plugin-lifecycle

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).

---

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](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)

---

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

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

- See: references/installation-process.md Step 2

- Required for all subsequent steps

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

- See: references/installation-process.md Step 3

- Can proceed if no old version exists

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

- See: references/installation-process.md Step 4

- Core installation step

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

- See: references/installation-process.md Step 5

- DAWs cannot load plugins without correct permissions

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

- See: references/cache-management.md

- Display warning if fails, then proceed

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

- See: references/installation-process.md Step 7

- Must confirm success before declaring completion

1. 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](references/installation-process.md) for complete implementation.

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

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

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

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

---

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"

1. Present filtered menu, wait for user choice
2. Route to selected mode (1-4) or exit on Cancel

---

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)

1. Manual mode (default):

- Present decision menu to user

- See [references/decision-menu-protocol.md](references/decision-menu-protocol.md) for menu format

1. 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.

---

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

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