[BUG] Plugin not found in `--plugin-dir` if `--setting-sources ""`

Preflight Checklist

• [x] I have searched existing issues and this hasn't been reported yet
• [x] This is a single bug report (please file separate reports for different bugs)
• [x] I am using the latest version of Claude Code

What's Wrong?

When I'm currently in an empty folder, running

claude --setting-sources "" --plugin-dir $ABSOLUTE_PATH_TO_PLUGIN

and I type /plugin and Manage and uninstall plugins, then I wrongly see no plugins.

The same happens when I set --setting-sources "project".

What Should Happen?

I should have seen the plugin listed. When running with command

claude --setting-sources "local" --plugin-dir $ABSOLUTE_PATH_TO_PLUGIN

in a local folder, I correctly see the plugin installed in the "inline" marketplace.

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

1. Create folders /tmp/claude-plugin/.claude-plugin, and put in /tmp/claude-plugin/.claude-plugin/plugin.json the following.

{
    "name": "test-plugin",
    "description": "description",
    "version": "1.0.0",
    "author": {
        "name": "author"
    }
}

1. Create empty folder folder /tmp/workdir, and change workdir to that
2. Run claude --setting-sources "" --plugin-dir /tmp/claude-plugin
3. Type /plugin and choose Manage and uninstall plugins. You will see no plugins installed.

Claude Model

None

Is this a regression?

I don't know

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.0.41 (Claude Code)

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

macOS

Terminal/Shell

VS Code integrated terminal

Additional Information

_No response_