diff --git a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/index.js b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/index.js
index 90274288357b8..15adce7f01c8e 100644
--- a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/index.js
+++ b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/index.js
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ exports.run = function run(argv) {
   const options = getopts(argv, {
     alias: {
       h: 'help',
+      i: 'internal',
     },
   });
 
@@ -40,17 +41,22 @@ exports.run = function run(argv) {
   if (options.help) {
     console.log(
       dedent(chalk`
-        {dim usage:} node scripts/generate-plugin {bold [name]}
-
-        generate a fresh Kibana plugin in the plugins/ directory
+        # {dim Usage:} 
+        node scripts/generate-plugin {bold [name]}
+        Generate a fresh Kibana plugin in the plugins/ directory
+        
+        # {dim Core Kibana plugins:}
+        node scripts/generate-plugin {bold [name]} -i
+        To generate a core Kibana plugin inside the src/plugins/ directory, add the -i flag.
       `) + '\n'
     );
     process.exit(1);
   }
 
   const name = options._[0];
+  const isKibanaPlugin = options.internal;
   const template = resolve(__dirname, './sao_template');
-  const kibanaPlugins = resolve(__dirname, '../../plugins');
+  const kibanaPlugins = resolve(__dirname, isKibanaPlugin ? '../../src/plugins' : '../../plugins');
   const targetPath = resolve(kibanaPlugins, snakeCase(name));
 
   sao({
@@ -58,6 +64,8 @@ exports.run = function run(argv) {
     targetPath: targetPath,
     configOptions: {
       name,
+      isKibanaPlugin,
+      targetPath,
     },
   }).catch(error => {
     console.error(chalk`{red fatal error}!`);
diff --git a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/index.js.d.ts b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/index.js.d.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..46f7c43fd5790
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/index.js.d.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+/*
+ * Licensed to Elasticsearch B.V. under one or more contributor
+ * license agreements. See the NOTICE file distributed with
+ * this work for additional information regarding copyright
+ * ownership. Elasticsearch B.V. licenses this file to you under
+ * the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may
+ * not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing,
+ * software distributed under the License is distributed on an
+ * "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY
+ * KIND, either express or implied.  See the License for the
+ * specific language governing permissions and limitations
+ * under the License.
+ */
+interface PluginGenerator {
+  /**
+   * Run plugin generator.
+   */
+  run: (...args: any[]) => any;
+}
diff --git a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/integration_tests/generate_plugin.test.js b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/integration_tests/generate_plugin.test.js
index f8688c1830402..2cf19ff7006c7 100644
--- a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/integration_tests/generate_plugin.test.js
+++ b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/integration_tests/generate_plugin.test.js
@@ -61,7 +61,8 @@ describe(`running the plugin-generator via 'node scripts/generate_plugin.js plug
     expect(stats.isDirectory()).toBe(true);
   });
 
-  it(`should create an internationalization config file with a blank line appended to satisfy the parser`, async () => {
+  // skipped until internationalization is re-introduced
+  it.skip(`should create an internationalization config file with a blank line appended to satisfy the parser`, async () => {
     // Link to the error that happens when the blank line is not there:
     // https://github.com/elastic/kibana/pull/45044#issuecomment-530092627
     const intlFile = `${generatedPath}/.i18nrc.json`;
@@ -78,16 +79,7 @@ describe(`running the plugin-generator via 'node scripts/generate_plugin.js plug
       });
     });
 
-    it(`'yarn test:server' should exit 0`, async () => {
-      await execa('yarn', ['test:server'], {
-        cwd: generatedPath,
-        env: {
-          DISABLE_JUNIT_REPORTER: '1',
-        },
-      });
-    });
-
-    it(`'yarn build' should exit 0`, async () => {
+    it.skip(`'yarn build' should exit 0`, async () => {
       await execa('yarn', ['build'], { cwd: generatedPath });
     });
 
@@ -123,7 +115,7 @@ describe(`running the plugin-generator via 'node scripts/generate_plugin.js plug
       await execa('yarn', ['preinstall'], { cwd: generatedPath });
     });
 
-    it(`'yarn lint' should exit 0`, async () => {
+    it.skip(`'yarn lint' should exit 0`, async () => {
       await execa('yarn', ['lint'], { cwd: generatedPath });
     });
 
diff --git a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/sao.js b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/sao.js
index f7401cba84358..aed4b9a02838f 100755
--- a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/sao.js
+++ b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/sao.js
@@ -17,21 +17,19 @@
  * under the License.
  */
 
-const { resolve, relative, dirname } = require('path');
+const { relative } = require('path');
 
 const startCase = require('lodash.startcase');
 const camelCase = require('lodash.camelcase');
 const snakeCase = require('lodash.snakecase');
-const execa = require('execa');
 const chalk = require('chalk');
+const execa = require('execa');
 
 const pkg = require('../package.json');
 const kibanaPkgPath = require.resolve('../../../package.json');
 const kibanaPkg = require(kibanaPkgPath); // eslint-disable-line import/no-dynamic-require
 
