diff --git a/docs/builtin.rst b/docs/builtin.rst
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..80299bd62
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/builtin.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+Built-in Settings and Capabilities
+==================================
+
+.. currentmodule:: singer_sdk.helpers.capabilities
+
+The Singer SDK library provides a number of built-in settings and capabilities.
+
+.. autodata:: ACTIVATE_VERSION
+   :no-value:
+
+.. autodata:: ADD_RECORD_METADATA
+   :no-value:
+
+.. autodata:: BATCH
+   :no-value:
+
+.. autodata:: FLATTENING
+   :no-value:
+
+.. autodata:: STREAM_MAPS
+   :no-value:
+
+.. autodata:: TARGET_BATCH_SIZE_ROWS
+   :no-value:
+
+.. autodata:: TARGET_HARD_DELETE
+   :no-value:
+
+.. autodata:: TARGET_LOAD_METHOD
+   :no-value:
+
+.. autodata:: TARGET_SCHEMA
+   :no-value:
+
+.. autodata:: TARGET_VALIDATE_RECORDS
+   :no-value:
diff --git a/docs/index.rst b/docs/index.rst
index 081c56f24..a9c89fbb8 100644
--- a/docs/index.rst
+++ b/docs/index.rst
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ within the `#singer-tap-development`_ and `#singer-target-development`_ Slack ch
    implementation/index
    typing
    capabilities
+   builtin
 
 .. toctree::
    :caption: Advanced Concepts
diff --git a/singer_sdk/connectors/sql.py b/singer_sdk/connectors/sql.py
index 540de023e..7bc8c6efe 100644
--- a/singer_sdk/connectors/sql.py
+++ b/singer_sdk/connectors/sql.py
@@ -17,8 +17,8 @@
 from singer_sdk import typing as th
 from singer_sdk._singerlib import CatalogEntry, MetadataMapping, Schema
 from singer_sdk.exceptions import ConfigValidationError
+from singer_sdk.helpers import capabilities
 from singer_sdk.helpers._util import dump_json, load_json
-from singer_sdk.helpers.capabilities import TargetLoadMethods
 
