version: "1.0.0" name: laravel-plugin-discovery description: CIEL's framework for MCP-based package discovery and health evaluation. Finds, filters, and assesses Laravel packages via LaraPlugins.io MCP with health scoring and version compatibility checks. license: MIT metadata: ciel-version: 1.0.0 ciel-extension: ciel.yaml

CIEL ADAPTATION: Laravel Plugin Discovery

This skill discovers and evaluates Laravel packages via the LaraPlugins.io MCP server. While originally Laravel-specific, the discovery-plus-health-check pattern is reusable beyond Laravel — the MCP-based search, health-band filtering, and compatibility matrix approach applies to any package ecosystem with an MCP endpoint.

MCP Configuration

Add to ~/.claude.json mcpServers:

"laraplugins": {
  "type": "http",
  "url": "https://laraplugins.io/mcp/plugins"
}

No API key required — the server is free for the Laravel community.

MCP Tools

SearchPluginTool

Search packages by keyword, health score, vendor, and version compatibility.

• text_search (string, optional): Keyword (e.g. "permission", "admin", "api")
• health_score (string, optional): Healthy, Medium, Unhealthy, or Unrated
• laravel_compatibility (string, optional): "5" through "13"
• php_compatibility (string, optional): "7.4" through "8.5"
• vendor_filter (string, optional): Vendor name (e.g. "spatie", "laravel")
• page (number, optional): Pagination

GetPluginDetailsTool

Fetch detailed metrics, readme content, and version history.

• package (string, required): Full Composer name (e.g. "spatie/laravel-permission")
• include_versions (boolean, optional): Include version history

Health Bands

Best Practices

• Always filter by health_score: "Healthy" for production projects.
• Match laravel_compatibility to the target project's Laravel version.
• Prefer packages from known vendors (spatie, laravel, etc.).
• Use GetPluginDetailsTool for comprehensive assessment before recommending.
• Combine filters: search by keyword + health + version for precise results.

Anti-Patterns

• Blind search without health filter: Recommending unrated or unhealthy packages for production use.
• Ignoring version compatibility: Adding a package that doesn't support the project's Laravel or PHP version.
• Skipping detail lookup: Recommending based on search results alone without checking vendor reputation and risk score.
• Assuming free = no limits: While no API key is needed, respect the MCP endpoint's rate limits and pagination.