-const KBN_DIR = dirname(kibanaPkgPath);
-
-module.exports = function({ name }) {
+module.exports = function({ name, targetPath, isKibanaPlugin }) {
   return {
     prompts: {
       description: {
@@ -47,41 +45,38 @@ module.exports = function({ name }) {
         message: 'Should an app component be generated?',
         default: true,
       },
-      generateTranslations: {
-        type: 'confirm',
-        message: 'Should translation files be generated?',
-        default: true,
-      },
-      generateHack: {
-        type: 'confirm',
-        message: 'Should a hack component be generated?',
-        default: true,
-      },
       generateApi: {
         type: 'confirm',
         message: 'Should a server API be generated?',
         default: true,
       },
+      // generateTranslations: {
+      //   type: 'confirm',
+      //   message: 'Should translation files be generated?',
+      //   default: true,
+      // },
       generateScss: {
         type: 'confirm',
         message: 'Should SCSS be used?',
         when: answers => answers.generateApp,
         default: true,
       },
+      generateEslint: {
+        type: 'confirm',
+        message: 'Would you like to use a custom eslint file?',
+        default: !isKibanaPlugin,
+      },
     },
     filters: {
+      'public/**/index.scss': 'generateScss',
       'public/**/*': 'generateApp',
-      'translations/**/*': 'generateTranslations',
-      '.i18nrc.json': 'generateTranslations',
-      'public/hack.js': 'generateHack',
       'server/**/*': 'generateApi',
-      'public/app.scss': 'generateScss',
-      '.kibana-plugin-helpers.json': 'generateScss',
+      // 'translations/**/*': 'generateTranslations',
+      // '.i18nrc.json': 'generateTranslations',
+      'eslintrc.js': 'generateEslint',
     },
     move: {
-      gitignore: '.gitignore',
       'eslintrc.js': '.eslintrc.js',
-      'package_template.json': 'package.json',
     },
     data: answers =>
       Object.assign(
@@ -91,34 +86,36 @@ module.exports = function({ name }) {
           camelCase,
           snakeCase,
           name,
+          isKibanaPlugin,
+          kbnVersion: answers.kbnVersion,
+          upperCamelCaseName: name.charAt(0).toUpperCase() + camelCase(name).slice(1),
+          hasUi: !!answers.generateApp,
+          hasServer: !!answers.generateApi,
+          hasScss: !!answers.generateScss,
+          relRoot: isKibanaPlugin ? '../../../..' : '../../..',
         },
         answers
       ),
     enforceNewFolder: true,
     installDependencies: false,
-    gitInit: true,
+    gitInit: !isKibanaPlugin,
     async post({ log }) {
-      await execa('yarn', ['kbn', 'bootstrap'], {
-        cwd: KBN_DIR,
-        stdio: 'inherit',
-      });
-
-      const dir = relative(process.cwd(), resolve(KBN_DIR, 'plugins', snakeCase(name)));
+      const dir = relative(process.cwd(), targetPath);
 
+      // Apply eslint to the generated plugin
       try {
-        await execa('yarn', ['lint', '--fix'], {
-          cwd: dir,
-          all: true,
-        });
+        await execa('yarn', ['lint:es', `./${dir}/**/*.ts*`, '--no-ignore', '--fix']);
       } catch (error) {
-        throw new Error(`Failure when running prettier on the generated output: ${error.all}`);
+        console.error(error);
+        throw new Error(
+          `Failure when running prettier on the generated output: ${error.all || error}`
+        );
       }
 
       log.success(chalk`🎉
 
-Your plugin has been created in {bold ${dir}}. Move into that directory to run it:
+Your plugin has been created in {bold ${dir}}.
 
-  {bold cd "${dir}"}
   {bold yarn start}
 `);
     },
diff --git a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/sao.test.js b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/sao.test.js
index 80149c008dad8..0dbdb7d3c097b 100755
--- a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/sao.test.js
+++ b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/sao.test.js
@@ -19,8 +19,6 @@
 
 const sao = require('sao');
 
-const templatePkg = require('../package.json');
-
 const template = {
   fromPath: __dirname,
   configOptions: {
@@ -32,121 +30,57 @@ function getFileContents(file) {
   return file.contents.toString();
 }
 
-function getConfig(file) {
-  const contents = getFileContents(file).replace(/\r?\n/gm, '');
-  return contents.split('kibana.Plugin(')[1];
-}
-
 describe('plugin generator sao integration', () => {
   test('skips files when answering no', async () => {
     const res = await sao.mockPrompt(template, {
       generateApp: false,
-      generateHack: false,
       generateApi: false,
     });
 
-    expect(res.fileList).not.toContain('public/app.js');
-    expect(res.fileList).not.toContain('public/__tests__/index.js');
-    expect(res.fileList).not.toContain('public/hack.js');
-    expect(res.fileList).not.toContain('server/routes/example.js');
-    expect(res.fileList).not.toContain('server/__tests__/index.js');
-
-    const uiExports = getConfig(res.files['index.js']);
-    expect(uiExports).not.toContain('app:');
-    expect(uiExports).not.toContain('hacks:');
-    expect(uiExports).not.toContain('init(server, options)');
-    expect(uiExports).not.toContain('registerFeature(');
+    expect(res.fileList).toContain('common/index.ts');
+    expect(res.fileList).not.toContain('public/index.ts');
+    expect(res.fileList).not.toContain('server/index.ts');
   });
 
   it('includes app when answering yes', async () => {
     const res = await sao.mockPrompt(template, {
       generateApp: true,
-      generateHack: false,
-      generateApi: false,
-    });
-
-    // check output files
-    expect(res.fileList).toContain('public/app.js');
-    expect(res.fileList).toContain('public/__tests__/index.js');
-    expect(res.fileList).not.toContain('public/hack.js');
-    expect(res.fileList).not.toContain('server/routes/example.js');
-    expect(res.fileList).not.toContain('server/__tests__/index.js');
-
-    const uiExports = getConfig(res.files['index.js']);
-    expect(uiExports).toContain('app:');
-    expect(uiExports).toContain('init(server, options)');
-    expect(uiExports).toContain('registerFeature(');
-    expect(uiExports).not.toContain('hacks:');
-  });
-
-  it('includes hack when answering yes', async () => {
-    const res = await sao.mockPrompt(template, {
-      generateApp: true,
-      generateHack: true,
       generateApi: false,
     });
 