 if sys.version_info < (3, 13):
     from typing_extensions import deprecated
@@ -1247,7 +1247,7 @@ def prepare_table(
                 as_temp_table=as_temp_table,
             )
             return
-        if self.config["load_method"] == TargetLoadMethods.OVERWRITE:
+        if self.config["load_method"] == capabilities.TargetLoadMethods.OVERWRITE:
             self.get_table(full_table_name=full_table_name).drop(self._engine)
             self.create_empty_table(
                 full_table_name=full_table_name,
diff --git a/singer_sdk/helpers/capabilities/__init__.py b/singer_sdk/helpers/capabilities/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..2db0a849b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/singer_sdk/helpers/capabilities/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,191 @@
+"""Module with helpers to declare capabilities and plugin behavior."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from singer_sdk.helpers.capabilities import _schema as schema
+from singer_sdk.helpers.capabilities._builtin import Builtin
+from singer_sdk.helpers.capabilities._config_property import ConfigProperty
+from singer_sdk.helpers.capabilities._enum import (
+    CapabilitiesEnum,
+    PluginCapabilities,
+    TapCapabilities,
+    TargetCapabilities,
+    TargetLoadMethods,
+)
+
+__all__ = [
+    "ADD_RECORD_METADATA",
+    "BATCH",
+    "FLATTENING",
+    "STREAM_MAPS",
+    "TARGET_BATCH_SIZE_ROWS",
+    "TARGET_HARD_DELETE",
+    "TARGET_LOAD_METHOD",
+    "TARGET_SCHEMA",
+    "TARGET_VALIDATE_RECORDS",
+    "CapabilitiesEnum",
+    "ConfigProperty",
+    "PluginCapabilities",
+    "TapCapabilities",
+    "TargetCapabilities",
+    "TargetLoadMethods",
+]
+
+#: Support the `ACTIVATE_VERSION <https://hub.meltano.com/singer/docs#activate-version>`_
+#: extension.
+#:
+#: Example:
+#:
+#: .. code-block:: json
+#:
+#:    {
+#:        "activate_version": true
+#:    }
+#:
+ACTIVATE_VERSION = Builtin(
+    schema=schema.ACTIVATE_VERSION_CONFIG,
+    capability=PluginCapabilities.ACTIVATE_VERSION,
+)
+
+#: Add metadata to records.
+#:
+#: Example:
+#:
+#: .. code-block:: json
+#:
+#:    {
+#:        "add_record_metadata": true
+#:    }
+#:
+ADD_RECORD_METADATA = Builtin(schema=schema.ADD_RECORD_METADATA_CONFIG)
+
+#: For taps, support emitting BATCH messages. For targets, support consuming BATCH
+#: messages.
+#:
+#: Example:
+#:
+#: .. code-block:: json
+#:
+#:    {
+#:        "batch_config": {
+#:            "encoding": {
+#:                "format": "jsonl",
+#:                "compression": "gzip"
+#:            },
+#:            "storage": {
+#:                "type": "root",
+#:                "root": "file:///path/to/batch/files",
+#:                "prefix": "batch-"
+#:            }
+#:        }
+#:    }
+#:
+BATCH = Builtin(
+    schema=schema.BATCH_CONFIG,
+    capability=PluginCapabilities.BATCH,
+)
+
+#: Support schema flattening, aka de-nesting of complex properties.
+#:
+#: Example:
+#:
+#: .. code-block:: json
+#:
+#:    {
+#:        "flattening_enabled": true,
+#:        "flattening_max_depth": 3
+#:    }
+#:
+FLATTENING = Builtin(
+    schema=schema.FLATTENING_CONFIG,
+    capability=PluginCapabilities.FLATTENING,
+)
+
+#: Support inline stream map transforms.
+#:
+#: Example:
+#:
+#: .. code-block:: json
+#:
+#:    {
+#:      "stream_maps": {
+#:        "users": {
+#:          "id": "id",
+#:          "fields": "[f for f in fields if f['key'] != 'age']"
+#:        }
+#:      }
+#:    }
+#:
+STREAM_MAPS = Builtin(
+    schema.STREAM_MAPS_CONFIG,
+    capability=PluginCapabilities.STREAM_MAPS,
+)
+
+#: Target batch size in rows.
+#:
+#: Example:
+#:
+#: .. code-block:: json
+#:
+#:    {
+#:        "batch_size_rows": 10000
+#:    }
+#:
+TARGET_BATCH_SIZE_ROWS = Builtin(schema=schema.TARGET_BATCH_SIZE_ROWS_CONFIG)
+
+#: Support hard delete capability.
+#:
+#: Example:
+#:
+#: .. code-block:: json
+#:
+#:    {
+#:        "hard_delete": true
+#:    }
+#:
+TARGET_HARD_DELETE = Builtin(
+    schema=schema.TARGET_HARD_DELETE_CONFIG,
+    capability=TargetCapabilities.HARD_DELETE,
+)
+
+#: Target load method.
+#:
+#: Example:
+#:
+#: .. code-block:: json
+#:
+#:    {
+#:        "load_method": "upsert"
+#:    }
+#:
+TARGET_LOAD_METHOD = Builtin(schema=schema.TARGET_LOAD_METHOD_CONFIG)
+
+#: Allow setting the target schema.
+#:
+#: Example:
+#:
+#: .. code-block:: json
+#:
+#:    {
+#:        "default_target_schema": "my_schema"
+#:    }
+#:
+TARGET_SCHEMA = Builtin(
+    schema=schema.TARGET_SCHEMA_CONFIG,
+    capability=TargetCapabilities.TARGET_SCHEMA,
+)
+
+#: Validate incoming records against their declared schema.
+#:
+#: Example:
+#:
+#: .. code-block:: json
+#:
+#:    {
+#:        "validate_records": true
+#:    }
+#:
+TARGET_VALIDATE_RECORDS = Builtin(
+    schema=schema.TARGET_VALIDATE_RECORDS_CONFIG,
+    capability=TargetCapabilities.VALIDATE_RECORDS,
+)
diff --git a/singer_sdk/helpers/capabilities/_builtin.py b/singer_sdk/helpers/capabilities/_builtin.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b3a2c1479
--- /dev/null
+++ b/singer_sdk/helpers/capabilities/_builtin.py
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import typing as t
+
+from ._config_property import ConfigProperty
+
+if t.TYPE_CHECKING:
+    from ._enum import CapabilitiesEnum
+
+_T = t.TypeVar("_T")
+
+
+class Builtin:
+    """Use this class to define built-in setting(s) for a plugin."""
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        schema: dict[str, t.Any],
+        *,
+        capability: CapabilitiesEnum | None = None,
+        **kwargs: t.Any,
+    ):
+        """Initialize the descriptor.
+
+        Args:
+            schema: The JSON schema for the setting.
+            capability: The capability that the setting is associated with.
+            kwargs: Additional keyword arguments.
+        """
+        self.schema = schema
+        self.capability = capability
+        self.kwargs = kwargs
+
+    def attribute(  # noqa: PLR6301
+        self,
+        custom_key: str | None = None,
+        *,
+        default: _T | None = None,
+    ) -> ConfigProperty[_T]:
+        """Generate a class attribute for the setting.
+
+        Args:
+            custom_key: Custom key to use in the config.
+            default: Default value for the setting.
+
+        Returns:
+            Class attribute for the setting.
+        """
+        return ConfigProperty(custom_key=custom_key, default=default)
diff --git a/singer_sdk/helpers/capabilities/_config_property.py b/singer_sdk/helpers/capabilities/_config_property.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ef3e35b56
--- /dev/null
+++ b/singer_sdk/helpers/capabilities/_config_property.py
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import typing as t
+
+T = t.TypeVar("T")
+
+
+class ConfigProperty(t.Generic[T]):
+    """A descriptor that gets a value from a named key of the config attribute."""
+
+    def __init__(self, custom_key: str | None = None, *, default: T | None = None):
+        """Initialize the descriptor.
+
+        Args:
+            custom_key: The key to get from the config attribute instead of the
+                attribute name.
+            default: The default value if the key is not found.
+        """
+        self.key = custom_key
+        self.default = default
+
+    def __set_name__(self, owner, name: str) -> None:  # noqa: ANN001
