diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index a184d56..f93df02 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -13,10 +13,23 @@ Two starter plugins are included:
 
 1. `.cursor-plugin/marketplace.json`: set marketplace `name`, `owner`, and `metadata`.
 2. `plugins/*/.cursor-plugin/plugin.json`: set `name` (lowercase kebab-case), `displayName`, `author`, `description`, `keywords`, `license`, and `version`.
-3. Replace placeholder rules, skills, agents, commands, hooks, scripts, and logos.
+3. Replace `assets/avatar.png` with your own plugin avatar (PNG, recommended 128x128 or larger).
+4. Replace placeholder rules, skills, agents, commands, hooks, and scripts.
 
 To add more plugins, see `docs/add-a-plugin.md`.
 
+## Plugin avatar
+
+Each plugin includes an `assets/avatar.png` that is displayed in the Cursor Marketplace. The `logo` field in `.cursor-plugin/plugin.json` points to this file:
+
+```json
+{
+  "logo": "assets/avatar.png"
+}
+```
+
+Replace the default avatar with your own PNG image. Keep it square and at least 128x128 pixels for best results.
+
 ## Single plugin vs multi-plugin
 
 This template defaults to **multi-plugin** (multiple plugins in one repo).
@@ -29,6 +42,6 @@ For a **single plugin**, move your plugin folder contents to the repository root
 - Plugin names are unique, lowercase, and kebab-case.
 - `.cursor-plugin/marketplace.json` entries map to real plugin folders.
 - All frontmatter metadata is present in rule, skill, agent, and command files.
-- Logos are committed and referenced with relative paths.
+- Each plugin has an `assets/avatar.png` referenced by the `logo` field in its manifest.
 - `node scripts/validate-template.mjs` passes.
 - Repository link is ready for submission to the Cursor team (Slack or `kniparko@anysphere.com`).
diff --git a/docs/add-a-plugin.md b/docs/add-a-plugin.md
index b7b3414..585236e 100644
--- a/docs/add-a-plugin.md
+++ b/docs/add-a-plugin.md
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ Example manifest:
   "author": {
     "name": "Your Org"
   },
-  "logo": "assets/logo.svg"
+  "logo": "assets/avatar.png"
 }
 ```
 
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ Add only the components you need:
 - `commands/*.(md|mdc|markdown|txt)` (frontmatter recommended)
 - `hooks/hooks.json` and `scripts/*` for automation hooks
 - `mcp.json` for MCP server definitions
-- `assets/logo.svg` for marketplace display
+- `assets/avatar.png` for marketplace display
 
 ## 3. Register in marketplace manifest
 
diff --git a/plugins/starter-advanced/.cursor-plugin/plugin.json b/plugins/starter-advanced/.cursor-plugin/plugin.json
index 6e41288..99ea043 100644
--- a/plugins/starter-advanced/.cursor-plugin/plugin.json
+++ b/plugins/starter-advanced/.cursor-plugin/plugin.json
@@ -8,6 +8,15 @@
     "email": "plugins@example.com"
   },
   "license": "MIT",
-  "keywords": ["cursor", "plugin", "rules", "skills", "agents", "commands", "hooks", "mcp"],
-  "logo": "assets/logo.svg"
+  "keywords": [
+    "cursor",
+    "plugin",
+    "rules",
+    "skills",
+    "agents",
+    "commands",
+    "hooks",
+    "mcp"
+  ],
+  "logo": "assets/avatar.png"
 }
diff --git a/plugins/starter-advanced/assets/avatar.png b/plugins/starter-advanced/assets/avatar.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..03e7377
Binary files /dev/null and b/plugins/starter-advanced/assets/avatar.png differ
diff --git a/plugins/starter-advanced/assets/logo.svg b/plugins/starter-advanced/assets/logo.svg
deleted file mode 100644
index 078f604..0000000
--- a/plugins/starter-advanced/assets/logo.svg
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,7 +0,0 @@
-<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 128 128" role="img" aria-labelledby="title desc">
-  <title id="title">Starter Advanced Logo</title>
-  <desc id="desc">Full-featured plugin logo with lightning and badge.</desc>
-  <rect width="128" height="128" rx="20" fill="#111827" />
-  <path d="M68 18 36 72h24l-6 38 38-58H66z" fill="#F59E0B" />
-  <circle cx="98" cy="30" r="12" fill="#10B981" />
-</svg>
diff --git a/plugins/starter-simple/.cursor-plugin/plugin.json b/plugins/starter-simple/.cursor-plugin/plugin.json
index e28e8a7..abda249 100644
--- a/plugins/starter-simple/.cursor-plugin/plugin.json
+++ b/plugins/starter-simple/.cursor-plugin/plugin.json
@@ -8,6 +8,11 @@
     "email": "plugins@example.com"
   },
   "license": "MIT",
-  "keywords": ["cursor", "plugin", "rules", "skills"],
-  "logo": "assets/logo.svg"
+  "keywords": [
+    "cursor",
+    "plugin",
+    "rules",
+    "skills"
+  ],
+  "logo": "assets/avatar.png"
 }
diff --git a/plugins/starter-simple/assets/avatar.png b/plugins/starter-simple/assets/avatar.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..03e7377
Binary files /dev/null and b/plugins/starter-simple/assets/avatar.png differ
diff --git a/plugins/starter-simple/assets/logo.svg b/plugins/starter-simple/assets/logo.svg
deleted file mode 100644
index b834618..0000000
--- a/plugins/starter-simple/assets/logo.svg
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,7 +0,0 @@
-<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 128 128" role="img" aria-labelledby="title desc">
-  <title id="title">Starter Simple Logo</title>
-  <desc id="desc">Minimal geometric logo for the starter simple plugin.</desc>
-  <rect width="128" height="128" rx="20" fill="#0F172A" />
-  <rect x="20" y="20" width="88" height="88" rx="14" fill="#2563EB" />
-  <path d="M38 64h52M64 38v52" stroke="#E2E8F0" stroke-width="10" stroke-linecap="round" />
-</svg>