     // check output files
-    expect(res.fileList).toContain('public/app.js');
-    expect(res.fileList).toContain('public/__tests__/index.js');
-    expect(res.fileList).toContain('public/hack.js');
-    expect(res.fileList).not.toContain('server/routes/example.js');
-    expect(res.fileList).not.toContain('server/__tests__/index.js');
-
-    const uiExports = getConfig(res.files['index.js']);
-    expect(uiExports).toContain('app:');
-    expect(uiExports).toContain('hacks:');
-    expect(uiExports).toContain('init(server, options)');
-    expect(uiExports).toContain('registerFeature(');
+    expect(res.fileList).toContain('common/index.ts');
+    expect(res.fileList).toContain('public/index.ts');
+    expect(res.fileList).toContain('public/plugin.ts');
+    expect(res.fileList).toContain('public/types.ts');
+    expect(res.fileList).toContain('public/components/app.tsx');
+    expect(res.fileList).not.toContain('server/index.ts');
   });
 
   it('includes server api when answering yes', async () => {
     const res = await sao.mockPrompt(template, {
       generateApp: true,
-      generateHack: true,
       generateApi: true,
     });
 
     // check output files
-    expect(res.fileList).toContain('public/app.js');
-    expect(res.fileList).toContain('public/__tests__/index.js');
-    expect(res.fileList).toContain('public/hack.js');
-    expect(res.fileList).toContain('server/routes/example.js');
-    expect(res.fileList).toContain('server/__tests__/index.js');
-
-    const uiExports = getConfig(res.files['index.js']);
-    expect(uiExports).toContain('app:');
-    expect(uiExports).toContain('hacks:');
-    expect(uiExports).toContain('init(server, options)');
-    expect(uiExports).toContain('registerFeature(');
-  });
-
-  it('plugin config has correct name and main path', async () => {
-    const res = await sao.mockPrompt(template, {
-      generateApp: true,
-      generateHack: true,
-      generateApi: true,
-    });
-
-    const indexContents = getFileContents(res.files['index.js']);
-    const nameLine = indexContents.match('name: (.*)')[1];
-    const mainLine = indexContents.match('main: (.*)')[1];
-
-    expect(nameLine).toContain('some_fancy_plugin');
-    expect(mainLine).toContain('plugins/some_fancy_plugin/app');
+    expect(res.fileList).toContain('public/plugin.ts');
+    expect(res.fileList).toContain('server/plugin.ts');
+    expect(res.fileList).toContain('server/index.ts');
+    expect(res.fileList).toContain('server/types.ts');
+    expect(res.fileList).toContain('server/routes/index.ts');
   });
 
-  it('plugin package has correct name', async () => {
+  it('plugin package has correct title', async () => {
     const res = await sao.mockPrompt(template, {
       generateApp: true,
-      generateHack: true,
       generateApi: true,
     });
 
-    const packageContents = getFileContents(res.files['package.json']);
-    const pkg = JSON.parse(packageContents);
+    const contents = getFileContents(res.files['common/index.ts']);
+    const controllerLine = contents.match("PLUGIN_NAME = '(.*)'")[1];
 
-    expect(pkg.name).toBe('some_fancy_plugin');
+    expect(controllerLine).toContain('Some fancy plugin');
   });
 
   it('package has version "kibana" with master', async () => {
@@ -154,10 +88,10 @@ describe('plugin generator sao integration', () => {
       kbnVersion: 'master',
     });
 
-    const packageContents = getFileContents(res.files['package.json']);
+    const packageContents = getFileContents(res.files['kibana.json']);
     const pkg = JSON.parse(packageContents);
 
-    expect(pkg.kibana.version).toBe('kibana');
+    expect(pkg.version).toBe('master');
   });
 
   it('package has correct version', async () => {
@@ -165,39 +99,26 @@ describe('plugin generator sao integration', () => {
       kbnVersion: 'v6.0.0',
     });
 
-    const packageContents = getFileContents(res.files['package.json']);
-    const pkg = JSON.parse(packageContents);
-
-    expect(pkg.kibana.version).toBe('v6.0.0');
-  });
-
-  it('package has correct templateVersion', async () => {
-    const res = await sao.mockPrompt(template, {
-      kbnVersion: 'master',
-    });
-
-    const packageContents = getFileContents(res.files['package.json']);
+    const packageContents = getFileContents(res.files['kibana.json']);
     const pkg = JSON.parse(packageContents);
 
-    expect(pkg.kibana.templateVersion).toBe(templatePkg.version);
+    expect(pkg.version).toBe('v6.0.0');
   });
 
   it('sample app has correct values', async () => {
     const res = await sao.mockPrompt(template, {
       generateApp: true,
-      generateHack: true,
       generateApi: true,
     });
 
-    const contents = getFileContents(res.files['public/app.js']);
-    const controllerLine = contents.match('setRootController(.*)')[1];
+    const contents = getFileContents(res.files['common/index.ts']);
+    const controllerLine = contents.match("PLUGIN_ID = '(.*)'")[1];
 
     expect(controllerLine).toContain('someFancyPlugin');
   });
 
   it('includes dotfiles', async () => {
     const res = await sao.mockPrompt(template);
-    expect(res.files['.gitignore']).toBeTruthy();
     expect(res.files['.eslintrc.js']).toBeTruthy();
   });
 });
diff --git a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/.i18nrc.json b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/.i18nrc.json
deleted file mode 100644
index 1a8aea8853876..0000000000000
--- a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/.i18nrc.json
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,9 +0,0 @@
-{
-  "paths": {
-    "<%= camelCase(name) %>": "./"
-  },
-  "translations": [
-    "translations/zh-CN.json"
-  ]
-}
-
diff --git a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/.kibana-plugin-helpers.json b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/.kibana-plugin-helpers.json
deleted file mode 100644
index 383368c7f8ce1..0000000000000
--- a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/.kibana-plugin-helpers.json
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,3 +0,0 @@
-{
-  "styleSheetToCompile": "public/app.scss"
-}
diff --git a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/README.md b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/README.md
index 59c3adf2713c8..1e0139428fcbc 100755
--- a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/README.md
+++ b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/README.md
@@ -6,34 +6,7 @@
 
 ---
 
-## development
+## Development
 
-See the [kibana contributing guide](https://github.com/elastic/kibana/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.md) for instructions setting up your development environment. Once you have completed that, use the following yarn scripts.
+See the [kibana contributing guide](https://github.com/elastic/kibana/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.md) for instructions setting up your development environment.
 
