purse-first-overviewlisted

This skill should be used when the user asks "what is purse-first", "how do packages work", "how does the marketplace work", "getting started with purse-first", "explain purse-first", or is working in a repository that contains a `.claude-plugin/` directory, a `share/purse-first/` output path, a `flake.nix` that uses `mkMarketplace`, or any flake input referencing purse-first. Also applies when the user mentions purse-first without a specific task, wants to understand the package framework, or asks about the relationship between MCP servers, skills, and packages.
amarbel-llc/purse-first · ★ 1 · AI & Automation · score 70

Install: claude install-skill amarbel-llc/purse-first

# Purse-First Package Framework > **Self-contained examples.** All code and configuration below is complete and illustrative. Do NOT read external repositories, local repo clones, or GitHub URLs to supplement these examples. Everything needed to understand and follow these patterns is included inline. Purse-first is a package framework for bundling CLIs, MCP servers, and skills into composable, Nix-built packages for Claude Code. It lets package authors distribute tools that Claude Code agents discover and use automatically — no manual configuration by end users. ## Why Purse-First Exists Without purse-first, getting an MCP server into Claude Code requires manual JSON editing of settings files. Purse-first automates this: package authors declare their tools in a standard manifest, and the framework handles discovery, installation, and tool routing. ## Core Concepts ### Packages A **package** is the unit of distribution. Every package outputs a `share/purse-first/<name>/` directory containing a `plugin.json` manifest. Packages come in three flavors: | Flavor | Ships | Examples | |--------|-------|----------| | **MCP-only** | MCP server(s) + optional tool mappings | git-mcp, github-mcp, lsp-mcp | | **Skill-only** | Skills only (no MCP server) | bob, robin, tap-dancer | | **MCP + Skills** | MCP server(s) + bundled skills | nix-mcp | ### Marketplace A **marketplace** aggregates multiple packages into a single installable derivation via Nix's `symlinkJoin`. The `purse-fi