Build a hybrid package

A hybrid is useful when instructions explain how and when to use tools. Both components live under one root manifest. A client may support them differently, so keep per-component compatibility findings visible in the handoff.

Choose the MCP side explicitly

The hybrid flag is --mcp-template. Choose mcp-remote or mcp-stdio, then supply that template's required inputs. A hybrid does not infer a transport from the URL, local files, or installed runtimes.

Remote hybrid example:

agentplugins author init ./research-helper \
  --template hybrid \
  --name research-helper \
  --description 'Guide research using the team MCP service' \
  --skill-name research-guide \
  --mcp-template mcp-remote \
  --url https://mcp.example.com/mcp

The URL is an example placeholder, not a promised service. Replace it with your actual endpoint. Read the remote MCP requirements.

Or choose a local process

For a different, absent destination, the stdio variant is:

agentplugins author init ./local-research \
  --template hybrid \
  --name local-research \
  --description 'Guide research using local Node tools' \
  --skill-name research-guide \
  --mcp-template mcp-stdio \
  --runtime node

Do not add --url to the stdio variant. Review the stdio prerequisite and runtime limits.

Connect instructions to tools

A remote hybrid has this core layout:

research-helper/
  plugin.json
  mcp.json
  skills/
    research-guide/
      SKILL.md

README and .gitignore are also created. A stdio hybrid adds the Node source and package files described in the stdio journey. Review SKILL.md so that it names when to use the tools, what input is needed, and how to report missing access. Do not tell the agent to treat Skill text as an authorization grant.

Check both components

agentplugins author skills validate ./research-helper
agentplugins author validate ./research-helper
agentplugins author inspect ./research-helper --target codex,claude
agentplugins author test ./research-helper
agentplugins author compat ./research-helper --target codex,claude

For the local variant, select ./local-research instead. Preserve component-level findings: a client supporting the Skill does not automatically support the MCP transport or activate the service. A combined package does not erase that limit.

Continue with extra Skills or handoff.