diff --git a/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/docs.ts b/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/docs.ts
index b3a7f357..6b001b72 100644
--- a/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/docs.ts
+++ b/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/docs.ts
@@ -144,4 +144,14 @@ export const docsCommand = new Command("docs")
     "Section name (e.g. 'plugins') or path to a doc file (e.g. './docs.md')",
   )
   .option("--full", "Show complete index including all API reference entries")
+  .addHelpText(
+    "after",
+    `
+Examples:
+  $ appkit docs
+  $ appkit docs plugins
+  $ appkit docs "appkit-ui API reference"
+  $ appkit docs ./docs/plugins/analytics.md
+  $ appkit docs --full`,
+  )
   .action(runDocs);
diff --git a/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/generate-types.ts b/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/generate-types.ts
index 06c8b016..2d893135 100644
--- a/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/generate-types.ts
+++ b/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/generate-types.ts
@@ -16,6 +16,9 @@ async function runGenerateTypes(
       warehouseId || process.env.DATABRICKS_WAREHOUSE_ID;
 
     if (!resolvedWarehouseId) {
+      console.error(
+        "Skipping type generation: no warehouse ID. Set DATABRICKS_WAREHOUSE_ID or pass as argument.",
+      );
       process.exit(0);
     }
 
@@ -42,6 +45,8 @@ async function runGenerateTypes(
       warehouseId: resolvedWarehouseId,
       noCache: options?.noCache || false,
     });
+
+    console.log(`Generated types: ${resolvedOutFile}`);
   } catch (error) {
     if (
       error instanceof Error &&
@@ -67,4 +72,13 @@ export const generateTypesCommand = new Command("generate-types")
   )
   .argument("[warehouseId]", "Databricks warehouse ID")
   .option("--no-cache", "Disable caching for type generation")
+  .addHelpText(
+    "after",
+    `
+Examples:
+  $ appkit generate-types
+  $ appkit generate-types . client/src/types.d.ts
+  $ appkit generate-types . client/src/types.d.ts my-warehouse-id
+  $ appkit generate-types --no-cache`,
+  )
   .action(runGenerateTypes);
diff --git a/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/lint.ts b/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/lint.ts
index ad39a961..00eb55ad 100644
--- a/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/lint.ts
+++ b/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/lint.ts
@@ -143,4 +143,10 @@ function runLint() {
 
 export const lintCommand = new Command("lint")
   .description("Run AST-based linting on TypeScript files")
+  .addHelpText(
+    "after",
+    `
+Examples:
+  $ appkit lint`,
+  )
   .action(runLint);
diff --git a/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/plugin/add-resource/add-resource.ts b/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/plugin/add-resource/add-resource.ts
index e614cd17..dc1a327e 100644
--- a/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/plugin/add-resource/add-resource.ts
+++ b/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/plugin/add-resource/add-resource.ts
@@ -4,7 +4,12 @@ import process from "node:process";
 import { cancel, intro, outro } from "@clack/prompts";
 import { Command } from "commander";
 import { promptOneResource } from "../create/prompt-resource";
-import { humanizeResourceType } from "../create/resource-defaults";
+import {
+  DEFAULT_PERMISSION_BY_TYPE,
+  getDefaultFieldsForType,
+  humanizeResourceType,
+  resourceKeyFromType,
+} from "../create/resource-defaults";
 import { resolveManifestInDir } from "../manifest-resolve";
 import type { PluginManifest, ResourceRequirement } from "../manifest-types";
 import { validateManifest } from "../validate/validate-manifest";
@@ -14,17 +19,29 @@ interface ManifestWithExtras extends PluginManifest {
   [key: string]: unknown;
 }
 
-async function runPluginAddResource(options: { path?: string }): Promise<void> {
-  intro("Add resource to plugin manifest");
+interface AddResourceOptions {
+  path?: string;
+  type?: string;
+  required?: boolean;
+  resourceKey?: string;
+  description?: string;
+  permission?: string;
+  fieldsJson?: string;
+  dryRun?: boolean;
+}
 
-  const cwd = process.cwd();
-  const pluginDir = path.resolve(cwd, options.path ?? ".");
+function loadManifest(
+  pluginDir: string,
+): { manifest: ManifestWithExtras; manifestPath: string } | null {
   const resolved = resolveManifestInDir(pluginDir, { allowJsManifest: true });
 
   if (!resolved) {
     console.error(
       `No manifest found in ${pluginDir}. This command requires manifest.json (manifest.js cannot be edited in place).`,
     );
+    console.error(
+      "  appkit plugin add-resource --path <dir-with-manifest.json>",
+    );
     process.exit(1);
   }
 
@@ -37,7 +54,6 @@ async function runPluginAddResource(options: { path?: string }): Promise<void> {
 
   const manifestPath = resolved.path;
 
