Introduction to Plugins

Movable Type’s Plugin API provides developers with the ability to extend Movable Type’s core platform with additional functionality. Developers use this API to create “plugins,” which can be as simple as providing a template tag for designers to use in their templates, or as complex as providing an entire suite of capabilities. Plugins can also function as an entire stand alone application that runs on top of the Movable Type Publishing Platform.

The following sections will introduce developers unfamiliar to Movable Type and its conventions to the structure of a plugin, how it should be packaged and delivered to users, and finally how you can list it in the directory to help others find and install it.

• The Basic Structure of a Plugin
• Plugin Packaging
• The Plugin Directory