Guide for distinguishing Claude Code features (Commands, Skills, Agents, Hooks, Rules) and selection criteria. Use when decomposing context files, deciding where to add new features, or customizing Claude Code.
View on GitHubmasseater/claude-code-plugin
mutils
plugins/mutils/skills/claude-code-features/SKILL.md
January 23, 2026
Select agents to install to:
npx add-skill https://github.com/masseater/claude-code-plugin/blob/main/plugins/mutils/skills/claude-code-features/SKILL.md -a claude-code --skill claude-code-featuresInstallation paths:
.claude/skills/claude-code-features/# Claude Code Features Guide
Guide for choosing between 5 major Claude Code features.
## Feature Overview
| Feature | Trigger | Essence | Best For |
|---------|---------|---------|----------|
| **Commands** | Manual (`/command`) | Inject saved prompts instantly | Repeatable **standard workflows** by user execute |
| **Skills** | Auto (Claude decides) | Knowledge loaded on demand | **On-demand knowledge** (tool usage, guidelines) |
| **Agents** | Manual/delegation | Specialists with independent context | **Bulk data processing** & parallel tasks |
| **Hooks** | Event-driven | Shell scripts auto-executed around tools | **Deterministic automation** |
| **Rules** | Conditional/always | Modularized rules | **Path-conditional constraints** |
## Decision Flowchart
```
1. "Should it auto-execute on events like file edits?"
→ Yes: Hooks (implement as shell commands)
2. "Needs independent context for bulk data processing?"
→ Yes: Agents (don't pollute main conversation)
3. "Knowledge not always needed, but should surface when relevant?"
→ Yes: Skills (tool usage guides, domain expertise, patterns)
4. "Standard procedure user explicitly executes?"
→ Yes: Commands (instant /command execution)
5. "Constraints for specific paths or entire project?"
→ Yes: Rules (conditional with paths:)
6. Cannot classify
→ Keep in CLAUDE.md
```
## Feature Details
- @${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/claude-code-features/commands.md
- @${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/claude-code-features/skills.md
- @${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/claude-code-features/agents.md
- @${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/claude-code-features/hooks.md
- @${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/claude-code-features/rules.md
## References
@${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/claude-code-features/references.mdIssues Found: