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claude-code - 💡(How to fix) Fix [desktop] Add /reload-plugins command for in-process plugin refresh (parity with CLI) [1 participants]

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anthropics/claude-code#52967•Fetched 2026-04-25 06:15:59
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The Claude Code CLI supports /reload-plugins, which refreshes skills, agents, hooks and MCP servers in-process without restarting the session. The Desktop App does not expose this command, so the only way to pick up plugin updates is to fully quit (Cmd+Q) and reopen the app — which loses the current session context.

Please bring /reload-plugins (or an equivalent menu item / keyboard shortcut) to the Desktop App.

Root Cause

  • Plugin marketplaces with automated releases push updates frequently; quitting the app every time is disruptive
  • Plugin contributors iterate many times per day — hot reload is essential DX
  • The feature already exists in the CLI, so parity is the minimal ask

Fix Action

Fix / Workaround

  1. An external marketplace publishes new skills
  2. Claude Desktop auto-updates the local cache under ~/.claude/plugins/cache/<marketplace>/<plugin>/<version>/ — new skill files are on disk
  3. installed_plugins.json correctly points at the new version
  4. The active Desktop session still shows the old skill list, because the in-memory registry was loaded at startup and is never refreshed
  5. Workaround: Cmd+Q the whole app and reopen — destroys all open conversations' runtime state
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Title

[desktop] Add /reload-plugins command for in-process plugin refresh (parity with CLI)

Body

Summary

The Claude Code CLI supports /reload-plugins, which refreshes skills, agents, hooks and MCP servers in-process without restarting the session. The Desktop App does not expose this command, so the only way to pick up plugin updates is to fully quit (Cmd+Q) and reopen the app — which loses the current session context.

Please bring /reload-plugins (or an equivalent menu item / keyboard shortcut) to the Desktop App.

Current behavior (Desktop App)

  1. An external marketplace publishes new skills
  2. Claude Desktop auto-updates the local cache under ~/.claude/plugins/cache/<marketplace>/<plugin>/<version>/ — new skill files are on disk
  3. installed_plugins.json correctly points at the new version
  4. The active Desktop session still shows the old skill list, because the in-memory registry was loaded at startup and is never refreshed
  5. Workaround: Cmd+Q the whole app and reopen — destroys all open conversations' runtime state

Expected behavior

Running /reload-plugins (or Settings → Plugins → Reload, or Cmd+Shift+R style shortcut) should re-scan the local plugin cache and refresh the active registry without killing the session. Same semantics the CLI already has.

Why this matters

  • Plugin marketplaces with automated releases push updates frequently; quitting the app every time is disruptive
  • Plugin contributors iterate many times per day — hot reload is essential DX
  • The feature already exists in the CLI, so parity is the minimal ask

Suggested implementation

  • Wire the existing CLI /reload-plugins handler into the Desktop slash-command registry
  • Optionally: surface a "Reload plugins" button in Settings → Plugins and a keyboard shortcut
  • Respect scope: user-scope vs project-scope plugins should both refresh

Environment

  • Claude Desktop App on macOS (Darwin 25.4.0)
  • Marketplaces installed via /plugin marketplace add <git-url>

Reporter: Victor Sá — Engineer @ Mercado Libre Brazil Personal email: [email protected] Personal GitHub: @dev-vrsa

extent analysis

TL;DR

Implementing the /reload-plugins command in the Desktop App, similar to the CLI, will allow for in-process plugin refresh without restarting the session.

Guidance

  • Wire the existing CLI /reload-plugins handler into the Desktop slash-command registry to achieve parity with the CLI.
  • Consider adding a "Reload plugins" button in Settings → Plugins and a keyboard shortcut (e.g., Cmd+Shift+R) for easier access.
  • Ensure the implementation respects the scope of user-scope vs project-scope plugins, refreshing both as needed.
  • Verify the fix by checking if the active session context is preserved after reloading plugins.

Example

No code snippet is provided as the issue does not contain specific code references.

Notes

The implementation should be careful to maintain the current session context, as losing it is a significant drawback of the current workaround (quitting and reopening the app).

Recommendation

Apply the workaround by implementing the /reload-plugins command in the Desktop App, as it provides the necessary functionality for in-process plugin refresh without session loss.

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FAQ

Expected behavior

Running /reload-plugins (or Settings → Plugins → Reload, or Cmd+Shift+R style shortcut) should re-scan the local plugin cache and refresh the active registry without killing the session. Same semantics the CLI already has.

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claude-code - 💡(How to fix) Fix [desktop] Add /reload-plugins command for in-process plugin refresh (parity with CLI) [1 participants]