| # Explanatory Output Style Plugin |
|
|
| This plugin recreates the deprecated Explanatory output style as a SessionStart |
| hook. |
|
|
| WARNING: Do not install this plugin unless you are fine with incurring the token |
| cost of this plugin's additional instructions and output. |
|
|
| ## What it does |
|
|
| When enabled, this plugin automatically adds instructions at the start of each |
| session that encourage Claude to: |
|
|
| 1. Provide educational insights about implementation choices |
| 2. Explain codebase patterns and decisions |
| 3. Balance task completion with learning opportunities |
|
|
| ## How it works |
|
|
| The plugin uses a SessionStart hook to inject additional context into every |
| session. This context instructs Claude to provide brief educational explanations |
| before and after writing code, formatted as: |
|
|
| ``` |
| `★ Insight ─────────────────────────────────────` |
| [2-3 key educational points] |
| `─────────────────────────────────────────────────` |
| ``` |
|
|
| ## Usage |
|
|
| Once installed, the plugin activates automatically at the start of every |
| session. No additional configuration is needed. |
|
|
| The insights focus on: |
|
|
| - Specific implementation choices for your codebase |
| - Patterns and conventions in your code |
| - Trade-offs and design decisions |
| - Codebase-specific details rather than general programming concepts |
|
|
| ## Migration from Output Styles |
|
|
| This plugin replaces the deprecated "Explanatory" output style setting. If you |
| previously used: |
|
|
| ```json |
| { |
| "outputStyle": "Explanatory" |
| } |
| ``` |
|
|
| You can now achieve the same behavior by installing this plugin instead. |
|
|
| More generally, this SessionStart hook pattern is roughly equivalent to |
| CLAUDE.md, but it is more flexible and allows for distribution through plugins. |
|
|
| Note: Output styles that involve tasks besides software development, are better |
| expressed as |
| [subagents](https://docs.claude.com/en/docs/claude-code/sub-agents), not as |
| SessionStart hooks. Subagents change the system prompt while SessionStart hooks |
| add to the default system prompt. |
|
|
| ## Managing changes |
|
|
| - Disable the plugin - keep the code installed on your device |
| - Uninstall the plugin - remove the code from your device |
| - Update the plugin - create a local copy of this plugin to personalize this |
| plugin |
| - Hint: Ask Claude to read |
| https://docs.claude.com/en/docs/claude-code/plugins.md and set it up for |
| you! |
| |