+        """Set the name of the attribute.
+
+        Args:
+            owner: The class of the object.
+            name: The name of the attribute.
+        """
+        self.key = self.key or name
+
+    def __get__(self, instance, owner) -> T | None:  # noqa: ANN001
+        """Get the value from the instance's config attribute.
+
+        Args:
+            instance: The instance of the object.
+            owner: The class of the object.
+
+        Returns:
+            The value from the config attribute.
+        """
+        return instance.config.get(self.key, self.default)  # type: ignore[no-any-return]
diff --git a/singer_sdk/helpers/capabilities/_enum.py b/singer_sdk/helpers/capabilities/_enum.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a6bbc46bc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/singer_sdk/helpers/capabilities/_enum.py
@@ -0,0 +1,197 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import enum
+import typing as t
+import warnings
+
+_EnumMemberT = t.TypeVar("_EnumMemberT")
+
+
+class TargetLoadMethods(str, enum.Enum):
+    """Target-specific capabilities."""
+
+    # always write all input records whether that records already exists or not
+    APPEND_ONLY = "append-only"
+
+    # update existing records and insert new records
+    UPSERT = "upsert"
+
+    # delete all existing records and insert all input records
+    OVERWRITE = "overwrite"
+
+
+class DeprecatedEnum(enum.Enum):
+    """Base class for capabilities enumeration."""
+
+    def __new__(
+        cls,
+        value: _EnumMemberT,
+        deprecation: str | None = None,
+    ) -> DeprecatedEnum:
+        """Create a new enum member.
+
+        Args:
+            value: Enum member value.
+            deprecation: Deprecation message.
+
+        Returns:
+            An enum member value.
+        """
+        member: DeprecatedEnum = object.__new__(cls)
+        member._value_ = value
+        member.deprecation = deprecation
+        return member
+
+    @property
+    def deprecation_message(self) -> str | None:
+        """Get deprecation message.
+
+        Returns:
+            Deprecation message.
+        """
+        self.deprecation: str | None
+        return self.deprecation
+
+    def emit_warning(self) -> None:
+        """Emit deprecation warning."""
+        warnings.warn(
+            f"{self.name} is deprecated. {self.deprecation_message}",
+            DeprecationWarning,
+            stacklevel=3,
+        )
+
+
+class DeprecatedEnumMeta(enum.EnumMeta):
+    """Metaclass for enumeration with deprecation support."""
+
+    def __getitem__(cls, name: str) -> t.Any:  # noqa: ANN401
+        """Retrieve mapping item.
+
+        Args:
+            name: Item name.
+
+        Returns:
+            Enum member.
+        """
+        obj: enum.Enum = super().__getitem__(name)
+        if isinstance(obj, DeprecatedEnum) and obj.deprecation_message:
+            obj.emit_warning()
+        return obj
+
+    def __getattribute__(cls, name: str) -> t.Any:  # noqa: ANN401
+        """Retrieve enum attribute.
+
+        Args:
+            name: Attribute name.
+
+        Returns:
+            Attribute.
+        """
+        obj = super().__getattribute__(name)
+        if isinstance(obj, DeprecatedEnum) and obj.deprecation_message:
+            obj.emit_warning()
+        return obj
+
+    def __call__(cls, *args: t.Any, **kwargs: t.Any) -> t.Any:  # noqa: ANN401
+        """Call enum member.
+
+        Args:
+            args: Positional arguments.
+            kwargs: Keyword arguments.
+
+        Returns:
+            Enum member.
+        """
+        obj = super().__call__(*args, **kwargs)
+        if isinstance(obj, DeprecatedEnum) and obj.deprecation_message:
+            obj.emit_warning()
+        return obj
+
+
+class CapabilitiesEnum(DeprecatedEnum, metaclass=DeprecatedEnumMeta):
+    """Base capabilities enumeration."""
+
+    def __str__(self) -> str:
+        """String representation.
+
+        Returns:
+            Stringified enum value.
+        """
+        return str(self.value)
+
+    def __repr__(self) -> str:
+        """String representation.
+
+        Returns:
+            Stringified enum value.
+        """
+        return str(self.value)
+
+
+class PluginCapabilities(CapabilitiesEnum):
+    """Core capabilities which can be supported by taps and targets."""
+
+    #: Support plugin capability and setting discovery.
+    ABOUT = "about"
+
+    #: Support :doc:`inline stream map transforms</stream_maps>`.
+    STREAM_MAPS = "stream-maps"
+
+    #: Support schema flattening, aka de-nesting of complex properties.
+    FLATTENING = "schema-flattening"
+
+    #: Support the
+    #: `ACTIVATE_VERSION <https://hub.meltano.com/singer/docs#activate-version>`_
+    #: extension.
+    ACTIVATE_VERSION = "activate-version"
+
+    #: Input and output from
+    #: `batched files <https://hub.meltano.com/singer/docs#batch>`_.
+    #: A.K.A ``FAST_SYNC``.
+    BATCH = "batch"
+
+
+class TapCapabilities(CapabilitiesEnum):
+    """Tap-specific capabilities."""
+
+    #: Generate a catalog with `--discover`.
+    DISCOVER = "discover"
+
+    #: Accept input catalog, apply metadata and selection rules.
+    CATALOG = "catalog"
+
+    #: Incremental refresh by means of state tracking.
+    STATE = "state"
+
+    #: Automatic connectivity and stream init test via :ref:`--test<Test connectivity>`.
+    TEST = "test"
+
+    #: Support for ``replication_method: LOG_BASED``. You can read more about this
+    #: feature in `MeltanoHub <https://hub.meltano.com/singer/docs#log-based>`_.
+    LOG_BASED = "log-based"
+
+    #: Deprecated. Please use :attr:`~TapCapabilities.CATALOG` instead.
+    PROPERTIES = "properties", "Please use CATALOG instead."
+
+
+class TargetCapabilities(CapabilitiesEnum):
+    """Target-specific capabilities."""
+
+    #: Allows a ``soft_delete=True`` config option.
+    #: Requires a tap stream supporting :attr:`PluginCapabilities.ACTIVATE_VERSION`
+    #: and/or :attr:`TapCapabilities.LOG_BASED`.
+    SOFT_DELETE = "soft-delete"
+
+    #: Allows a ``hard_delete=True`` config option.
+    #: Requires a tap stream supporting :attr:`PluginCapabilities.ACTIVATE_VERSION`
+    #: and/or :attr:`TapCapabilities.LOG_BASED`.
+    HARD_DELETE = "hard-delete"
+
+    #: Fail safe for unknown JSON Schema types.
+    DATATYPE_FAILSAFE = "datatype-failsafe"
+
+    #: Allow setting the target schema.
+    TARGET_SCHEMA = "target-schema"
+
+    #: Validate the schema of the incoming records.
+    VALIDATE_RECORDS = "validate-records"
diff --git a/singer_sdk/helpers/capabilities.py b/singer_sdk/helpers/capabilities/_schema.py
similarity index 53%
rename from singer_sdk/helpers/capabilities.py
rename to singer_sdk/helpers/capabilities/_schema.py
index a679bfd84..c6e25f748 100644
--- a/singer_sdk/helpers/capabilities.py
+++ b/singer_sdk/helpers/capabilities/_schema.py
@@ -1,11 +1,7 @@
-"""Module with helpers to declare capabilities and plugin behavior."""
+"""Default JSON Schema to support config for built-in capabilities."""
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-import typing as t
-from enum import Enum, EnumMeta
-from warnings import warn
-
 from singer_sdk.typing import (
     ArrayType,
     BooleanType,
@@ -18,9 +14,7 @@
     StringType,
 )
 