-  let manifest: ManifestWithExtras;
   try {
     const raw = fs.readFileSync(manifestPath, "utf-8");
     const parsed = JSON.parse(raw) as unknown;
@@ -48,7 +64,7 @@ async function runPluginAddResource(options: { path?: string }): Promise<void> {
       );
       process.exit(1);
     }
-    manifest = parsed as ManifestWithExtras;
+    return { manifest: parsed as ManifestWithExtras, manifestPath };
   } catch (err) {
     console.error(
       "Failed to read or parse manifest.json:",
@@ -56,6 +72,82 @@ async function runPluginAddResource(options: { path?: string }): Promise<void> {
     );
     process.exit(1);
   }
+}
+
+function buildEntry(
+  type: string,
+  opts: AddResourceOptions,
+): { entry: ResourceRequirement; isRequired: boolean } {
+  const alias = humanizeResourceType(type);
+  const isRequired = opts.required !== false;
+
+  let fields = getDefaultFieldsForType(type);
+  if (opts.fieldsJson) {
+    try {
+      const parsed = JSON.parse(opts.fieldsJson) as Record<
+        string,
+        { env: string; description?: string }
+      >;
+      fields = { ...fields, ...parsed };
+    } catch {
+      console.error("Error: --fields-json must be valid JSON.");
+      console.error(
+        '  Example: --fields-json \'{"id":{"env":"MY_WAREHOUSE_ID"}}\'',
+      );
+      process.exit(1);
+    }
+  }
+
+  const entry: ResourceRequirement = {
+    type: type as ResourceRequirement["type"],
+    alias,
+    resourceKey: opts.resourceKey ?? resourceKeyFromType(type),
+    description:
+      opts.description ||
+      `${isRequired ? "Required" : "Optional"} for ${alias} functionality.`,
+    permission:
+      opts.permission ?? DEFAULT_PERMISSION_BY_TYPE[type] ?? "CAN_VIEW",
+    fields,
+  };
+
+  return { entry, isRequired };
+}
+
+function runNonInteractive(opts: AddResourceOptions): void {
+  const cwd = process.cwd();
+  const pluginDir = path.resolve(cwd, opts.path ?? ".");
+  const loaded = loadManifest(pluginDir);
+  if (!loaded) return;
+  const { manifest, manifestPath } = loaded;
+
+  const type = opts.type as string;
+  const { entry, isRequired } = buildEntry(type, opts);
+
+  if (isRequired) {
+    manifest.resources.required.push(entry);
+  } else {
+    manifest.resources.optional.push(entry);
+  }
+
+  if (opts.dryRun) {
+    console.log(JSON.stringify(manifest, null, 2));
+    return;
+  }
+
+  fs.writeFileSync(manifestPath, `${JSON.stringify(manifest, null, 2)}\n`);
+  console.log(
+    `Added ${entry.alias} as ${isRequired ? "required" : "optional"} to ${path.relative(cwd, manifestPath)}`,
+  );
+}
+
+async function runInteractive(opts: AddResourceOptions): Promise<void> {
+  intro("Add resource to plugin manifest");
+
+  const cwd = process.cwd();
+  const pluginDir = path.resolve(cwd, opts.path ?? ".");
+  const loaded = loadManifest(pluginDir);
+  if (!loaded) return;
+  const { manifest, manifestPath } = loaded;
 
   const spec = await promptOneResource();
   if (!spec) {
@@ -65,8 +157,6 @@ async function runPluginAddResource(options: { path?: string }): Promise<void> {
 
   const alias = humanizeResourceType(spec.type);
   const entry: ResourceRequirement = {
-    // Safe cast: spec.type comes from RESOURCE_TYPE_OPTIONS which reads values
-    // from the same JSON schema that generates the ResourceType union.
     type: spec.type as ResourceRequirement["type"],
     alias,
     resourceKey: spec.resourceKey,
@@ -89,13 +179,44 @@ async function runPluginAddResource(options: { path?: string }): Promise<void> {
   );
 }
 
