{"version":"2.1.287","anchor":"plugin-install-replace-now-has-an-error-message-requiring","canonical_anchor":"plugin-install-replace-now-has-an-error-message-requiring","heading":"plugin install --replace explains that it needs a full plugin id","tier":"use","area":"Plugins","url":"https:\/\/changelogs.core-directive.com\/v\/2.1.287\/e\/plugin-install-replace-now-has-an-error-message-requiring","release_url":"https:\/\/changelogs.core-directive.com\/v\/2.1.287","markdown":"### `plugin install --replace` explains that it needs a full plugin id\n\nRunning `plugin install --replace` without a name@marketplace id now says that id is needed and that nothing was installed\n\n**Unclear.** It is not clear what controls whether `--replace` is available in a given session.\n\n**What**\n\n`claude plugin install` has a hidden `--replace` option. It switches a plugin you already installed from one marketplace (a catalog of plugins) to the copy from another: it installs the new copy, carries your plugin settings and secrets over, and uninstalls the old one. It only works between the Anthropic Directory and Anthropic's official marketplaces.\n\nIf you leave out the full id, Claude Code now says: \"--replace switches one copy of a plugin for another, so it needs the full id of the copy to switch to: name@marketplace. Nothing was installed.\" Before, this case gave an empty message.\n\nOther things around the switch:\n\n- A session started with `--setting-sources` or `--restricted` that leaves out user, project or local settings refuses the switch and tells you to try again from a session started without them.\n\n- In `\/plugin`, a confirmation screen asks \"Switch ... to ...?\", shows the plugin id and commit now and after, lists which copies will be uninstalled, and takes y to switch or n or Escape to cancel.\n\n- The plugin details view shows the commit a plugin was installed at for Anthropic Directory installs.\n\n- The plugin update message now says the plugin was updated to the listed commit.\n\n**Why**\n\nA `--replace` install that is missing the full id now tells you what to add instead of failing with no explanation.\n\n- Flag `tengu_encapsulated_pebble`: On for this account, and not off by default (read for one account on one subscription tier against v2.1.287; this account: on, anonymous baseline: on, compiled default: on) These values were read against a different version of Claude Code, so treat them as the nearest reading available instead of one taken on this release.\n- Flag `tengu_spicy_blossom`: Not enough to say (read for one account on one subscription tier against v2.1.287; this account: no value returned, anonymous baseline: no value returned, compiled default: off) These values were read against a different version of Claude Code, so treat them as the nearest reading available instead of one taken on this release.\n- Area: Plugins\n- Names: `claude plugin install`\n- Tier: Use it now\n- Useful: 4\/5\n- Signal: 4\/5"}