-  - `yarn kbn bootstrap`
-
-    Install dependencies and crosslink Kibana and all projects/plugins.
-
-    > ***IMPORTANT:*** Use this script instead of `yarn` to install dependencies when switching branches, and re-run it whenever your dependencies change.
-
-  - `yarn start`
-
-    Start kibana and have it include this plugin. You can pass any arguments that you would normally send to `bin/kibana`
-
-      ```
-      yarn start --elasticsearch.hosts http://localhost:9220
-      ```
-
-  - `yarn build`
-
-    Build a distributable archive of your plugin.
-
-  - `yarn test:browser`
-
-    Run the browser tests in a real web browser.
-
-  - `yarn test:mocha`
-
-    Run the server tests using mocha.
-
-For more information about any of these commands run `yarn ${task} --help`. For a full list of tasks checkout the `package.json` file, or run `yarn run`.
diff --git a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/common/index.ts b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/common/index.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..90ffcb70045aa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/common/index.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+export const PLUGIN_ID = '<%= camelCase(name) %>';
+export const PLUGIN_NAME = '<%= name %>';
diff --git a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/eslintrc.js b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/eslintrc.js
old mode 100755
new mode 100644
index e1dfadc212b7e..b68d42e32e047
--- a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/eslintrc.js
+++ b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/eslintrc.js
@@ -1,24 +1,9 @@
-module.exports = {
-  root: true,
+module.exports = {	
+  root: true,	
   extends: ['@elastic/eslint-config-kibana', 'plugin:@elastic/eui/recommended'],
-  settings: {
-    'import/resolver': {
-      '@kbn/eslint-import-resolver-kibana': {
-        rootPackageName: '<%= snakeCase(name) %>',
-      },
-    },
-  },
-  overrides: [
-    {
-      files: ['**/public/**/*'],
-      settings: {
-        'import/resolver': {
-          '@kbn/eslint-import-resolver-kibana': {
-            forceNode: false,
-            rootPackageName: '<%= snakeCase(name) %>',
-          },
-        },
-      },
-    },
-  ]
-};
+  <%_ if (!isKibanaPlugin) { -%>
+  rules: {
+    "@kbn/eslint/require-license-header": "off"
+  }
+  <%_ } -%>
+};
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/gitignore b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/gitignore
deleted file mode 100755
index db28fed19376d..0000000000000
--- a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/gitignore
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,6 +0,0 @@
-npm-debug.log*
-node_modules
-/build/
-<%_ if (generateScss) { -%>
-/public/app.css
-<%_ } -%>
diff --git a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/index.js b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/index.js
deleted file mode 100755
index 4bc3347ae6019..0000000000000
--- a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/index.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,89 +0,0 @@
-<% if (generateScss) { -%>
-import { resolve } from 'path';
-import { existsSync } from 'fs';
-
-<% } -%>
-
-<% if (generateApp) { -%>
-import { i18n } from '@kbn/i18n';
-<% } -%>
-
-<% if (generateApi) { -%>
-import exampleRoute from './server/routes/example';
-
-<% } -%>
-export default function (kibana) {
-  return new kibana.Plugin({
-    require: ['elasticsearch'],
-    name: '<%= snakeCase(name) %>',
-    uiExports: {
-      <%_ if (generateApp) { -%>
-      app: {
-        title: '<%= startCase(name) %>',
-        description: '<%= description %>',
-        main: 'plugins/<%= snakeCase(name) %>/app',
-      },
-      <%_ } -%>
-      <%_ if (generateHack) { -%>
-      hacks: [
-        'plugins/<%= snakeCase(name) %>/hack'
-      ],
-      <%_ } -%>
-      <%_ if (generateScss) { -%>
-      styleSheetPaths: [resolve(__dirname, 'public/app.scss'), resolve(__dirname, 'public/app.css')].find(p => existsSync(p)),
-      <%_ } -%>
-    },
-
-    config(Joi) {
-      return Joi.object({
-        enabled: Joi.boolean().default(true),
-      }).default();
-    },
-    <%_ if (generateApi || generateApp) { -%>
-
-    // eslint-disable-next-line no-unused-vars
-    init(server, options) {
-      <%_ if (generateApp) { -%>
-      const xpackMainPlugin = server.plugins.xpack_main;
-      if (xpackMainPlugin) {
-        const featureId = '<%= snakeCase(name) %>';
-
-        xpackMainPlugin.registerFeature({
-          id: featureId,
-          name: i18n.translate('<%= camelCase(name) %>.featureRegistry.featureName', {
-            defaultMessage: '<%= name %>',
-          }),
-          navLinkId: featureId,
-          icon: 'questionInCircle',
-          app: [featureId, 'kibana'],
-          catalogue: [],
-          privileges: {
-            all: {
-              api: [],
-              savedObject: {
-                all: [],
-                read: [],
-              },
-              ui: ['show'],
-            },
-            read: {
-              api: [],
-              savedObject: {
-                all: [],
-                read: [],
-              },
-              ui: ['show'],
-            },
-          },
-        });
-      }
-      <%_ } -%>
-
-      <%_ if (generateApi) { -%>
-      // Add server routes and initialize the plugin here
-      exampleRoute(server);
-      <%_ } -%>
-    }
-    <%_ } -%>
-  });
-}
diff --git a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/kibana.json b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/kibana.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..f8bb07040abeb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/kibana.json
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+{
+  "id": "<%= camelCase(name) %>",
+  "version": "<%= kbnVersion %>",
+  "server": <%= hasServer %>,
+  "ui": <%= hasUi %>,
+  "requiredPlugins": ["navigation"],
+  "optionalPlugins": []
+}
diff --git a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/package_template.json b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/package_template.json
deleted file mode 100644
index 4b6629fa90268..0000000000000
--- a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/package_template.json
