plugin-lifecycle Skill

Purpose: Manage the complete lifecycle of plugins from installation to removal with proper state tracking and safety features.

Overview

This skill handles all plugin lifecycle operations on macOS:

• Installation (Mode 1): Copy Release binaries to system folders (~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/)
• Uninstallation (Mode 2): Clean removal from system folders (preserves source code)
• Reset to Ideation (Mode 3): Remove implementation, keep idea/mockups (surgical rollback)
• Destroy (Mode 4): Complete removal with backup (nuclear option)

All operations include proper permissions, cache clearing, state tracking, and safety features (confirmations, backups).

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Mode Dispatcher

This skill operates in different modes based on the invoking command:

Mode	Operation	Command	Purpose
1	Installation	/install-plugin	Deploy to system folders
2	Uninstallation	/uninstall	Remove binaries, keep source
3	Reset to Ideation	/reset-to-ideation	Remove implementation, keep idea/mockups
4	Destroy	/destroy	Complete removal with backup
Menu	Interactive	/clean	Present menu, user chooses mode

Invocation Pattern: When user runs /install-plugin [Name], the command expands to a prompt that invokes THIS skill. Determine mode by examining command (see references/invocation-protocol.md), then load ONLY the relevant reference file:

• Mode 1 → Load and execute references/installation-process.md ONLY
• Mode 2 → Load and execute references/uninstallation-process.md ONLY
• Mode 3 → Load and execute references/mode-3-reset.md ONLY
• Mode 4 → Load and execute references/mode-4-destroy.md ONLY
• Menu → Present menu, wait for selection, then load chosen mode reference file

IMPORTANT: Do NOT load other mode reference files. Load only the reference file for the active mode to optimize context window usage.

Installation targets (macOS):

• VST3, AU: ~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/, ~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/
• AAX: ~/Library/Application Support/Avid/Audio/Plug-Ins/ (future)

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Installation Workflow (Mode 1 - Critical - Do Not Skip Steps)

Copy this checklist to track installation progress:

Installation Progress:
- [ ] Step 1: Build verification (BLOCKING)
- [ ] Step 2: Product name extraction
- [ ] Step 3: Old version removal
- [ ] Step 4: Copy to system folders (BLOCKING)
- [ ] Step 5: Permissions verification (BLOCKING)
- [ ] Step 6: Cache clearing
- [ ] Step 7: Verification (BLOCKING)
- [ ] Step 8: PLUGINS.md update (BLOCKING)

Execute these steps in order:

1. Build Verification (BLOCKING) - Check Release binaries exist, offer to build if missing

   • See: references/installation-process.md Step 1
   • Cannot proceed without binaries

2. Product Name Extraction - Extract PRODUCT_NAME from CMakeLists.txt

   • See: references/installation-process.md Step 2
   • Required for all subsequent steps

3. Old Version Removal - Remove existing installations to prevent conflicts

   • See: references/installation-process.md Step 3
   • Can proceed if no old version exists

4. Copy to System Folders (BLOCKING) - Install VST3 and AU to macOS plugin directories

   • See: references/installation-process.md Step 4
   • Core installation step

5. Permissions Verification (BLOCKING) - Set 755 permissions for DAW access

   • See: references/installation-process.md Step 5
   • DAWs cannot load plugins without correct permissions

6. Cache Clearing - Clear Ableton Live and Logic Pro caches

   • See: references/cache-management.md
   • Display warning if fails, then proceed

7. Verification (BLOCKING) - Confirm installation with file checks and size validation

   • See: references/installation-process.md Step 7
   • Must confirm success before declaring completion

8. PLUGINS.md Update (BLOCKING) - Record installation status and locations

   • See: references/installation-process.md Step 8
   • State tracking is part of success criteria

Note: Steps marked BLOCKING must succeed before proceeding.

Feedback Loop: If Step 7 (Verification) fails:

1. Review error details
2. Check reference file: references/error-handling.md
3. Apply fix
4. Retry from Step 4 (Copy to System Folders)

If verification succeeds, proceed to decision menu.

See references/installation-process.md for complete implementation.

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Cache Management

See references/cache-management.md for cache clearing procedures (invoked during installation and uninstallation).

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Uninstallation Workflow (Mode 2)

See references/uninstallation-process.md for complete uninstallation process (locate, confirm, remove, clear caches, update PLUGINS.md).

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Reset to Ideation Workflow (Mode 3)

Surgical rollback - removes implementation, preserves idea/mockups. Use case: Implementation failed but concept is solid. See references/mode-3-reset.md for complete process.

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Destroy Workflow (Mode 4)

Complete removal with backup. Use case: Abandoned experiment, never using again. Requires exact plugin name confirmation (safety gate). See references/mode-4-destroy.md for complete process.

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Interactive Menu (Mode: Menu)

When invoked via /clean [PluginName], present interactive menu:

Plugin cleanup options for [PluginName]:

1. Uninstall - Remove binaries from system folders (keep source code)
2. Reset to ideation - Remove implementation, keep idea/mockups
3. Destroy - Complete removal with backup (IRREVERSIBLE except via backup)
4. Cancel

Choose (1-4): _

Menu logic:

1. Read current status from PLUGINS.md
2. Filter options based on status:
   • IF status = "💡 Ideated" → Show options 2, 3, 4 (cannot uninstall what isn't built)
   • IF status = "✅ Working" → Show options 1, 2, 3, 4 (not installed yet)
   • IF status = "📦 Installed" → Show ALL options (full lifecycle available)
   • IF status = "🚧 In Progress" → Show only option 4 (Cancel)
   • ELSE (unknown status) → Show ALL options with warning: "Unknown status '[status]' - showing all options"
3. Present filtered menu, wait for user choice
4. Route to selected mode (1-4) or exit on Cancel

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Checkpoint Protocol

After successful operations, check workflow mode before presenting decision menu:

1. Check workflow mode:

   • Read .claude/preferences.json for workflow.mode setting
   • Modes: "manual" (present menu) or "express" (skip menu)

2. Manual mode (default):

   • Present decision menu to user
   • See references/decision-menu-protocol.md for menu format

3. Express mode:

   • Skip decision menu
   • Return control to caller immediately

Note: plugin-lifecycle operations are terminal (don't chain to next stage), so express mode behavior is: complete operation → skip menu → end workflow.

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Integration Points

Invoked by:

• /install-plugin [PluginName] → Mode 1 (Installation)
• /uninstall [PluginName] → Mode 2 (Uninstallation)
• /reset-to-ideation [PluginName] → Mode 3 (Reset)
• /destroy [PluginName] → Mode 4 (Destroy)
• /clean [PluginName] → Interactive menu
• plugin-workflow skill → After Stage 3 (auto-installs)
• plugin-improve skill → After successful changes (offers reinstallation)
• Natural language: "Install [PluginName]", "Remove [PluginName]", "Clean up [PluginName]"

Invokes:

• None (terminal skill, doesn't invoke others)

Invocation patterns: See references/invocation-protocol.md for mode detection and routing.

Updates:

• PLUGINS.md → Table row: status, version, last updated
• plugins/[Name]/NOTES.md → Status metadata, timeline entries, installation details

Creates:

• System folder installations (non-git-tracked):
  • ~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/[Product].vst3
  • ~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/[Product].component

Blocks:

• None (installation is optional, plugins can be tested without installing)

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Success Criteria

Installation is successful when: VST3/AU installed with 755 permissions, caches cleared, PLUGINS.md updated, user informed of next steps.

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