+async function runPluginAddResource(opts: AddResourceOptions): Promise<void> {
+  if (opts.type) {
+    runNonInteractive(opts);
+  } else {
+    await runInteractive(opts);
+  }
+}
+
 export const pluginAddResourceCommand = new Command("add-resource")
   .description(
-    "Add a resource requirement to an existing plugin manifest (interactive). Overwrites manifest.json in place.",
+    "Add a resource requirement to an existing plugin manifest. Overwrites manifest.json in place.",
   )
   .option(
     "-p, --path <dir>",
-    "Plugin directory containing manifest.json, which will be edited in place (default: .)",
+    "Plugin directory containing manifest.json (default: .)",
+  )
+  .option(
+    "-t, --type <resource_type>",
+    "Resource type (e.g. sql_warehouse, volume). Enables non-interactive mode.",
+  )
+  .option("--required", "Mark resource as required (default: true)", true)
+  .option("--no-required", "Mark resource as optional")
+  .option("--resource-key <key>", "Resource key (default: derived from type)")
+  .option("--description <text>", "Description of the resource requirement")
+  .option("--permission <perm>", "Permission level (default: from schema)")
+  .option(
+    "--fields-json <json>",
+    'JSON object overriding field env vars (e.g. \'{"id":{"env":"MY_WAREHOUSE_ID"}}\')',
+  )
+  .option("--dry-run", "Preview the updated manifest without writing")
+  .addHelpText(
+    "after",
+    `
+Examples:
+  $ appkit plugin add-resource
+  $ appkit plugin add-resource --path plugins/my-plugin --type sql_warehouse
+  $ appkit plugin add-resource --path plugins/my-plugin --type volume --no-required --dry-run
+  $ appkit plugin add-resource --type sql_warehouse --fields-json '{"id":{"env":"MY_WAREHOUSE_ID"}}'`,
   )
   .action((opts) =>
     runPluginAddResource(opts).catch((err) => {
diff --git a/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/plugin/create/create.test.ts b/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/plugin/create/create.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..19ec7cd2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/plugin/create/create.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,99 @@
+import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
+import {
+  buildResourceFromType,
+  parseResourcesJson,
+  parseResourcesShorthand,
+} from "./create";
+
+describe("create non-interactive helpers", () => {
+  describe("buildResourceFromType", () => {
+    it("builds a sql_warehouse resource with correct defaults", () => {
+      const resource = buildResourceFromType("sql_warehouse");
+      expect(resource.type).toBe("sql_warehouse");
+      expect(resource.required).toBe(true);
+      expect(resource.resourceKey).toBe("sql-warehouse");
+      expect(resource.permission).toBe("CAN_USE");
+      expect(resource.fields.id.env).toBe("DATABRICKS_WAREHOUSE_ID");
+    });
+
+    it("builds a volume resource with correct defaults", () => {
+      const resource = buildResourceFromType("volume");
+      expect(resource.type).toBe("volume");
+      expect(resource.resourceKey).toBe("volume");
+      expect(resource.fields.name.env).toBe("VOLUME_NAME");
+    });
+
+    it("builds an unknown type with a fallback pattern", () => {
+      const resource = buildResourceFromType("custom_thing");
+      expect(resource.type).toBe("custom_thing");
+      expect(resource.resourceKey).toBe("custom-thing");
+      expect(resource.permission).toBe("CAN_VIEW");
+      expect(resource.fields.id.env).toBe("DATABRICKS_CUSTOM_THING_ID");
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe("parseResourcesShorthand", () => {
+    it("parses comma-separated resource types", () => {
+      const resources = parseResourcesShorthand("sql_warehouse,volume");
+      expect(resources).toHaveLength(2);
+      expect(resources[0].type).toBe("sql_warehouse");
+      expect(resources[1].type).toBe("volume");
+    });
+
+    it("trims whitespace around types", () => {
+      const resources = parseResourcesShorthand(" sql_warehouse , volume ");
+      expect(resources).toHaveLength(2);
+      expect(resources[0].type).toBe("sql_warehouse");
+      expect(resources[1].type).toBe("volume");
+    });
+
+    it("filters empty segments", () => {
+      const resources = parseResourcesShorthand("sql_warehouse,,volume,");
+      expect(resources).toHaveLength(2);
+    });
+
+    it("returns empty array for empty string", () => {
+      const resources = parseResourcesShorthand("");
+      expect(resources).toHaveLength(0);
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe("parseResourcesJson", () => {
+    it("parses minimal JSON with only type", () => {
+      const resources = parseResourcesJson('[{"type":"sql_warehouse"}]');
+      expect(resources).toHaveLength(1);
+      expect(resources[0].type).toBe("sql_warehouse");
+      expect(resources[0].required).toBe(true);
+      expect(resources[0].permission).toBe("CAN_USE");
+      expect(resources[0].resourceKey).toBe("sql-warehouse");
+    });
+
+    it("allows overriding individual fields", () => {
+      const json = JSON.stringify([
+        {
+          type: "sql_warehouse",
+          required: false,
+          permission: "CAN_MANAGE",
+          description: "Custom desc",
+        },
+      ]);
+      const resources = parseResourcesJson(json);
+      expect(resources[0].required).toBe(false);
+      expect(resources[0].permission).toBe("CAN_MANAGE");
+      expect(resources[0].description).toBe("Custom desc");
+      expect(resources[0].resourceKey).toBe("sql-warehouse");
+    });
+
+    it("parses multiple resources", () => {
+      const json = JSON.stringify([
+        { type: "sql_warehouse" },
+        { type: "volume", required: false },
+      ]);
+      const resources = parseResourcesJson(json);
+      expect(resources).toHaveLength(2);
+      expect(resources[0].type).toBe("sql_warehouse");
+      expect(resources[1].type).toBe("volume");
+      expect(resources[1].required).toBe(false);
+    });
+  });
+});
diff --git a/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/plugin/create/create.ts b/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/plugin/create/create.ts
index 0be53af3..3003b281 100644
--- a/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/plugin/create/create.ts
+++ b/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/plugin/create/create.ts
@@ -12,16 +12,205 @@ import {
   spinner,
   text,
 } from "@clack/prompts";
-import { Command } from "commander";
+import { Command, Option } from "commander";
 import { promptOneResource } from "./prompt-resource";
-import { RESOURCE_TYPE_OPTIONS } from "./resource-defaults";
+import {
+  DEFAULT_PERMISSION_BY_TYPE,
+  getDefaultFieldsForType,
+  humanizeResourceType,
+  RESOURCE_TYPE_OPTIONS,
+  resourceKeyFromType,
+} from "./resource-defaults";
 import { resolveTargetDir, scaffoldPlugin } from "./scaffold";
-import type { CreateAnswers, Placement } from "./types";
+import type { CreateAnswers, Placement, SelectedResource } from "./types";
 