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,41 +0,0 @@
-{
-  "name": "<%= snakeCase(name) %>",
-  "version": "0.0.0",
-  "description": "<%= description %>",
-  "main": "index.js",
-  "kibana": {
-    "version": "<%= (kbnVersion === 'master') ? 'kibana' : kbnVersion %>",
-    "templateVersion": "<%= templateVersion %>"
-  },
-  "scripts": {
-    "preinstall": "node ../../preinstall_check",
-    "kbn": "node ../../scripts/kbn",
-    "es": "node ../../scripts/es",
-    "lint": "eslint .",
-    "start": "plugin-helpers start",
-    "test:server": "plugin-helpers test:server",
-    "test:browser": "plugin-helpers test:browser",
-    "build": "plugin-helpers build"
-  },
-  <%_ if (generateTranslations) { _%>
-  "dependencies": {
-    "@kbn/i18n": "link:../../packages/kbn-i18n"
-  },
-  <%_ } _%>
-  "devDependencies": {
-    "@elastic/eslint-config-kibana": "link:../../packages/eslint-config-kibana",
-    "@elastic/eslint-import-resolver-kibana": "link:../../packages/kbn-eslint-import-resolver-kibana",
-    "@kbn/expect": "link:../../packages/kbn-expect",
-    "@kbn/plugin-helpers": "link:../../packages/kbn-plugin-helpers",
-    "babel-eslint": "^10.0.1",
-    "eslint": "^5.16.0",
-    "eslint-plugin-babel": "^5.3.0",
-    "eslint-plugin-import": "^2.16.0",
-    "eslint-plugin-jest": "^22.4.1",
-    "eslint-plugin-jsx-a11y": "^6.2.1",
-    "eslint-plugin-mocha": "^5.3.0",
-    "eslint-plugin-no-unsanitized": "^3.0.2",
-    "eslint-plugin-prefer-object-spread": "^1.2.1",
-    "eslint-plugin-react": "^7.12.4"
-  }
-}
diff --git a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/public/__tests__/index.js b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/public/__tests__/index.js
deleted file mode 100755
index 9320bd7b028a8..0000000000000
--- a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/public/__tests__/index.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,7 +0,0 @@
-import expect from '@kbn/expect';
-
-describe('suite', () => {
-  it('is a test', () => {
-    expect(true).to.equal(true);
-  });
-});
diff --git a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/public/app.js b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/public/app.js
deleted file mode 100755
index 37a7c37e916a0..0000000000000
--- a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/public/app.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,45 +0,0 @@
-import React from 'react';
-import { uiModules } from 'ui/modules';
-import chrome from 'ui/chrome';
-import { render, unmountComponentAtNode } from 'react-dom';
-<%_ if (generateTranslations) { _%>
-import { I18nProvider } from '@kbn/i18n/react';
-<%_ } _%>
-
-import { Main } from './components/main';
-
-const app = uiModules.get('apps/<%= camelCase(name) %>');
-
-app.config($locationProvider => {
-  $locationProvider.html5Mode({
-    enabled: false,
-    requireBase: false,
-    rewriteLinks: false,
-  });
-});
-app.config(stateManagementConfigProvider =>
-  stateManagementConfigProvider.disable()
-);
-
-function RootController($scope, $element, $http) {
-  const domNode = $element[0];
-
-  // render react to DOM
-  <%_ if (generateTranslations) { _%>
-  render(
-    <I18nProvider>
-      <Main title="<%= name %>" httpClient={$http} />
-    </I18nProvider>,
-    domNode
-  );
-  <%_ } else { _%>
-  render(<Main title="<%= name %>" httpClient={$http} />, domNode);
-  <%_ } _%>
-
-  // unmount react on controller destroy
-  $scope.$on('$destroy', () => {
-    unmountComponentAtNode(domNode);
-  });
-}
-
-chrome.setRootController('<%= camelCase(name) %>', RootController);
diff --git a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/public/application.tsx b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/public/application.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..8106a18a784e7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/public/application.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+import React from 'react';
+import ReactDOM from 'react-dom';
+import { AppMountParameters, CoreStart } from '<%= relRoot %>/src/core/public';
+import { AppPluginStartDependencies } from './types';
+import { <%= upperCamelCaseName %>App } from './components/app';
+
+
+export const renderApp = (
+    { notifications, http }: CoreStart,
+    { navigation }: AppPluginStartDependencies,
+    { appBasePath, element }: AppMountParameters
+  ) => {
+    ReactDOM.render(
+      <<%= upperCamelCaseName %>App
+        basename={appBasePath}
+        notifications={notifications}
+        http={http}
+        navigation={navigation}
+      />,
+      element
+    );
+  
+    return () => ReactDOM.unmountComponentAtNode(element);
+  };
+  
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/public/components/app.tsx b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/public/components/app.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..7b259a9c5b99d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/public/components/app.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,129 @@
+/*
+ * Licensed to Elasticsearch B.V. under one or more contributor
+ * license agreements. See the NOTICE file distributed with
+ * this work for additional information regarding copyright
+ * ownership. Elasticsearch B.V. licenses this file to you under
+ * the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may
+ * not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing,
+ * software distributed under the License is distributed on an
+ * "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY
+ * KIND, either express or implied.  See the License for the
+ * specific language governing permissions and limitations
+ * under the License.
+ */
+
+import React, { useState } from 'react';
+import { i18n } from '@kbn/i18n';
+import { FormattedMessage, I18nProvider } from '@kbn/i18n/react';
+import { BrowserRouter as Router } from 'react-router-dom';
+
+import {
+  EuiButton,
+  EuiHorizontalRule,
+  EuiPage,
+  EuiPageBody,
+  EuiPageContent,
+  EuiPageContentBody,
+  EuiPageContentHeader,
+  EuiPageHeader,
+  EuiTitle,
+  EuiText,
+} from '@elastic/eui';
+
+import { CoreStart } from '<%= relRoot %>/../src/core/public';
+import { NavigationPublicPluginStart } from '<%= relRoot %>/../src/plugins/navigation/public';
+
+import { PLUGIN_ID, PLUGIN_NAME } from '../../common';
