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

# Introduction to Plugins

> Extend OpenClaw with custom channels, tools, and hooks

OpenClaw's plugin system allows you to extend the AI gateway with custom channels, tools, hooks, and services. Plugins enable you to integrate new messaging platforms, add domain-specific agent capabilities, and customize behavior at every stage of the message lifecycle.

## What Are Plugins?

Plugins are JavaScript/TypeScript modules that register extensions via the Plugin API. They can:

* **Add custom channels** - Integrate new messaging platforms (Matrix, Microsoft Teams, IRC, etc.)
* **Register agent tools** - Extend agent capabilities with custom actions and integrations
* **Implement hooks** - Intercept and modify behavior at key lifecycle points
* **Run background services** - Add persistent background tasks (diagnostics, monitoring, etc.)
* **Extend the CLI** - Add custom commands to the `openclaw` CLI
* **Handle HTTP requests** - Expose webhooks and custom API endpoints

## Why Build Plugins?

Plugins let you customize OpenClaw without forking the core codebase:

* **Channel integrations** - Connect OpenClaw to any messaging platform
* **Domain-specific tools** - Add specialized agent capabilities for your workflow
* **Custom hooks** - Log agent activity, implement memory systems, modify prompts
* **Enterprise integrations** - Connect to internal systems, databases, or APIs
* **Observability** - Export telemetry, metrics, and diagnostics

## Plugin Capabilities

### Channels

Channel plugins integrate messaging platforms. A channel plugin implements adapters for:

* Message sending/receiving
* Authentication and pairing
* Group management and mentions
* Directory listing (users, groups)
* Status checks and probing

Examples: `@openclaw/matrix`, `@openclaw/msteams`, `extensions/irc`

### Tools

Tool plugins add new agent capabilities. Tools are exposed to the LLM and can be called during agent runs:

* Custom actions (send email, create ticket, query database)
* Integrations (Slack actions, WhatsApp login, voice calls)
* Workflow automation (task management, approvals)

Examples: `extensions/llm-task`, channel-specific tools

### Hooks

Hooks let you intercept and modify behavior at key lifecycle points:

* **Agent lifecycle** - `before_agent_start`, `llm_input`, `llm_output`, `agent_end`
* **Message flow** - `message_received`, `message_sending`, `message_sent`
* **Tool execution** - `before_tool_call`, `after_tool_call`, `tool_result_persist`
* **Session management** - `session_start`, `session_end`, `before_compaction`
* **Gateway lifecycle** - `gateway_start`, `gateway_stop`

Examples: bundled hooks (`src/hooks/bundled/`), plugin hooks

### Services

Service plugins run background tasks:

* Diagnostics and monitoring
* Metrics export (OpenTelemetry)
* Scheduled tasks
* Background processing

Examples: `extensions/diagnostics-otel`

## Plugin Distribution

Plugins can be distributed in three ways:

1. **npm packages** - `@openclaw/matrix`, `@openclaw/msteams` (recommended for public plugins)
2. **Workspace packages** - `extensions/` directory (monorepo pattern, used by OpenClaw core)
3. **Local directories** - `~/.openclaw/extensions/` (user-installed plugins)

## Getting Started

Ready to build your first plugin? Continue to:

* [Plugin Architecture](/plugins/architecture) - Understand how plugins work
* [Getting Started Guide](/plugins/getting-started) - Create your first plugin
* [Plugin SDK Reference](/plugins/plugin-sdk) - Explore the Plugin API

## Example Plugins

OpenClaw includes 39+ built-in extensions demonstrating plugin patterns:

* **Channels**: `matrix`, `msteams`, `irc`, `telegram`, `slack`, `signal`, `discord`
* **Tools**: `llm-task`, `phone-control`, `voice-call`
* **Services**: `diagnostics-otel`, `memory-lancedb`, `copilot-proxy`
* **Auth**: `google-antigravity-auth`, `minimax-portal-auth`

Browse the [extensions directory](https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/tree/main/extensions) for real-world examples.