 const NAME_PATTERN = /^[a-z][a-z0-9-]*$/;
 const DEFAULT_VERSION = "0.1.0";
+const VALID_PLACEMENTS: Placement[] = ["in-repo", "isolated"];
+const REQUIRED_FLAGS = ["placement", "path", "name", "description"] as const;
+
+interface CreateOptions {
+  placement?: string;
+  path?: string;
+  name?: string;
+  displayName?: string;
+  description?: string;
+  resources?: string;
+  resourcesJson?: string;
+  force?: boolean;
+}
+
+function deriveDisplayName(name: string): string {
+  return name
+    .split("-")
+    .map((s) => s.charAt(0).toUpperCase() + s.slice(1))
+    .join(" ");
+}
+
+function deriveExportName(name: string): string {
+  return name
+    .split("-")
+    .map((s, i) => (i === 0 ? s : s.charAt(0).toUpperCase() + s.slice(1)))
+    .join("");
+}
+
+function buildResourceFromType(type: string): SelectedResource {
+  return {
+    type,
+    required: true,
+    description: `Required for ${humanizeResourceType(type)} functionality.`,
+    resourceKey: resourceKeyFromType(type),
+    permission: DEFAULT_PERMISSION_BY_TYPE[type] ?? "CAN_VIEW",
+    fields: getDefaultFieldsForType(type),
+  };
+}
+
+interface JsonResourceEntry {
+  type: string;
+  required?: boolean;
+  description?: string;
+  resourceKey?: string;
+  permission?: string;
+  fields?: Record<string, { env: string; description?: string }>;
+}
+
+function parseResourcesJson(json: string): SelectedResource[] {
+  let parsed: unknown;
+  try {
+    parsed = JSON.parse(json);
+  } catch {
+    console.error("Error: --resources-json must be valid JSON.");
+    console.error('  Example: --resources-json \'[{"type":"sql_warehouse"}]\'');
+    process.exit(1);
+  }
+
+  if (!Array.isArray(parsed)) {
+    console.error("Error: --resources-json must be a JSON array.");
+    console.error('  Example: --resources-json \'[{"type":"sql_warehouse"}]\'');
+    process.exit(1);
+  }
+
+  return (parsed as JsonResourceEntry[]).map((entry, i) => {
+    if (!entry.type || typeof entry.type !== "string") {
+      console.error(
+        `Error: --resources-json entry ${i} missing required "type" field.`,
+      );
+      process.exit(1);
+    }
+    const defaults = buildResourceFromType(entry.type);
+    return {
+      type: entry.type,
+      required: entry.required ?? defaults.required,
+      description: entry.description ?? defaults.description,
+      resourceKey: entry.resourceKey ?? defaults.resourceKey,
+      permission: entry.permission ?? defaults.permission,
+      fields: entry.fields ?? defaults.fields,
+    };
+  });
+}
+
+function parseResourcesShorthand(csv: string): SelectedResource[] {
+  return csv
+    .split(",")
+    .map((s) => s.trim())
+    .filter(Boolean)
+    .map(buildResourceFromType);
+}
+
+function printNextSteps(answers: CreateAnswers, targetDir: string): void {
+  const relativePath = path.relative(process.cwd(), targetDir);
+  const importPath = relativePath.startsWith(".")
+    ? relativePath
+    : `./${relativePath}`;
+  const exportName = deriveExportName(answers.name);
+
+  console.log("\nNext steps:\n");
+  if (answers.placement === "in-repo") {
+    console.log(`  1. Import and register in your server:`);
+    console.log(`     import { ${exportName} } from "${importPath}";`);
+    console.log(`     createApp({ plugins: [ ..., ${exportName}() ] });`);
+    console.log(
+      `  2. Run \`npx appkit plugin sync --write\` to update appkit.plugins.json.\n`,
+    );
+  } else {
+    console.log(`  1. cd into the new package and install dependencies:`);
+    console.log(`     cd ${answers.targetPath} && pnpm install`);
+    console.log(`  2. Build: pnpm build`);
+    console.log(
+      `  3. In your app: pnpm add ./${answers.targetPath} @databricks/appkit`,
+    );
+    console.log(
+      `  4. Import and register: import { ${exportName} } from "<package-name>";\n`,
+    );
+  }
+}
 