-_EnumMemberT = t.TypeVar("_EnumMemberT")
-
-# Default JSON Schema to support config for built-in capabilities:
+from ._enum import TargetLoadMethods
 
 STREAM_MAPS_CONFIG = PropertiesList(
     Property(
@@ -65,11 +59,12 @@
         description=(
             "Config for the [`Faker`](https://faker.readthedocs.io/en/master/) "
             "instance variable `fake` used within map expressions. Only applicable if "
-            "the plugin specifies `faker` as an addtional dependency (through the "
+            "the plugin specifies `faker` as an additional dependency (through the "
             "`singer-sdk` `faker` extra or directly)."
         ),
     ),
 ).to_dict()
+
 FLATTENING_CONFIG = PropertiesList(
     Property(
         "flattening_enabled",
@@ -87,6 +82,7 @@
         description="The max depth to flatten schemas.",
     ),
 ).to_dict()
+
 BATCH_CONFIG = PropertiesList(
     Property(
         "batch_config",
@@ -136,6 +132,7 @@
         ),
     ),
 ).to_dict()
+
 TARGET_SCHEMA_CONFIG = PropertiesList(
     Property(
         "default_target_schema",
@@ -144,6 +141,7 @@
         description="The default target database schema name to use for all streams.",
     ),
 ).to_dict()
+
 ACTIVATE_VERSION_CONFIG = PropertiesList(
     Property(
         "activate_version",
@@ -153,6 +151,7 @@
         description="Whether to process `ACTIVATE_VERSION` messages.",
     ),
 ).to_dict()
+
 ADD_RECORD_METADATA_CONFIG = PropertiesList(
     Property(
         "add_record_metadata",
@@ -161,6 +160,7 @@
         description="Whether to add metadata fields to records.",
     ),
 ).to_dict()
+
 TARGET_HARD_DELETE_CONFIG = PropertiesList(
     Property(
         "hard_delete",
@@ -170,6 +170,7 @@
         default=False,
     ),
 ).to_dict()
+
 TARGET_VALIDATE_RECORDS_CONFIG = PropertiesList(
     Property(
         "validate_records",
@@ -179,6 +180,7 @@
         default=True,
     ),
 ).to_dict()
+
 TARGET_BATCH_SIZE_ROWS_CONFIG = PropertiesList(
     Property(
         "batch_size_rows",
@@ -188,20 +190,6 @@
     ),
 ).to_dict()
 
-
-class TargetLoadMethods(str, Enum):
-    """Target-specific capabilities."""
-
-    # always write all input records whether that records already exists or not
-    APPEND_ONLY = "append-only"
-
-    # update existing records and insert new records
-    UPSERT = "upsert"
-
-    # delete all existing records and insert all input records
-    OVERWRITE = "overwrite"
-
-
 TARGET_LOAD_METHOD_CONFIG = PropertiesList(
     Property(
         "load_method",
@@ -221,180 +209,3 @@ class TargetLoadMethods(str, Enum):
         default=TargetLoadMethods.APPEND_ONLY,
     ),
 ).to_dict()
-
-
-class DeprecatedEnum(Enum):
-    """Base class for capabilities enumeration."""
-
-    def __new__(
-        cls,
-        value: _EnumMemberT,
-        deprecation: str | None = None,
-    ) -> DeprecatedEnum:
-        """Create a new enum member.
-
-        Args:
-            value: Enum member value.
-            deprecation: Deprecation message.
-
-        Returns:
-            An enum member value.
-        """
-        member: DeprecatedEnum = object.__new__(cls)
-        member._value_ = value
-        member.deprecation = deprecation
-        return member
-
-    @property
-    def deprecation_message(self) -> str | None:
-        """Get deprecation message.
-
-        Returns:
-            Deprecation message.
-        """
-        self.deprecation: str | None
-        return self.deprecation
-
-    def emit_warning(self) -> None:
-        """Emit deprecation warning."""
-        warn(
-            f"{self.name} is deprecated. {self.deprecation_message}",
-            DeprecationWarning,
-            stacklevel=3,
-        )
-
-
-class DeprecatedEnumMeta(EnumMeta):
-    """Metaclass for enumeration with deprecation support."""
-
-    def __getitem__(cls, name: str) -> t.Any:  # noqa: ANN401
-        """Retrieve mapping item.
-
-        Args:
-            name: Item name.
-
-        Returns:
-            Enum member.
-        """
-        obj: Enum = super().__getitem__(name)
-        if isinstance(obj, DeprecatedEnum) and obj.deprecation_message:
-            obj.emit_warning()
-        return obj
-
-    def __getattribute__(cls, name: str) -> t.Any:  # noqa: ANN401
-        """Retrieve enum attribute.
-
-        Args:
-            name: Attribute name.
-
-        Returns:
-            Attribute.
-        """
-        obj = super().__getattribute__(name)
-        if isinstance(obj, DeprecatedEnum) and obj.deprecation_message:
-            obj.emit_warning()
-        return obj
-
-    def __call__(cls, *args: t.Any, **kwargs: t.Any) -> t.Any:  # noqa: ANN401
-        """Call enum member.
-
-        Args:
-            args: Positional arguments.
-            kwargs: Keyword arguments.
-
-        Returns:
-            Enum member.
-        """
-        obj = super().__call__(*args, **kwargs)
-        if isinstance(obj, DeprecatedEnum) and obj.deprecation_message:
-            obj.emit_warning()
-        return obj
-
-
-class CapabilitiesEnum(DeprecatedEnum, metaclass=DeprecatedEnumMeta):
-    """Base capabilities enumeration."""
-
-    def __str__(self) -> str:
-        """String representation.
-
-        Returns:
-            Stringified enum value.
-        """
-        return str(self.value)
-
-    def __repr__(self) -> str:
-        """String representation.
-
-        Returns:
-            Stringified enum value.
-        """
-        return str(self.value)
-
-
-class PluginCapabilities(CapabilitiesEnum):
-    """Core capabilities which can be supported by taps and targets."""
-
-    #: Support plugin capability and setting discovery.
-    ABOUT = "about"
-
-    #: Support :doc:`inline stream map transforms</stream_maps>`.
-    STREAM_MAPS = "stream-maps"
-
-    #: Support schema flattening, aka denesting of complex properties.
-    FLATTENING = "schema-flattening"
-
-    #: Support the
-    #: `ACTIVATE_VERSION <https://hub.meltano.com/singer/docs#activate-version>`_
-    #: extension.
-    ACTIVATE_VERSION = "activate-version"
-
-    #: Input and output from
-    #: `batched files <https://hub.meltano.com/singer/docs#batch>`_.
-    #: A.K.A ``FAST_SYNC``.
-    BATCH = "batch"
-
-
-class TapCapabilities(CapabilitiesEnum):
-    """Tap-specific capabilities."""
-
-    #: Generate a catalog with `--discover`.
-    DISCOVER = "discover"
-
-    #: Accept input catalog, apply metadata and selection rules.
-    CATALOG = "catalog"
-
-    #: Incremental refresh by means of state tracking.
-    STATE = "state"
-
-    #: Automatic connectivity and stream init test via :ref:`--test<Test connectivity>`.
-    TEST = "test"
-
-    #: Support for ``replication_method: LOG_BASED``. You can read more about this
-    #: feature in `MeltanoHub <https://hub.meltano.com/singer/docs#log-based>`_.
-    LOG_BASED = "log-based"
-
-    #: Deprecated. Please use :attr:`~TapCapabilities.CATALOG` instead.
-    PROPERTIES = "properties", "Please use CATALOG instead."
-
-
-class TargetCapabilities(CapabilitiesEnum):
-    """Target-specific capabilities."""
-
-    #: Allows a ``soft_delete=True`` config option.
-    #: Requires a tap stream supporting :attr:`PluginCapabilities.ACTIVATE_VERSION`
-    #: and/or :attr:`TapCapabilities.LOG_BASED`.
-    SOFT_DELETE = "soft-delete"
-
-    #: Allows a ``hard_delete=True`` config option.
-    #: Requires a tap stream supporting :attr:`PluginCapabilities.ACTIVATE_VERSION`
-    #: and/or :attr:`TapCapabilities.LOG_BASED`.
-    HARD_DELETE = "hard-delete"
-
-    #: Fail safe for unknown JSON Schema types.
-    DATATYPE_FAILSAFE = "datatype-failsafe"
-
-    #: Allow setting the target schema.
-    TARGET_SCHEMA = "target-schema"
-
-    #: Validate the schema of the incoming records.
-    VALIDATE_RECORDS = "validate-records"
diff --git a/singer_sdk/mapper.py b/singer_sdk/mapper.py
index 004d0f60a..2e27b8093 100644
--- a/singer_sdk/mapper.py
+++ b/singer_sdk/mapper.py
@@ -654,7 +654,7 @@ def _init_faker_instance(self) -> Faker | None:
 