+
+interface <%= upperCamelCaseName %>AppDeps {
+  basename: string;
+  notifications: CoreStart['notifications'];
+  http: CoreStart['http'];
+  navigation: NavigationPublicPluginStart;
+}
+
+export const <%= upperCamelCaseName %>App = ({ basename, notifications, http, navigation }: <%= upperCamelCaseName %>AppDeps) => {
+  // Use React hooks to manage state.
+  const [timestamp, setTimestamp] = useState<string | undefined>();
+
+  const onClickHandler = () => {
+<%_ if (generateApi) { -%>
+    // Use the core http service to make a response to the server API.
+    http.get('/api/<%= snakeCase(name) %>/example').then(res => {
+      setTimestamp(res.time);
+      // Use the core notifications service to display a success message.
+      notifications.toasts.addSuccess(i18n.translate('<%= camelCase(name) %>.dataUpdated', {
+        defaultMessage: 'Data updated',
+      }));
+    });
+<%_ } else { -%>
+    setTimestamp(new Date().toISOString());
+    notifications.toasts.addSuccess(PLUGIN_NAME);
+<%_ } -%>
+  };
+
+  // Render the application DOM.
+  // Note that `navigation.ui.TopNavMenu` is a stateful component exported on the `navigation` plugin's start contract.
+  return (
+    <Router basename={basename}>
+      <I18nProvider>
+        <>
+          <navigation.ui.TopNavMenu appName={ PLUGIN_ID } showSearchBar={true} />
+          <EuiPage restrictWidth="1000px">
+            <EuiPageBody>
+              <EuiPageHeader>
+                <EuiTitle size="l">
+                  <h1>
+                    <FormattedMessage
+                      id="<%= camelCase(name) %>.helloWorldText"
+                      defaultMessage="{name}"
+                      values={{ name: PLUGIN_NAME }}
+                    />
+                  </h1>
+                </EuiTitle>
+              </EuiPageHeader>
+              <EuiPageContent>
+                <EuiPageContentHeader>
+                  <EuiTitle>
+                    <h2>
+                      <FormattedMessage
+                        id="<%= camelCase(name) %>.congratulationsTitle"
+                        defaultMessage="Congratulations, you have successfully created a new Kibana Plugin!"
+                      />
+                    </h2>
+                  </EuiTitle>
+                </EuiPageContentHeader>
+                <EuiPageContentBody>
+                  <EuiText>
+                    <p>
+                      <FormattedMessage
+                        id="<%= camelCase(name) %>.content"
+                        defaultMessage="Look through the generated code and check out the plugin development documentation."
+                      />
+                    </p>
+                    <EuiHorizontalRule/>
+                    <p>
+                      <FormattedMessage
+                        id="<%= camelCase(name) %>.timestampText"
+                        defaultMessage="Last timestamp: {time}"
+                        values={{ time: timestamp ? timestamp : 'Unknown' }}
+                      />
+                    </p>
+                    <EuiButton type="primary" size="s" onClick={onClickHandler}>
+                      <FormattedMessage id="<%= camelCase(name) %>.buttonText" defaultMessage="<%_ if (generateApi) { -%>Get data<%_ } else { -%>Click me<%_ } -%>" />
+                    </EuiButton>
+                  </EuiText>
+                </EuiPageContentBody>
+              </EuiPageContent>
+            </EuiPageBody>
+          </EuiPage>
+        </>
+      </I18nProvider>
+    </Router>
+  );
+};
diff --git a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/public/components/main/index.js b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/public/components/main/index.js
deleted file mode 100644
index 68710baa1bee8..0000000000000
--- a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/public/components/main/index.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-export { Main } from './main';
diff --git a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/public/components/main/main.js b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/public/components/main/main.js
deleted file mode 100644
index 59fd667c709aa..0000000000000
--- a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/public/components/main/main.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,97 +0,0 @@
-import React from 'react';
-import {
-  EuiPage,
-  EuiPageHeader,
-  EuiTitle,
-  EuiPageBody,
-  EuiPageContent,
-  EuiPageContentHeader,
-  EuiPageContentBody,
-  EuiText
-} from '@elastic/eui';
-<%_ if (generateTranslations) { _%>
-import { FormattedMessage } from '@kbn/i18n/react';
-<%_ } _%>
-
-export class Main extends React.Component {
-  constructor(props) {
-    super(props);
-    this.state = {};
-  }
-
-  componentDidMount() {
-    /*
-       FOR EXAMPLE PURPOSES ONLY.  There are much better ways to
-       manage state and update your UI than this.
-    */
-    const { httpClient } = this.props;
-    httpClient.get('../api/<%= name %>/example').then((resp) => {
-      this.setState({ time: resp.data.time });
-    });
-  }
-  render() {
-    const { title } = this.props;
-    return (
-      <EuiPage>
-        <EuiPageBody>
-          <EuiPageHeader>
-            <EuiTitle size="l">
-              <h1>
-                <%_ if (generateTranslations) { _%>
-                <FormattedMessage
-                  id="<%= camelCase(name) %>.helloWorldText"
-                  defaultMessage="{title} Hello World!"
-                  values={{ title }}
-                />
-                <%_ } else { _%>
-                {title} Hello World!
-                <%_ } _%>
-              </h1>
-            </EuiTitle>
-          </EuiPageHeader>
-          <EuiPageContent>
-            <EuiPageContentHeader>
-              <EuiTitle>
-                <h2>
-                  <%_ if (generateTranslations) { _%>
-                  <FormattedMessage
-                    id="<%= camelCase(name) %>.congratulationsTitle"
-                    defaultMessage="Congratulations"
-                  />
-                  <%_ } else { _%>
-                    Congratulations
-                  <%_ } _%>
-                </h2>
-              </EuiTitle>
-            </EuiPageContentHeader>
-            <EuiPageContentBody>