-async function runPluginCreate(): Promise<void> {
+function runNonInteractive(opts: CreateOptions): void {
+  const missing = REQUIRED_FLAGS.filter((f) => !opts[f]);
+  if (missing.length > 0) {
+    console.error(
+      `Error: Non-interactive mode requires: ${REQUIRED_FLAGS.map((f) => `--${f}`).join(", ")}`,
+    );
+    console.error(`Missing: ${missing.map((f) => `--${f}`).join(", ")}`);
+    console.error(
+      '  appkit plugin create --placement in-repo --path plugins/my-plugin --name my-plugin --description "Does X"',
+    );
+    process.exit(1);
+  }
+
+  const placement = opts.placement as Placement;
+  if (!VALID_PLACEMENTS.includes(placement)) {
+    console.error(
+      `Error: --placement must be one of: ${VALID_PLACEMENTS.join(", ")}`,
+    );
+    process.exit(1);
+  }
+
+  const name = opts.name as string;
+  if (!NAME_PATTERN.test(name)) {
+    console.error(
+      "Error: --name must be lowercase, start with a letter, and use only letters, numbers, and hyphens.",
+    );
+    process.exit(1);
+  }
+
+  let resources: SelectedResource[] = [];
+  if (opts.resourcesJson) {
+    resources = parseResourcesJson(opts.resourcesJson);
+  } else if (opts.resources) {
+    resources = parseResourcesShorthand(opts.resources);
+  }
+
+  const answers: CreateAnswers = {
+    placement,
+    targetPath: (opts.path as string).trim(),
+    name: name.trim(),
+    displayName: opts.displayName?.trim() || deriveDisplayName(name),
+    description: (opts.description as string).trim(),
+    resources,
+    version: DEFAULT_VERSION,
+  };
+
+  const targetDir = resolveTargetDir(process.cwd(), answers);
+  const dirExists = fs.existsSync(targetDir);
+  const hasContent = dirExists && fs.readdirSync(targetDir).length > 0;
+  if (hasContent && !opts.force) {
+    console.error(
+      `Error: Directory ${answers.targetPath} already exists and is not empty.`,
+    );
+    console.error("  Use --force to overwrite.");
+    process.exit(1);
+  }
+
+  scaffoldPlugin(targetDir, answers, { isolated: placement === "isolated" });
+
+  console.log(
+    `Plugin "${answers.name}" created at ${path.relative(process.cwd(), targetDir)}`,
+  );
+  printNextSteps(answers, targetDir);
+}
+
+async function runInteractive(): Promise<void> {
   intro("Create a new AppKit plugin");
 
   try {
@@ -183,42 +372,58 @@ async function runPluginCreate(): Promise<void> {
       throw err;
     }
 
-    const relativePath = path.relative(process.cwd(), targetDir);
-    const importPath = relativePath.startsWith(".")
-      ? relativePath
-      : `./${relativePath}`;
-    const exportName = answers.name
-      .split("-")
-      .map((s, i) => (i === 0 ? s : s.charAt(0).toUpperCase() + s.slice(1)))
-      .join("");
-
     outro("Plugin created successfully.");
-
-    console.log("\nNext steps:\n");
-    if (placement === "in-repo") {
-      console.log(`  1. Import and register in your server:`);
-      console.log(`     import { ${exportName} } from "${importPath}";`);
-      console.log(`     createApp({ plugins: [ ..., ${exportName}() ] });`);
-      console.log(
-        `  2. Run \`npx appkit plugin sync --write\` to update appkit.plugins.json.\n`,
-      );
-    } else {
-      console.log(`  1. cd into the new package and install dependencies:`);
-      console.log(`     cd ${answers.targetPath} && pnpm install`);
-      console.log(`  2. Build: pnpm build`);
-      console.log(
-        `  3. In your app: pnpm add ./${answers.targetPath} @databricks/appkit`,
-      );
-      console.log(
-        `  4. Import and register: import { ${exportName} } from "<package-name>";\n`,
-      );
-    }
+    printNextSteps(answers, targetDir);
   } catch (err) {
     console.error(err);
     process.exit(1);
   }
 }
 