 
 class PluginMapper:
-    """Inline map tranformer."""
+    """Inline map transformer."""
 
     def __init__(
         self,
diff --git a/singer_sdk/mapper_base.py b/singer_sdk/mapper_base.py
index 650552f5f..82ceb74ca 100644
--- a/singer_sdk/mapper_base.py
+++ b/singer_sdk/mapper_base.py
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@
 
 import click
 
-from singer_sdk.helpers._classproperty import classproperty
 from singer_sdk.helpers.capabilities import CapabilitiesEnum, PluginCapabilities
 from singer_sdk.io_base import SingerReader, SingerWriter
 from singer_sdk.plugin_base import PluginBase
@@ -19,16 +18,10 @@
 class InlineMapper(PluginBase, SingerReader, SingerWriter, metaclass=abc.ABCMeta):
     """Abstract base class for inline mappers."""
 
-    @classproperty
-    def capabilities(self) -> list[CapabilitiesEnum]:  # noqa: PLR6301
-        """Get capabilities.
-
-        Returns:
-            A list of plugin capabilities.
-        """
-        return [
-            PluginCapabilities.STREAM_MAPS,
-        ]
+    #: A list of plugin capabilities.
+    capabilities: t.ClassVar[list[CapabilitiesEnum]] = [
+        PluginCapabilities.STREAM_MAPS,
+    ]
 
     def _write_messages(self, messages: t.Iterable[singer.Message]) -> None:
         for message in messages:
diff --git a/singer_sdk/plugin_base.py b/singer_sdk/plugin_base.py
index 62f72f804..7feed79c0 100644
--- a/singer_sdk/plugin_base.py
+++ b/singer_sdk/plugin_base.py
@@ -22,16 +22,11 @@
     parse_environment_config,
 )
 from singer_sdk.exceptions import ConfigValidationError
+from singer_sdk.helpers import capabilities
 from singer_sdk.helpers._classproperty import classproperty
 from singer_sdk.helpers._compat import SingerSDKDeprecationWarning
 from singer_sdk.helpers._secrets import SecretString, is_common_secret_key
 from singer_sdk.helpers._util import read_json_file
-from singer_sdk.helpers.capabilities import (
-    FLATTENING_CONFIG,
-    STREAM_MAPS_CONFIG,
-    CapabilitiesEnum,
-    PluginCapabilities,
-)
 from singer_sdk.mapper import PluginMapper
 from singer_sdk.typing import (
     DEFAULT_JSONSCHEMA_VALIDATOR,
@@ -108,7 +103,7 @@ def _format_validation_error(error: ValidationError) -> str:
     return result
 
 
-class PluginBase(metaclass=abc.ABCMeta):  # noqa: PLR0904
+class PluginBase(metaclass=abc.ABCMeta):
     """Abstract base class for taps."""
 
