: dev-tools description: Short description dependencies: [nodejs] protected: false
Validation Commands
Validate single extension
./v2/cli/extension-manager validate my-extension
Validate all extensions
./v2/cli/extension-manager validate-all
Check extension info
./v2/cli/extension-manager info my-extension
Test installation
./v2/cli/extension-manager install my-extension
Check status
./v2/cli/extension-manager status my-extension
Common Patterns
Language Runtime (mise-based)
Best for: Node.js, Python, Go, Rust, Ruby
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Use method: mise with a mise.toml config file
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Set appropriate environment variables in configure section
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Validate with version command
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No capabilities needed - just install tools
Development Tool (npm-based)
Best for: TypeScript, ESLint, Prettier
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Depend on nodejs extension
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Use method: npm with global packages
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Add configuration templates
CLI Tool (binary download)
Best for: GitHub releases, standalone binaries
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Use method: binary with GitHub release URL
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Handle extraction (tar.gz, zip)
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Validate binary exists and runs
Complex Setup (hybrid)
Best for: Desktop environments, multi-step installs
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Use method: hybrid with ordered steps
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Combine apt + script for flexibility
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Include cleanup in remove section
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No capabilities needed unless it requires project initialization
AI/Project Management Tool (with capabilities)
Best for: Claude Flow, Agentic QE, Spec-Kit
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Use appropriate install method (mise, script, npm)
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Add capabilities section for project initialization
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Define state markers for idempotency (.claude/ , .agentic-qe/ , .github/spec.json )
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Include authentication configuration (anthropic, openai, github, or none)
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Add lifecycle hooks for post-install/post-init actions
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Register MCP server if extension provides Claude Code tools
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Example extensions: claude-flow-v3 , spec-kit , agentic-qe
Current Extensions Using Capabilities:
Extension project-init auth hooks mcp Notes
claude-flow-v2 ✓ anthropic ✓ ✓ Stable, 158+ aliases
claude-flow-v3 ✓ anthropic ✓ ✓ Alpha, 10x performance, 15 tools
agentic-qe ✓ anthropic ✓ ✓ AI-powered testing
spec-kit ✓ none ✓
GitHub spec documentation
agentic-flow ✓ anthropic ✓ ✓ Multi-agent workflows
Script Guidelines
All scripts must:
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Start with #!/usr/bin/env bash
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Include set -euo pipefail
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Exit 0 on success, non-zero on failure
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Use $HOME , $WORKSPACE environment variables
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Log progress with echo statements
Example:
#!/usr/bin/env bash set -euo pipefail
echo "Installing my-tool..."
Installation commands here
echo "my-tool installed successfully"
Troubleshooting
Issue Solution
Schema validation fails Check YAML syntax, verify required fields
Dependencies not found Add missing extensions to registry.yaml
Install times out Increase timeout in script section
Validation fails Check expectedPattern regex escaping
Permission denied Scripts must be executable
Post-Extension Documentation Checklist
CRITICAL: After creating or modifying an extension, you MUST complete these documentation updates:
Required Updates (Always Do These)
Registry Entry - Add to v2/docker/lib/registry.yaml
extensions: my-extension: category: dev-tools description: Short description dependencies: []
Extension Documentation - Create docs/extensions/{NAME}.md
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Use UPPERCASE for filename (e.g., NODEJS.md , AI-TOOLKIT.md )
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Include: overview, installation, configuration, usage examples
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For VisionFlow: docs/extensions/vision-flow/VF-{NAME}.md
Extension Catalog - Update v2/docs/EXTENSIONS.md
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Add to appropriate category table
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Include link to extension doc
Conditional Updates (When Applicable)
Profiles - If adding extension to profiles:
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Update v2/docker/lib/profiles.yaml
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Update relevant profile descriptions in v2/docs/EXTENSIONS.md
Categories - If adding new category:
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Update v2/docker/lib/categories.yaml
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Update v2/docker/lib/schemas/extension.schema.json (category enum)
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Update category docs in v2/docs/EXTENSIONS.md
Schema - If adding new extension fields:
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Update v2/docker/lib/schemas/extension.schema.json
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Update docs/SCHEMA.md
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Update REFERENCE.md in this skill
Slides - If extension is notable/featured:
- Update docs/slides/extensions.html
VisionFlow-Specific Updates
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Update docs/extensions/vision-flow/README.md
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Update docs/extensions/vision-flow/CAPABILITY-CATALOG.md
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Update VisionFlow profile if applicable
Validation After Updates
Validate YAML files
pnpm validate:yaml
Lint markdown
pnpm lint:md
Validate extension
./v2/cli/extension-manager validate {name}
Extension Documentation Template
When creating docs/extensions/{NAME}.md , use this template:
{Extension Name}
{Brief description of what the extension provides.}
Overview
{More detailed explanation of the extension's purpose and capabilities.}
Installation
```bash extension-manager install {name} ```
What Gets Installed
- {Tool 1} - {purpose}
- {Tool 2} - {purpose}
Configuration
{Any configuration options or environment variables.}
Usage
{Usage examples.}
Dependencies
{List any extension dependencies.}
Requirements
- Disk Space: {X} MB
- Network: {domains accessed}
- Secrets: {optional secrets}
Related Extensions
- {Related extension 1}
- {Related extension 2}
Reference Files
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Schema: v2/docker/lib/schemas/extension.schema.json
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Registry: v2/docker/lib/registry.yaml
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Categories: v2/docker/lib/categories.yaml
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Profiles: v2/docker/lib/profiles.yaml
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Examples: v2/docker/lib/extensions/*/extension.yaml
For detailed field reference, see REFERENCE.md. For complete examples, see EXAMPLES.md.
Tip: Use Glob and Grep tools to discover current documentation files dynamically:
Find all extension docs
ls docs/extensions/*.md
Find VisionFlow docs
ls docs/extensions/vision-flow/*.md