You'll noticeTier: how much it should matter to you
4Useful: my rating, 1 to 5
1Signal: worth watching, 1 to 5
PluginsArea: what it touches
New FeaturesKind: in v2.1.323,
What probably matters to youSection of the release
What
A plugin is an add-on that extends Claude Code. Plugins can now declare a range of Claude Code versions they work with. Claude Code compares that range with the version you are running:
Installing a plugin outside its range is refused.
An installed plugin outside its range is not loaded. The message reads not loaded: needs Claude Code <range>, this is <version>, followed by either "Run claude update" or "A newer version of the plugin may fit".
The plugin stays installed and loads again once your version fits.
Automatic plugin updates are held when the newer plugin version needs a different Claude Code version, and the screen shows "Autoupdate held".
A plugin whose dependency needs another Claude Code version also fails.
A plugin read from a local folder loads anyway, with a note saying so.
A range that is not valid is ignored, with a warning.
The update summary also counts plugins that are out of range.
Why
Plugin authors can now say which Claude Code versions their plugin supports. As a user, you may see a plugin refused, not loaded or held at an older version, and the message tells you whether updating Claude Code or the plugin should fix it.
How sure we are
One source agreesOne thing we can check says the same as this entry.
Anthropic's release notes agreeFixed a case where pressing Ctrl+C just as claude update finished removed the claude command