-              <EuiText>
-                <h3>
-                  <%_ if (generateTranslations) { _%>
-                  <FormattedMessage
-                    id="<%= camelCase(name) %>.congratulationsText"
-                    defaultMessage="You have successfully created your first Kibana Plugin!"
-                  />
-                  <%_ } else { _%>
-                    You have successfully created your first Kibana Plugin!
-                  <%_ } _%>
-                </h3>
-                <p>
-                  <%_ if (generateTranslations) { _%>
-                  <FormattedMessage
-                    id="<%= camelCase(name) %>.serverTimeText"
-                    defaultMessage="The server time (via API call) is {time}"
-                    values={{ time: this.state.time || 'NO API CALL YET' }}
-                  />
-                  <%_ } else { _%>
-                    The server time (via API call) is {this.state.time || 'NO API CALL YET'}
-                  <%_ } _%>
-                </p>
-              </EuiText>
-            </EuiPageContentBody>
-          </EuiPageContent>
-        </EuiPageBody>
-      </EuiPage>
-    );
-  }
-}
diff --git a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/public/hack.js b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/public/hack.js
deleted file mode 100755
index 775526c8e44a3..0000000000000
--- a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/public/hack.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,7 +0,0 @@
-import $ from 'jquery';
-
-$(document.body).on('keypress', function (event) {
-  if (event.which === 58) {
-    alert('boo!');
-  }
-});
diff --git a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/public/app.scss b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/public/index.scss
similarity index 100%
rename from packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/public/app.scss
rename to packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/public/index.scss
diff --git a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/public/index.ts b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/public/index.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..2999dc7264ddb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/public/index.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+<%_ if (hasScss) { -%>
+import './index.scss';
+<%_ } -%>
+
+import { <%= upperCamelCaseName %>Plugin } from './plugin';
+
+// This exports static code and TypeScript types, 
+// as well as, Kibana Platform `plugin()` initializer. 
+export function plugin() {
+  return new <%= upperCamelCaseName %>Plugin();
+}
+export {
+  <%= upperCamelCaseName %>PluginSetup,
+  <%= upperCamelCaseName %>PluginStart,
+} from './types';
+
diff --git a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/public/plugin.ts b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/public/plugin.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..76f7f1a6f9908
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/public/plugin.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+import { i18n } from '@kbn/i18n';
+import { AppMountParameters, CoreSetup, CoreStart, Plugin } from '<%= relRoot %>/src/core/public';
+import { <%= upperCamelCaseName %>PluginSetup, <%= upperCamelCaseName %>PluginStart, AppPluginStartDependencies } from './types';
+import { PLUGIN_NAME } from '../common';
+
+export class <%= upperCamelCaseName %>Plugin
+  implements Plugin<<%= upperCamelCaseName %>PluginSetup, <%= upperCamelCaseName %>PluginStart> {
+  
+  public setup(core: CoreSetup): <%= upperCamelCaseName %>PluginSetup {
+    // Register an application into the side navigation menu
+    core.application.register({
+      id: '<%= camelCase(name) %>',
+      title: PLUGIN_NAME,
+      async mount(params: AppMountParameters) {
+        // Load application bundle
+        const { renderApp } = await import('./application');
+        // Get start services as specified in kibana.json
+        const [coreStart, depsStart] = await core.getStartServices();
+        // Render the application
+        return renderApp(coreStart, depsStart as AppPluginStartDependencies, params);
+      },
+    });
+
+    // Return methods that should be available to other plugins
+    return {
+      getGreeting() {
+        return i18n.translate('<%= camelCase(name) %>.greetingText', {
+          defaultMessage: 'Hello from {name}!',
+          values: {
+            name: PLUGIN_NAME,
+          },
+        });
+      },
+    };
+  }
+
+  public start(core: CoreStart): <%= upperCamelCaseName %>PluginStart {
+    return {};
+  }
+
+  public stop() {}
+}
diff --git a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/public/types.ts b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/public/types.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..2ebb0c0d1257f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/public/types.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+import { NavigationPublicPluginStart } from '<%= relRoot %>/src/plugins/navigation/public';
+
+export interface <%= upperCamelCaseName %>PluginSetup {
+  getGreeting: () => string;
+}
+// eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-empty-interface
+export interface <%= upperCamelCaseName %>PluginStart {}
+
+export interface AppPluginStartDependencies { 
+  navigation: NavigationPublicPluginStart 
+};
diff --git a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/server/__tests__/index.js b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/server/__tests__/index.js
deleted file mode 100755
index 9320bd7b028a8..0000000000000
--- a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/server/__tests__/index.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,7 +0,0 @@
-import expect from '@kbn/expect';
-
-describe('suite', () => {
-  it('is a test', () => {
-    expect(true).to.equal(true);
-  });
-});
diff --git a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/server/index.ts b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/server/index.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..816b8faec2a45
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/server/index.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+import { PluginInitializerContext } from '<%= relRoot %>/src/core/server';
