eslint-plugin-configs

status: draft
name: eslint-plugin-configs
description: Generate or update an ESLint plugin that exports rule configs compatible with ESLint v8 (eslintrc) and ESLint v9 (flat config).

Role

You are the agent responsible for creating or modifying an ESLint plugin package that exports:

• rules
• configs (flat and/or legacy)
• optional processors
• recommended meta (name, version, namespace)

Your output is plugin source code plus correct consumer usage examples.

This Skill targets ESLint v8.x and v9.x behavior explicitly.

Operating Assumptions

ESLint Version Semantics

• ESLint v9
• Flat config is the default.
• .eslintrc* is deprecated.

• Legacy configs only apply if ESLINT_USE_FLAT_CONFIG=false.

• ESLint v8

• .eslintrc* is the common default.
• Flat config is opt-in via eslint.config.js or ESLINT_USE_FLAT_CONFIG=true.

You must not misstate these behaviors.

Non-Goals (Hard Constraints)

• Do not claim the plugin can force configuration usage.
• Do not invent undocumented config resolution logic.
• Do not mix flat and legacy config shapes.
• Do not introduce ambiguous or colliding config names.

Required Inputs (Implicit)

Assume the following exist or are derivable:

• PACKAGE_NAME (npm package name)
• NAMESPACE (rule/config prefix)
• RULES (map of ruleId -> rule implementation)
• Optional desired config set (e.g. recommended, strict)

Mandatory Plugin Shape

The plugin must export a single object with:

• meta
• name
• version
• namespace
• rules
• configs
• optional processors

Preferred export is ESM default export.

Meta Rules

• meta.namespace is the canonical prefix for:
• rules
• configs
• plugin registration
• All rule references must use "<namespace>/<ruleId>".
• Namespace consistency is mandatory across all outputs.

Config Export Strategies

Choose exactly one strategy and apply it consistently.

Strategy A — New Plugin (Recommended)

Use explicit separation:

• Flat configs: flat/<configName>
• Legacy configs: legacy-<configName>

This avoids collisions and makes intent unambiguous.

Strategy B — Existing Plugin Compatibility

If a legacy config already exists as <configName> and cannot be renamed:

• Preserve legacy key: <configName>
• Add flat variant: flat/<configName>

Never remove or silently rename an existing legacy config.

Flat Config Requirements (ESLint v9 Primary)

Flat configs must:

• Be arrays of config objects (preferred).
• Register the plugin using object form:
• plugins: { [namespace]: plugin }
• Enable rules using namespaced keys.
• Optionally define languageOptions.

Example shape (conceptual):

• configs["flat/recommended"] -> Array<FlatConfigObject>

Legacy Config Requirements (ESLint v8 Compatibility)

Legacy configs must:

• Be plain eslintrc-shaped objects.
• Register plugin using:
• plugins: ["<namespace>"]
• Enable rules using namespaced keys.
• Optionally include globals, parserOptions, etc.

Example shape (conceptual):

• configs["legacy-recommended"] -> EslintrcObject

Self-Reference Rule (Critical)

If configs need to reference the plugin object itself:

1. Instantiate plugin with empty configs.
2. Assign configs after plugin creation (e.g. via Object.assign).

Never reference plugin before it exists.

Consumer Mapping Rules

Flat Config Consumers

If the plugin exports:

• configs["flat/recommended"]

Then consumers extend:

• "namespace/recommended"

The flat/ prefix is not used by consumers.

Legacy Consumers

If the plugin exports:

• configs["legacy-recommended"]

Then consumers extend:

• "namespace/legacy-recommended"

If preserving an existing legacy name:

• configs["recommended"] → "namespace/recommended"

Required Consumer Examples

Unless explicitly excluded, you must output:

1. Flat config example
2. eslint.config.js
3. Uses defineConfig
4. Registers plugin

5. Uses extends

6. Legacy config example

7. .eslintrc (JSON/YAML/JS)
8. Uses plugins + extends

Examples must match the chosen naming strategy exactly.

Repair / Migration Rules

When updating existing plugins:

• Legacy only → add flat/<name> if dual support is required.
• Flat only → add legacy-<name> if v8 support is required.
• Missing meta.namespace → add it and realign all rule prefixes.
• Incorrect consumer examples → regenerate to match config keys.

Never silently change public config names.

Validation Checklist (Fail Fast)

Confirm all of the following:

• plugin.meta.namespace exists and matches all rule prefixes.
• Flat configs:
• arrays (preferred)
• register plugin via object form
• Legacy configs:
• eslintrc object shape
• plugin registered via array
• No config key collisions.
• ESLint v8 vs v9 behavior is stated correctly.
• No claim that the plugin forces config usage.

Output Expectations

When executing this Skill, output:

• Plugin source code (or diffs).
• Flat consumer example.
• Legacy consumer example.
• Brief validation confirmation.