     #: The executable name of the tap or target plugin. e.g. tap-foo
@@ -122,6 +117,14 @@ class PluginBase(metaclass=abc.ABCMeta):  # noqa: PLR0904
 
     _config: dict
 
+    #: Advertised built-in plugin capabilities. Developers may override this property
+    #: in order to add or remove advertised capabilities for this plugin.
+    capabilities: t.ClassVar[list[capabilities.CapabilitiesEnum]] = [
+        capabilities.PluginCapabilities.STREAM_MAPS,
+        capabilities.PluginCapabilities.FLATTENING,
+        capabilities.PluginCapabilities.BATCH,
+    ]
+
     @classproperty
     def logger(cls) -> logging.Logger:  # noqa: N805
         """Get logger.
@@ -248,22 +251,6 @@ def initialized_at(self) -> int:
         """
         return self.__initialized_at
 
-    @classproperty
-    def capabilities(self) -> list[CapabilitiesEnum]:  # noqa: PLR6301
-        """Get capabilities.
-
-        Developers may override this property in oder to add or remove
-        advertised capabilities for this plugin.
-
-        Returns:
-            A list of plugin capabilities.
-        """
-        return [
-            PluginCapabilities.STREAM_MAPS,
-            PluginCapabilities.FLATTENING,
-            PluginCapabilities.BATCH,
-        ]
-
     @classproperty
     def _env_var_prefix(cls) -> str:  # noqa: N805
         return f"{cls.name.upper().replace('-', '_')}_"
@@ -487,12 +474,17 @@ def append_builtin_config(cls: type[PluginBase], config_jsonschema: dict) -> Non
         Args:
             config_jsonschema: [description]
         """
-        capabilities = cls.capabilities
-        if PluginCapabilities.STREAM_MAPS in capabilities:
-            merge_missing_config_jsonschema(STREAM_MAPS_CONFIG, config_jsonschema)
+        if capabilities.STREAM_MAPS.capability in cls.capabilities:
+            merge_missing_config_jsonschema(
+                capabilities.STREAM_MAPS.schema,
+                config_jsonschema,
+            )
 
-        if PluginCapabilities.FLATTENING in capabilities:
-            merge_missing_config_jsonschema(FLATTENING_CONFIG, config_jsonschema)
+        if capabilities.FLATTENING.capability in cls.capabilities:
+            merge_missing_config_jsonschema(
+                capabilities.FLATTENING.schema,
+                config_jsonschema,
+            )
 
     @classmethod
     def print_about(
diff --git a/singer_sdk/sinks/core.py b/singer_sdk/sinks/core.py
index 7d9d24a3c..02f2aa2f3 100644
--- a/singer_sdk/sinks/core.py
+++ b/singer_sdk/sinks/core.py
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@
 import importlib.util
 import time
 import typing as t
-from functools import cached_property
 from gzip import GzipFile
 from gzip import open as gzip_open
 from types import MappingProxyType
@@ -24,6 +23,7 @@
     InvalidRecord,
     MissingKeyPropertiesError,
 )
+from singer_sdk.helpers import capabilities
 from singer_sdk.helpers._batch import (
     BaseBatchFileEncoding,
     BatchConfig,
@@ -144,6 +144,22 @@ class Sink(metaclass=abc.ABCMeta):  # noqa: PLR0904
     fail_on_record_validation_exception: bool = True
     """Interrupt the target execution when a record fails schema validation."""
 
+    #: Enable JSON schema record validation.
+    validate_schema = capabilities.TARGET_VALIDATE_RECORDS.attribute(
+        "validate_records",
+        default=True,
+    )
+
+    include_sdc_metadata_properties = capabilities.ADD_RECORD_METADATA.attribute(
+        "add_record_metadata",
+        default=False,
+    )
+
+    process_activate_version_messages = capabilities.ACTIVATE_VERSION.attribute(
+        "activate_version",
+        default=True,
+    )
+
     def __init__(
         self,
         target: Target,
@@ -220,15 +236,6 @@ def batch_processing_timer(self) -> metrics.Timer:
         """
         return self._batch_timer
 
-    @cached_property
-    def validate_schema(self) -> bool:
-        """Enable JSON schema record validation.
-
-        Returns:
-            True if JSON schema validation is enabled.
-        """
-        return self.config.get("validate_records", True)
-
     def get_validator(self) -> BaseJSONSchemaValidator | None:
         """Get a record validator for this sink.
 
@@ -390,24 +397,6 @@ def batch_config(self) -> BatchConfig | None:
         raw = self.config.get("batch_config")
         return BatchConfig.from_dict(raw) if raw else None
 
-    @property
-    def include_sdc_metadata_properties(self) -> bool:
-        """Check if metadata columns should be added.
-
-        Returns:
-            True if metadata columns should be added.
-        """
-        return self.config.get("add_record_metadata", False)
-
-    @property
-    def process_activate_version_messages(self) -> bool:
-        """Check if activate version messages should be processed.
-
-        Returns:
-            True if activate version messages should be processed.
-        """
-        return self.config.get("activate_version", True)
-
     @property
     def datetime_error_treatment(self) -> DatetimeErrorTreatmentEnum:
         """Return a treatment to use for datetime parse errors: ERROR. MAX, or NULL.
diff --git a/singer_sdk/tap_base.py b/singer_sdk/tap_base.py
index cccbe4fd5..56edcfb70 100644
--- a/singer_sdk/tap_base.py
+++ b/singer_sdk/tap_base.py
@@ -18,17 +18,10 @@
     AbortedSyncPausedException,
     ConfigValidationError,
 )
-from singer_sdk.helpers import _state
-from singer_sdk.helpers._classproperty import classproperty
+from singer_sdk.helpers import _state, capabilities
 from singer_sdk.helpers._compat import SingerSDKDeprecationWarning
 from singer_sdk.helpers._state import write_stream_state
 from singer_sdk.helpers._util import dump_json, read_json_file
-from singer_sdk.helpers.capabilities import (
-    BATCH_CONFIG,
-    CapabilitiesEnum,
-    PluginCapabilities,
-    TapCapabilities,
-)
 from singer_sdk.io_base import SingerWriter
 from singer_sdk.plugin_base import PluginBase
 
@@ -61,6 +54,17 @@ class Tap(PluginBase, SingerWriter, metaclass=abc.ABCMeta):  # noqa: PLR0904
     """Whether the tap's catalog is dynamic. Set to True if the catalog is
     generated dynamically (e.g. by querying a database's system tables)."""
 