+async function runPluginCreate(opts: CreateOptions): Promise<void> {
+  const hasAnyFlag = REQUIRED_FLAGS.some((f) => opts[f] !== undefined);
+  if (hasAnyFlag) {
+    runNonInteractive(opts);
+  } else {
+    await runInteractive();
+  }
+}
+
 export const pluginCreateCommand = new Command("create")
-  .description("Scaffold a new AppKit plugin (interactive)")
-  .action(runPluginCreate);
+  .description("Scaffold a new AppKit plugin")
+  .option("--placement <type>", "Where the plugin lives (in-repo, isolated)")
+  .option("--path <dir>", "Target directory for the plugin")
+  .option("--name <id>", "Plugin name (lowercase, hyphens allowed)")
+  .option("--display-name <name>", "Human-readable display name")
+  .option("--description <text>", "Short description of the plugin")
+  .addOption(
+    new Option(
+      "--resources <types>",
+      "Comma-separated resource types (e.g. sql_warehouse,volume)",
+    ).conflicts("resourcesJson"),
+  )
+  .addOption(
+    new Option(
+      "--resources-json <json>",
+      'JSON array of resource specs (e.g. \'[{"type":"sql_warehouse"}]\')',
+    ).conflicts("resources"),
+  )
+  .option("-f, --force", "Overwrite existing directory without confirmation")
+  .addHelpText(
+    "after",
+    `
+Examples:
+  $ appkit plugin create
+  $ appkit plugin create --placement in-repo --path plugins/my-plugin --name my-plugin --description "Does X"
+  $ appkit plugin create --placement in-repo --path plugins/my-plugin --name my-plugin --description "Does X" --resources sql_warehouse,volume --force
+  $ appkit plugin create --placement isolated --path appkit-plugin-ml --name ml --description "ML" --resources-json '[{"type":"serving_endpoint"}]'`,
+  )
+  .action((opts) =>
+    runPluginCreate(opts).catch((err) => {
+      console.error(err);
+      process.exit(1);
+    }),
+  );
+
+/** Exported for testing. */
+export { buildResourceFromType, parseResourcesJson, parseResourcesShorthand };
diff --git a/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/plugin/index.ts b/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/plugin/index.ts
index 04b8cba9..d2ff00a9 100644
--- a/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/plugin/index.ts
+++ b/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/plugin/index.ts
@@ -20,4 +20,14 @@ export const pluginCommand = new Command("plugin")
   .addCommand(pluginCreateCommand)
   .addCommand(pluginValidateCommand)
   .addCommand(pluginListCommand)
-  .addCommand(pluginAddResourceCommand);
+  .addCommand(pluginAddResourceCommand)
+  .addHelpText(
+    "after",
+    `
+Examples:
+  $ appkit plugin sync --write
+  $ appkit plugin create --placement in-repo --path plugins/my-plugin --name my-plugin --description "Does X"
+  $ appkit plugin validate .
+  $ appkit plugin list --json
+  $ appkit plugin add-resource --path plugins/my-plugin --type sql_warehouse`,
+  );
diff --git a/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/plugin/list/list.ts b/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/plugin/list/list.ts
index d9bdc206..e9a3b35e 100644
--- a/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/plugin/list/list.ts
+++ b/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/plugin/list/list.ts
@@ -205,6 +205,9 @@ async function runPluginList(options: {
     );
     if (!fs.existsSync(manifestPath)) {
       console.error(`Manifest not found: ${manifestPath}`);
+      console.error(
+        "  appkit plugin list --manifest <path-to-manifest> or appkit plugin list --dir <plugins-directory>",
+      );
       process.exit(1);
     }
     try {
@@ -238,6 +241,15 @@ export const pluginListCommand = new Command("list")
     "Allow reading manifest.js/manifest.cjs (executes code; use only with trusted plugins)",
   )
   .option("--json", "Output as JSON")
+  .addHelpText(
+    "after",
+    `
+Examples:
+  $ appkit plugin list
+  $ appkit plugin list --json
+  $ appkit plugin list --manifest custom-manifest.json
+  $ appkit plugin list --dir plugins/`,
+  )
   .action((opts) =>
     runPluginList(opts).catch((err) => {
       console.error(err);
diff --git a/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/plugin/sync/sync.ts b/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/plugin/sync/sync.ts
index b553c45a..4b2c21f0 100644
--- a/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/plugin/sync/sync.ts
+++ b/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/plugin/sync/sync.ts
@@ -520,7 +520,7 @@ async function scanPluginsDir(
 function writeManifest(
   outputPath: string,
   { plugins }: { plugins: TemplatePluginsManifest["plugins"] },
-  options: { write?: boolean; silent?: boolean },
+  options: { write?: boolean; silent?: boolean; json?: boolean },
 ) {
   const templateManifest: TemplatePluginsManifest = {
     $schema:
@@ -529,15 +529,19 @@ function writeManifest(
     plugins,
   };
 
