> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://backstage.spotify.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Installing a Plugin

> Install Backstage plugins in Portal by browsing recommended plugins or entering npm package names directly.

## Explore Recommended Plugins

The **Explore** tab on the Plugin Settings page features a curated collection of community and partner plugins that Portal recommends to enhance your experience. Browse the available plugins and click **Install** on any plugin card to begin the installation.

<Frame>
  <img
    src="https://mintcdn.com/spotify-89f50c35/O_uASSrC5KrVagGW/portal/assets/managing-plugins/explore-page.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=O_uASSrC5KrVagGW&q=85&s=95f3b99474fd75a15e3831bea479f712"
    alt="The Explore tab showing a curated collection of community and partner
plugins"
    width="2312"
    height="1762"
    data-path="portal/assets/managing-plugins/explore-page.png"
  />
</Frame>

## Install by Package Name

1. From the Plugin Settings page, click **Add plugin** in the top right

<Frame>
  <img
    src="https://mintcdn.com/spotify-89f50c35/O_uASSrC5KrVagGW/portal/assets/managing-plugins/add-plugin-button.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=O_uASSrC5KrVagGW&q=85&s=b8e341faa38d8564553a5f69d80c022f"
    alt="The Add plugin button on the Plugin Settings
page"
    width="2310"
    height="1000"
    data-path="portal/assets/managing-plugins/add-plugin-button.png"
  />
</Frame>

2. In the install dialog, enter the npm package name of the plugin you want to install. If your plugin has multiple packages (for example, a frontend and a backend package), add each package name on a separate line

<Note>
  If this is your first time installing a plugin, you will be asked to accept a
  consent disclaimer acknowledging that installed packages have access to Portal
  data and configuration. This prompt only appears once.
</Note>

<Frame>
  <img
    src="https://mintcdn.com/spotify-89f50c35/O_uASSrC5KrVagGW/portal/assets/managing-plugins/install-disclaimer.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=O_uASSrC5KrVagGW&q=85&s=c44855d7241621817320cc7669ad2cd1"
    alt="Install dialog with package name
inputs"
    width="1792"
    height="1408"
    data-path="portal/assets/managing-plugins/install-disclaimer.png"
  />
</Frame>

<Tip>
  You can paste multiple package names at once — Portal will automatically split them into separate entries.

  To install a specific version, append `@` followed by the version number to the package name (e.g., `@backstage/plugin-example@1.2.3`). If no version is specified, the latest stable version will be installed. See [Plugin Versioning](./plugin-versioning) for more details on supported version formats.
</Tip>

3. Click **Install** to begin the installation

4. Portal will start a build process. You can monitor progress in the build dialog — see [Build Progress](./build-progress) for details

5. Once the build completes successfully, click **Finish** to return to Plugin Settings

<Frame>
  <img
    src="https://mintcdn.com/spotify-89f50c35/O_uASSrC5KrVagGW/portal/assets/managing-plugins/install-complete.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=O_uASSrC5KrVagGW&q=85&s=39eda14c086f81d55e6c7def82a450ff"
    alt="Installation complete with Finish
button"
    width="1828"
    height="1398"
    data-path="portal/assets/managing-plugins/install-complete.png"
  />
</Frame>

<Note>
  A plugin may install successfully but is not guaranteed to work as expected.
  We recommend manually testing your plugin after installation. Many plugins
  rely on entity annotations to pull content — if this applies, update your
  `catalog-info.yaml` files to include the required annotations.
</Note>