A minimal plugin from scratch: three files until apply() runs

Three files suffice. What follows was measured working and can be copied.

1. package.json

{
  "name": "dsh-plugin-hello",
  "version": "0.0.1",
  "type": "module",
  "main": "lib/index.js",
  "dsh": { "bundle": { "patch": "./cordis.patch.yml" } }
}

2. cordis.patch.yml

# insert one entry into the profile root
- insert:
    - id: hello-world
      name: 'dsh-plugin-hello'

3. lib/index.js

export const name = 'dsh-plugin-hello'

export function apply(ctx) {
  // your logic
}

Install into an isolated environment

dsh plugin --profile web add "file:C:/path/to/minplug"

Measured at 3.1 seconds. package.json gains "dsh-plugin-hello": "file:C:/..." under dependencies, and the same name is appended to bundles.

Two verifications, both required

1. Verify composition: --dump-config should show a # == dsh-plugin-hello section and a - id: hello-world entry.
2. Verify real loading: have apply write a file (appendFileSync) and check whether it appears after boot.

Do not conflate id and name

In the patch, id: hello-world is your own targeting label; name: dsh-plugin-hello is the module. To patch that entry later you use the id. The ecosystem routinely mixes the two up.