Decision tree

“I want to do X — which Claude component should I use?”

Use this table to find the right component type for a goal you have in mind.

If you want to… Reach for Why
Go from “I have problem X” to a grounded, runnable solution without first knowing which components exist The Composer plugin (/composer:compose) It matches your problem against the whole catalog/recipes/systems index, assembles the simplest grounded solution, and offers to install and run it.
Search a database (PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, ChEMBL, …) from Claude MCP server Databases expose searchable APIs; MCP wraps them as tools Claude can call.
Add a one-click integration inside Claude.ai chat Connector Connectors are toggled from claude.ai/directory/connectors without install commands. Requires Pro/Team/Enterprise for unlimited custom connectors.
Give Claude Code a focused capability (e.g., “design a clinical trial protocol”) Skill Skills load context and conventions for one task. The same SKILL.md works in Cowork and other Skill-compatible agents.
Automate desktop/office work (files, spreadsheets, slides) without writing code Claude Cowork Cowork is the non-developer counterpart to Claude Code; runs in a sandboxed desktop VM.
Bundle several skills + MCP servers + hooks into one installable unit Plugin Plugins are the distribution format that combines multiple component types.
Share components with your team via a single install command Marketplace Marketplaces let /plugin install … and /plugin marketplace add … pull from a curated marketplace.json.
Run a script automatically before/after Claude calls a tool Hook (advanced) Hooks fire on Claude Code events. Not user-facing capabilities.
Add a custom /myCommand to your project Slash command (advanced) Slash commands are user-defined entry points. They can wrap any of the above.

Not sure which surface you’re using?

See Claude surfaces. Skills, MCP servers, and Plugins work in Claude Code and Cowork; Connectors work in Claude.ai and Desktop. Some tools (e.g., PubMed) are available in multiple surfaces — the catalog entries enumerate every install path per tool.

See also