+  if (options.json) {
+    console.log(JSON.stringify(templateManifest, null, 2));
+  }
+
   if (options.write) {
     fs.writeFileSync(
       outputPath,
       `${JSON.stringify(templateManifest, null, 2)}\n`,
     );
-    if (!options.silent) {
+    if (!options.silent && !options.json) {
       console.log(`\n✓ Wrote ${outputPath}`);
     }
-  } else if (!options.silent) {
+  } else if (!options.silent && !options.json) {
     console.log("\nTo write the manifest, run:");
     console.log("  npx appkit plugin sync --write\n");
     console.log("Preview:");
@@ -557,6 +561,7 @@ async function runPluginsSync(options: {
   write?: boolean;
   output?: string;
   silent?: boolean;
+  json?: boolean;
   requirePlugins?: string;
   pluginsDir?: string;
   packageName?: string;
@@ -575,7 +580,7 @@ async function runPluginsSync(options: {
     process.exit(1);
   }
 
-  if (!options.silent) {
+  if (!options.silent && !options.json) {
     console.log("Scanning for AppKit plugins...\n");
     if (allowJsManifest) {
       console.warn(
@@ -590,7 +595,7 @@ async function runPluginsSync(options: {
   let pluginUsages = new Set<string>();
 
   if (serverFile) {
-    if (!options.silent) {
+    if (!options.silent && !options.json) {
       const relativePath = path.relative(cwd, serverFile);
       console.log(`Server entry file: ${relativePath}`);
     }
@@ -602,7 +607,7 @@ async function runPluginsSync(options: {
 
     serverImports = parseImports(root);
     pluginUsages = parsePluginUsages(root);
-  } else if (!options.silent) {
+  } else if (!options.silent && !options.json) {
     console.log(
       "No server entry file found. Checked:",
       SERVER_FILE_CANDIDATES.join(", "),
@@ -623,7 +628,7 @@ async function runPluginsSync(options: {
   if (options.pluginsDir) {
     const resolvedDir = path.resolve(cwd, options.pluginsDir);
     const pkgName = options.packageName ?? "@databricks/appkit";
-    if (!options.silent) {
+    if (!options.silent && !options.json) {
       console.log(`Scanning plugins directory: ${options.pluginsDir}`);
     }
     Object.assign(
@@ -663,7 +668,7 @@ async function runPluginsSync(options: {
   for (const dir of localDirsToScan) {
     const resolvedDir = path.resolve(cwd, dir);
     if (!fs.existsSync(resolvedDir)) continue;
-    if (!options.silent) {
+    if (!options.silent && !options.json) {
       console.log(`Scanning local plugins directory: ${dir}`);
     }
     const discovered = await scanPluginsDirRecursive(
@@ -689,7 +694,10 @@ async function runPluginsSync(options: {
         `\nNo manifest (${allowJsManifest ? "manifest.json or manifest.js" : "manifest.json"}) found in: ${options.pluginsDir}`,
       );
     } else {
-      console.log("\nMake sure you have plugin packages installed.");
+      console.log(
+        "\nMake sure you have plugin packages installed, or specify a directory:",
+      );
+      console.log("  appkit plugin sync --plugins-dir <path>");
     }
     process.exit(1);
   }
@@ -744,7 +752,7 @@ async function runPluginsSync(options: {
     }
   }
 
-  if (!options.silent) {
+  if (!options.silent && !options.json) {
     console.log(`\nFound ${pluginCount} plugin(s):`);
     for (const [name, manifest] of Object.entries(plugins)) {
       const resourceCount =
@@ -802,6 +810,18 @@ export const pluginsSyncCommand = new Command("sync")
     "--allow-js-manifest",
     "Allow reading manifest.js/manifest.cjs (executes code; use only with trusted plugins)",
   )
+  .option("--json", "Output manifest as JSON to stdout")
+  .addHelpText(
+    "after",
+    `
+Examples:
+  $ appkit plugin sync
+  $ appkit plugin sync --write
+  $ appkit plugin sync --write --require-plugins server,analytics
+  $ appkit plugin sync --write --plugins-dir src/plugins --package-name @my/pkg
+  $ appkit plugin sync --json
+  $ appkit plugin sync --silent`,
+  )
   .action((opts) =>
     runPluginsSync(opts).catch((err) => {
       console.error(err);
diff --git a/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/plugin/validate/validate.ts b/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/plugin/validate/validate.ts
index 76ccfbae..59ec7b7a 100644
--- a/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/plugin/validate/validate.ts
+++ b/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/plugin/validate/validate.ts
@@ -63,13 +63,18 @@ function resolveManifestPaths(
   return out;
 }
 