+import { <%= upperCamelCaseName %>Plugin } from './plugin';
+
+
+//  This exports static code and TypeScript types, 
+//  as well as, Kibana Platform `plugin()` initializer.
+ 
+ export function plugin(initializerContext: PluginInitializerContext) {
+  return new <%= upperCamelCaseName %>Plugin(initializerContext);
+}
+
+export {
+  <%= upperCamelCaseName %>PluginSetup,
+  <%= upperCamelCaseName %>PluginStart,
+} from './types';
diff --git a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/server/plugin.ts b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/server/plugin.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..d6a343209e39e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/server/plugin.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+import { PluginInitializerContext, CoreSetup, CoreStart, Plugin, Logger } from '<%= relRoot %>/src/core/server';
+
+import { <%= upperCamelCaseName %>PluginSetup, <%= upperCamelCaseName %>PluginStart } from './types';
+import { defineRoutes } from './routes';
+
+export class <%= upperCamelCaseName %>Plugin
+  implements Plugin<<%= upperCamelCaseName %>PluginSetup, <%= upperCamelCaseName %>PluginStart> {
+  private readonly logger: Logger;
+
+  constructor(initializerContext: PluginInitializerContext) {  
+    this.logger = initializerContext.logger.get(); 
+  }
+  
+  public setup(core: CoreSetup) {
+    this.logger.debug('<%= name %>: Setup');
+    const router = core.http.createRouter();
+
+    // Register server side APIs
+    defineRoutes(router);
+
+    return {};
+  }
+
+  public start(core: CoreStart) {
+    this.logger.debug('<%= name %>: Started');
+    return {};
+  }
+
+  public stop() {}
+}
diff --git a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/server/routes/example.js b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/server/routes/example.js
deleted file mode 100755
index 5a612645f48fc..0000000000000
--- a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/server/routes/example.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,11 +0,0 @@
-export default function (server) {
-
-  server.route({
-    path: '/api/<%= name %>/example',
-    method: 'GET',
-    handler() {
-      return { time: (new Date()).toISOString() };
-    }
-  });
-
-}
diff --git a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/server/routes/index.ts b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/server/routes/index.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..d8bb00f0dea6c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/server/routes/index.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+import { IRouter } from '<%= relRoot %>/../src/core/server';
+
+export function defineRoutes(router: IRouter) {
+  router.get(
+    {
+      path: '/api/<%= snakeCase(name) %>/example',
+      validate: false,
+    },
+    async (context, request, response) => {
+      return response.ok({
+        body: {
+          time: new Date().toISOString(),
+        },
+      });
+    }
+  );
+}
diff --git a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/server/types.ts b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/server/types.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..adbc5e93f03c5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/server/types.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+// eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-empty-interface
+export interface <%= upperCamelCaseName %>PluginSetup {}
+// eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-empty-interface
+export interface <%= upperCamelCaseName %>PluginStart {}
diff --git a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/translations/zh-CN.json b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/translations/zh-CN.json
deleted file mode 100644
index 3447511c6739a..0000000000000
--- a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/sao_template/template/translations/zh-CN.json
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,84 +0,0 @@
-{
-  "formats": {
-    "number": {
-      "currency": {
-        "style": "currency"
-      },
-      "percent": {
-        "style": "percent"
-      }
-    },
-    "date": {
-      "short": {
-        "month": "numeric",
-        "day": "numeric",
-        "year": "2-digit"
-      },
-      "medium": {
-        "month": "short",
-        "day": "numeric",
-        "year": "numeric"
-      },
-      "long": {
-        "month": "long",
-        "day": "numeric",
-        "year": "numeric"
-      },
-      "full": {
-        "weekday": "long",
-        "month": "long",
-        "day": "numeric",
-        "year": "numeric"
-      }
-    },
-    "time": {
-      "short": {
-        "hour": "numeric",
-        "minute": "numeric"
-      },
-      "medium": {
-        "hour": "numeric",
-        "minute": "numeric",
-        "second": "numeric"
-      },
-      "long": {
-        "hour": "numeric",
-        "minute": "numeric",
-        "second": "numeric",
-        "timeZoneName": "short"
-      },
-      "full": {
-        "hour": "numeric",
-        "minute": "numeric",
-        "second": "numeric",
-        "timeZoneName": "short"
-      }
-    },
-    "relative": {
-      "years": {
-        "units": "year"
-      },
-      "months": {
-        "units": "month"
-      },
-      "days": {
-        "units": "day"
-      },
-      "hours": {
-        "units": "hour"
-      },
-      "minutes": {
-        "units": "minute"
-      },
-      "seconds": {
-        "units": "second"
-      }
-    }
-  },
-  "messages": {
-    "<%= camelCase(name) %>.congratulationsText": "您已经成功创建第一个 Kibana 插件。",
-    "<%= camelCase(name) %>.congratulationsTitle": "恭喜!",
-    "<%= camelCase(name) %>.helloWorldText": "{title} 您好，世界！",
-    "<%= camelCase(name) %>.serverTimeText": "服务器时间（通过 API 调用）为 {time}"
-  }
-}
diff --git a/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/tsconfig.json b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/tsconfig.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..fe0f7112f1fa9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/kbn-plugin-generator/tsconfig.json
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+{
+  "extends": "../../tsconfig.json",
+  "include": ["**/*", "index.js.d.ts"],
+  "exclude": ["sao_template/template/*"]
+}