+    #: A list of capabilities supported by this tap.
+    capabilities: t.ClassVar[list[capabilities.CapabilitiesEnum]] = [
+        capabilities.TapCapabilities.CATALOG,
+        capabilities.TapCapabilities.STATE,
+        capabilities.TapCapabilities.DISCOVER,
+        capabilities.PluginCapabilities.ABOUT,
+        capabilities.PluginCapabilities.STREAM_MAPS,
+        capabilities.PluginCapabilities.FLATTENING,
+        capabilities.PluginCapabilities.BATCH,
+    ]
+
     # Constructor
 
     def __init__(
@@ -193,23 +197,6 @@ def setup_mapper(self) -> None:
         super().setup_mapper()
         self.mapper.register_raw_streams_from_catalog(self.catalog)
 
-    @classproperty
-    def capabilities(self) -> list[CapabilitiesEnum]:  # noqa: PLR6301
-        """Get tap capabilities.
-
-        Returns:
-            A list of capabilities supported by this tap.
-        """
-        return [
-            TapCapabilities.CATALOG,
-            TapCapabilities.STATE,
-            TapCapabilities.DISCOVER,
-            PluginCapabilities.ABOUT,
-            PluginCapabilities.STREAM_MAPS,
-            PluginCapabilities.FLATTENING,
-            PluginCapabilities.BATCH,
-        ]
-
     @classmethod
     def append_builtin_config(cls: type[PluginBase], config_jsonschema: dict) -> None:
         """Appends built-in config to `config_jsonschema` if not already set.
@@ -228,9 +215,11 @@ def append_builtin_config(cls: type[PluginBase], config_jsonschema: dict) -> Non
         """
         PluginBase.append_builtin_config(config_jsonschema)
 
-        capabilities = cls.capabilities
-        if PluginCapabilities.BATCH in capabilities:
-            merge_missing_config_jsonschema(BATCH_CONFIG, config_jsonschema)
+        if capabilities.BATCH.capability in cls.capabilities:  # pragma: no branch
+            merge_missing_config_jsonschema(
+                capabilities.BATCH.schema,
+                config_jsonschema,
+            )
 
     # Connection and sync tests:
 
diff --git a/singer_sdk/target_base.py b/singer_sdk/target_base.py
index c30c2084a..e7d925cff 100644
--- a/singer_sdk/target_base.py
+++ b/singer_sdk/target_base.py
@@ -13,21 +13,8 @@
 from joblib import Parallel, delayed, parallel_config
 
 from singer_sdk.exceptions import RecordsWithoutSchemaException
+from singer_sdk.helpers import capabilities
 from singer_sdk.helpers._batch import BaseBatchFileEncoding
-from singer_sdk.helpers._classproperty import classproperty
-from singer_sdk.helpers.capabilities import (
-    ACTIVATE_VERSION_CONFIG,
-    ADD_RECORD_METADATA_CONFIG,
-    BATCH_CONFIG,
-    TARGET_BATCH_SIZE_ROWS_CONFIG,
-    TARGET_HARD_DELETE_CONFIG,
-    TARGET_LOAD_METHOD_CONFIG,
-    TARGET_SCHEMA_CONFIG,
-    TARGET_VALIDATE_RECORDS_CONFIG,
-    CapabilitiesEnum,
-    PluginCapabilities,
-    TargetCapabilities,
-)
 from singer_sdk.io_base import SingerMessageType, SingerReader
 from singer_sdk.plugin_base import PluginBase
 
@@ -57,6 +44,14 @@ class Target(PluginBase, SingerReader, metaclass=abc.ABCMeta):
     # Required if `Target.get_sink_class()` is not defined.
     default_sink_class: type[Sink]
 
+    #: Target capabilities.
+    capabilities: t.ClassVar[list[capabilities.CapabilitiesEnum]] = [
+        capabilities.PluginCapabilities.ABOUT,
+        capabilities.PluginCapabilities.STREAM_MAPS,
+        capabilities.PluginCapabilities.FLATTENING,
+        capabilities.TargetCapabilities.VALIDATE_RECORDS,
+    ]
+
     def __init__(
         self,
         *,
@@ -96,20 +91,6 @@ def __init__(
         if setup_mapper:
             self.setup_mapper()
 
-    @classproperty
-    def capabilities(self) -> list[CapabilitiesEnum]:  # noqa: PLR6301
-        """Get target capabilities.
-
-        Returns:
-            A list of capabilities supported by this target.
-        """
-        return [
-            PluginCapabilities.ABOUT,
-            PluginCapabilities.STREAM_MAPS,
-            PluginCapabilities.FLATTENING,
-            TargetCapabilities.VALIDATE_RECORDS,
-        ]
-
     @property
     def max_parallelism(self) -> int:
         """Get max parallel sinks.
@@ -629,20 +610,21 @@ def _merge_missing(source_jsonschema: dict, target_jsonschema: dict) -> None:
                 if k not in target_jsonschema["properties"]:
                     target_jsonschema["properties"][k] = v
 
-        _merge_missing(ADD_RECORD_METADATA_CONFIG, config_jsonschema)
-        _merge_missing(TARGET_LOAD_METHOD_CONFIG, config_jsonschema)
-        _merge_missing(TARGET_BATCH_SIZE_ROWS_CONFIG, config_jsonschema)
-
-        capabilities = cls.capabilities
+        _merge_missing(capabilities.ADD_RECORD_METADATA.schema, config_jsonschema)
+        _merge_missing(capabilities.TARGET_LOAD_METHOD.schema, config_jsonschema)
+        _merge_missing(capabilities.TARGET_BATCH_SIZE_ROWS.schema, config_jsonschema)
 
-        if PluginCapabilities.ACTIVATE_VERSION in capabilities:
-            _merge_missing(ACTIVATE_VERSION_CONFIG, config_jsonschema)
+        if capabilities.ACTIVATE_VERSION.capability in cls.capabilities:
+            _merge_missing(capabilities.ACTIVATE_VERSION.schema, config_jsonschema)
 