+interface ValidateOptions {
+  allowJsManifest?: boolean;
+  json?: boolean;
+}
+
 async function runPluginValidate(
   paths: string[],
-  options: { allowJsManifest?: boolean },
+  options: ValidateOptions,
 ): Promise<void> {
   const cwd = process.cwd();
   const allowJsManifest = Boolean(options.allowJsManifest);
-  if (allowJsManifest) {
+  if (allowJsManifest && !options.json) {
     console.warn(
       "Warning: --allow-js-manifest executes manifest.js/manifest.cjs files. Only use with trusted code.",
     );
@@ -78,18 +83,34 @@ async function runPluginValidate(
   const manifestPaths = resolveManifestPaths(toValidate, cwd, allowJsManifest);
 
   if (manifestPaths.length === 0) {
-    console.error("No manifest files to validate.");
+    if (options.json) {
+      console.log("[]");
+    } else {
+      console.error("No manifest files to validate.");
+    }
     process.exit(1);
   }
 
   let hasFailure = false;
+  const jsonResults: { path: string; valid: boolean; errors?: string[] }[] = [];
+
   for (const { path: manifestPath, type } of manifestPaths) {
+    const relativePath = path.relative(cwd, manifestPath);
     let obj: unknown;
     try {
       obj = await loadManifestFromFile(manifestPath, type, { allowJsManifest });
     } catch (err) {
-      console.error(`✗ ${manifestPath}`);
-      console.error(`  ${err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err)}`);
+      const errMsg = err instanceof Error ? err.message : String(err);
+      if (options.json) {
+        jsonResults.push({
+          path: relativePath,
+          valid: false,
+          errors: [errMsg],
+        });
+      } else {
+        console.error(`✗ ${manifestPath}`);
+        console.error(`  ${errMsg}`);
+      }
       hasFailure = true;
       continue;
     }
@@ -100,18 +121,36 @@ async function runPluginValidate(
         ? validateTemplateManifest(obj)
         : validateManifest(obj);
 
-    const relativePath = path.relative(cwd, manifestPath);
     if (result.valid) {
-      console.log(`✓ ${relativePath}`);
+      if (options.json) {
+        jsonResults.push({ path: relativePath, valid: true });
+      } else {
+        console.log(`✓ ${relativePath}`);
+      }
     } else {
-      console.error(`✗ ${relativePath}`);
-      if (result.errors?.length) {
-        console.error(formatValidationErrors(result.errors, obj));
+      const errors = result.errors?.length
+        ? formatValidationErrors(result.errors, obj).split("\n").filter(Boolean)
+        : [];
+      if (options.json) {
+        jsonResults.push({
+          path: relativePath,
+          valid: false,
+          ...(errors.length > 0 && { errors }),
+        });
+      } else {
+        console.error(`✗ ${relativePath}`);
+        if (result.errors?.length) {
+          console.error(formatValidationErrors(result.errors, obj));
+        }
       }
       hasFailure = true;
     }
   }
 
+  if (options.json) {
+    console.log(JSON.stringify(jsonResults, null, 2));
+  }
+
   process.exit(hasFailure ? 1 : 0);
 }
 
@@ -127,7 +166,18 @@ export const pluginValidateCommand = new Command("validate")
     "--allow-js-manifest",
     "Allow reading manifest.js/manifest.cjs (executes code; use only with trusted plugins)",
   )
-  .action((paths: string[], opts: { allowJsManifest?: boolean }) =>
+  .option("--json", "Output validation results as JSON")
+  .addHelpText(
+    "after",
+    `
+Examples:
+  $ appkit plugin validate
+  $ appkit plugin validate plugins/my-plugin
+  $ appkit plugin validate plugins/my-plugin plugins/other
+  $ appkit plugin validate appkit.plugins.json
+  $ appkit plugin validate --json`,
+  )
+  .action((paths: string[], opts: ValidateOptions) =>
     runPluginValidate(paths, opts).catch((err) => {
       console.error(err);
       process.exit(1);
diff --git a/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/setup.ts b/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/setup.ts
index 3ff38845..55e19c06 100644
--- a/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/setup.ts
+++ b/packages/shared/src/cli/commands/setup.ts
@@ -126,10 +126,10 @@ function runSetup(options: { write?: boolean }) {
 
   if (installed.length === 0) {
     console.log("No @databricks/appkit packages found in node_modules.");
-    console.log("\nMake sure you've installed at least one of:");
-    PACKAGES.forEach((pkg) => {
-      console.log(`  - ${pkg.name}`);
-    });
+    console.log("\nInstall at least one of:");
+    for (const pkg of PACKAGES) {
+      console.log(`  npm install ${pkg.name}`);
+    }
     process.exit(1);
   }
 
@@ -182,4 +182,11 @@ function runSetup(options: { write?: boolean }) {
 export const setupCommand = new Command("setup")
   .description("Setup CLAUDE.md with AppKit package references")
   .option("-w, --write", "Create or update CLAUDE.md file in current directory")
+  .addHelpText(
+    "after",
+    `
+Examples:
+  $ appkit setup
+  $ appkit setup --write`,
+  )
   .action(runSetup);