# Creating a Plugin

This guide walks you through the steps to create an Angular plugin for our platform. You'll start by setting up the basic structure, configuring necessary files, and then running a local server to preview your plugin.

If you prefer to create the plugin without a specific framework there's also [Creating a Plugin](./create-plugin.md).

Keep in mind that this guide is for creating a plugin **inside `penpot-plugins` monorepo**. If you want to create a plugin outside our environment you can check the [Penpot Plugin Starter Template](https://github.com/penpot/penpot-plugin-starter-template) or the documentation at [Create a Plugin](https://help.penpot.app/plugins/create-a-plugin/).

Let's dive in.

### Step 1: Initialize the Plugin

First, you need to create the scaffolding for your plugin. Use the following command, replacing `example-plugin` with the name of your plugin:

```sh
npx nx g @nx/angular:app example-plugin --directory=apps/example-plugin --bundler=esbuild
```

### Step 2: Configure the Manifest

Next, create a `manifest.json` file inside the `/src/assets` directory. This file is crucial as it defines key properties of your plugin, including permissions and the entry point script.

```json
{
  "name": "Example plugin",
  "host": "http://localhost:4200",
  "code": "/assets/plugin.js",
  "icon": "/assets/icon.png",
  "permissions": [
    "content:write",
    "library:write",
    "user:read",
    "comment:read",
    "allow:downloads"
  ]
}
```

### Step 3: Update Project Configuration

Now, add the plugin tag.

```typescript
"tags": ["type:plugin"],
```

Also, update `targets.build` with the following code to allow the use of Penpot styles and build the plugin code.

```json
"options": {
  "styles": [
    "libs/plugins-styles/src/lib/styles.css",
    "apps/example-plugin/src/styles.css"
  ],
  "optimization": {
    "scripts": true,
    "styles": true,
    "fonts": false
  }
},
"dependsOn": ["buildPlugin"]
```

Add the default port to the `serve.configurations.development` task:

```json
"development": {
  // ...
  "port": 4302,
}
```

For choosing the port go check the Sample Plugins table at the [README](../README.md) so your plugin doesn't use a duplicate port. We're using the range 4300-4399.

### Step 4: Modify TypeScript Configuration

Create ``tsconfig.plugin.json` next to the `tsconfig.json`:

```json
{
  "extends": "./tsconfig.json",
  "compilerOptions": {
    "types": []
  },
  "files": ["src/plugin.ts"],
  "include": ["../../libs/plugin-types/index.d.ts"]
}
```

Add the reference to the main tsconfig.json:

```json
"references": [
  {
    "path": "./tsconfig.plugin.json"
  }
],
```

### Step 5: Add TS parser to eslint

Add these options to the end of the `eslint.config.js` file to allow linting with type information:

```js
  {
    languageOptions: {
      parserOptions: {
        project: './tsconfig.*?.json',
        tsconfigRootDir: import.meta.dirname,
      },
    },
  },
```

### Strep 6: Hello world plugin code

Create the file `apps/example-plugin/src/plugin.ts` with the following code:

```ts
console.log('Hello Plugin');
```

### Step 7: Run the plugin

Run this command:

```sh
npx nx run example-plugin:init
```

This will run two tasks: `serve`, the usual Angular server, and `buildPlugin`, which will compile the `plugin.ts` file.

### Step 8: Load the Plugin in Penpot

To load your plugin into Penpot you can use the shortcut `Ctrl + Alt + P` to directly open the Plugin manager modal. There you need to provide the plugin's manifest URL (example: `http://plugin.example/manifest.json`) for the installation. If there's no issues the plugin will be installed and then you would be able to open it whenever you like.

You can also open the Plugin manager modal via:

- Menu

  ![Penpot's menu image](./images/plugin-menu.png)

### Step 9: Build plugin

```
npx nx run example-plugin:build
```

### Learn More About Plugin Development

For more detailed information on plugin development, check out our guides:

- [Plugin Usage Documentation](,/plugin-usage.md)