-        if PluginCapabilities.BATCH in capabilities:
-            _merge_missing(BATCH_CONFIG, config_jsonschema)
+        if capabilities.BATCH.capability in cls.capabilities:
+            _merge_missing(capabilities.BATCH.schema, config_jsonschema)
 
-        if TargetCapabilities.VALIDATE_RECORDS in capabilities:
-            _merge_missing(TARGET_VALIDATE_RECORDS_CONFIG, config_jsonschema)
+        if capabilities.TARGET_VALIDATE_RECORDS.capability in cls.capabilities:
+            _merge_missing(
+                capabilities.TARGET_VALIDATE_RECORDS.schema,
+                config_jsonschema,
+            )
 
         super().append_builtin_config(config_jsonschema)
 
@@ -654,6 +636,14 @@ class SQLTarget(Target):
 
     default_sink_class: type[SQLSink]
 
+    #: Target capabilities.
+    capabilities: t.ClassVar[list[capabilities.CapabilitiesEnum]] = [
+        *Target.capabilities,
+        capabilities.PluginCapabilities.ACTIVATE_VERSION,
+        capabilities.TargetCapabilities.TARGET_SCHEMA,
+        capabilities.TargetCapabilities.HARD_DELETE,
+    ]
+
     @property
     def target_connector(self) -> SQLConnector:
         """The connector object.
@@ -667,24 +657,6 @@ def target_connector(self) -> SQLConnector:
             )
         return self._target_connector
 
-    @classproperty
-    def capabilities(self) -> list[CapabilitiesEnum]:
-        """Get target capabilities.
-
-        Returns:
-            A list of capabilities supported by this target.
-        """
-        sql_target_capabilities: list[CapabilitiesEnum] = super().capabilities
-        sql_target_capabilities.extend(
-            [
-                PluginCapabilities.ACTIVATE_VERSION,
-                TargetCapabilities.TARGET_SCHEMA,
-                TargetCapabilities.HARD_DELETE,
-            ]
-        )
-
-        return sql_target_capabilities
-
     @classmethod
     def append_builtin_config(cls: type[SQLTarget], config_jsonschema: dict) -> None:
         """Appends built-in config to `config_jsonschema` if not already set.
@@ -708,13 +680,11 @@ def _merge_missing(source_jsonschema: dict, target_jsonschema: dict) -> None:
                 if k not in target_jsonschema["properties"]:
                     target_jsonschema["properties"][k] = v
 
-        capabilities = cls.capabilities
-
-        if TargetCapabilities.TARGET_SCHEMA in capabilities:
-            _merge_missing(TARGET_SCHEMA_CONFIG, config_jsonschema)
+        if capabilities.TARGET_SCHEMA.capability in cls.capabilities:
+            _merge_missing(capabilities.TARGET_SCHEMA.schema, config_jsonschema)
 
-        if TargetCapabilities.HARD_DELETE in capabilities:
-            _merge_missing(TARGET_HARD_DELETE_CONFIG, config_jsonschema)
+        if capabilities.TARGET_HARD_DELETE.capability in cls.capabilities:
+            _merge_missing(capabilities.TARGET_HARD_DELETE.schema, config_jsonschema)
 
         super().append_builtin_config(config_jsonschema)
 
diff --git a/tests/core/helpers/__init__.py b/tests/core/helpers/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e69de29bb
diff --git a/tests/core/helpers/capabilities/__init__.py b/tests/core/helpers/capabilities/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e69de29bb
diff --git a/tests/core/test_capabilities.py b/tests/core/helpers/capabilities/test_capabilities.py
similarity index 63%
rename from tests/core/test_capabilities.py
rename to tests/core/helpers/capabilities/test_capabilities.py
index 49149469a..b4297c8d5 100644
--- a/tests/core/test_capabilities.py
+++ b/tests/core/helpers/capabilities/test_capabilities.py
@@ -16,10 +16,36 @@ class DummyCapabilitiesEnum(CapabilitiesEnum):
 
 
 def test_deprecated_capabilities():
+    # Dictionary access
+    with warnings.catch_warnings():
+        warnings.simplefilter("error")
+        _ = DummyCapabilitiesEnum["MY_SUPPORTED_FEATURE"]
+
+    # Call
+    with warnings.catch_warnings():
+        warnings.simplefilter("error")
+        _ = DummyCapabilitiesEnum("supported")
+
+    # Attribute access
     with warnings.catch_warnings():
         warnings.simplefilter("error")
         _ = DummyCapabilitiesEnum.MY_SUPPORTED_FEATURE
 
+    # Dictionary access
+    with pytest.warns(
+        DeprecationWarning,
+        match="is deprecated. No longer supported",
+    ) as record:
+        _ = DummyCapabilitiesEnum["MY_DEPRECATED_FEATURE"]
+
+    # Call
+    with pytest.warns(
+        DeprecationWarning,
+        match="is deprecated. No longer supported",
+    ) as record:
+        DummyCapabilitiesEnum("deprecated")
+
+    # Attribute access
     with pytest.warns(
         DeprecationWarning,
         match="is deprecated. No longer supported",
diff --git a/tests/core/helpers/capabilities/test_config_property.py b/tests/core/helpers/capabilities/test_config_property.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..10165dcc5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/core/helpers/capabilities/test_config_property.py
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+"""Test the BuiltinSetting descriptor."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from singer_sdk.helpers.capabilities import ConfigProperty
+
+
+def test_builtin_setting_descriptor():
+    class ObjWithConfig:
+        example = ConfigProperty(default=1)
+
+        def __init__(self):
+            self.config = {"example": 1}
+
+    obj = ObjWithConfig()
+    assert obj.example == 1
+
+    obj.config["example"] = 2
+    assert obj.example == 2
+
+
+def test_builtin_setting_descriptor_custom_key():
+    class ObjWithConfig:
+        my_attr = ConfigProperty("example", default=1)
+
+        def __init__(self):
+            self.config = {"example": 1}
+
+    obj = ObjWithConfig()
+    assert obj.my_attr == 1
+
+    obj.config["example"] = 2
+    assert obj.my_attr == 2