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Plugins

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A plugin adds checks and commands to qrate. Install a plugin from the official catalog, review an unlisted public GitHub release, or add a local plugin folder.

To write a plugin, see Develop plugins.

Install a plugin

Section titled “Install a plugin”

Open Plugins ▸ Discover Plugins… to browse qrate’s signed official catalog. qrate checks the catalog signature and package hash before it installs a plugin. An official listing means that qrate maintainers reviewed the published metadata and exact package bytes. It does not mean that third-party code is safe.

Use Plugins ▸ Install Plugin from Link… for an unlisted public GitHub repository or release. qrate downloads the release ZIP, checks its static package manifest, and shows its source, permissions, size, and SHA-256 before it asks for confirmation.

New package installs are enabled. Optional permissions, such as network access, stay off until you grant them under Settings ▸ Plugins. The same page shows whether qrate manages the package and can safely remove it.

For an offline installation, open Plugins ▸ Plugins Folder and copy a plugin folder there. Manual plugins are unmanaged. qrate does not update or remove them.

The official plugin registry

Section titled “The official plugin registry”

The plugin catalog shows releases from the official plugin registry. qrate reads the signed catalog when you open Discover Plugins. The registry stores the release metadata, package hash, and signature. It does not host a plugin’s source code.

An official listing means that qrate maintainers reviewed the listed release metadata and package hash. It does not make third-party code safe. Review the source and requested permissions before you install a plugin.

To add your own plugin to the registry, read Develop plugins.

What a plugin can do

Section titled “What a plugin can do”
  • Check a column. A plugin reports bad column values in the Problems panel and grid markers.
  • Add right-click entries. A plugin adds commands to a cell, row, or column header menu.
  • Add a bar item. A plugin adds text and commands to the status bar or title bar.
  • Suggest values. A plugin offers completions while you edit a cell.
  • Map columns onto a list. A plugin can offer a list picker in Settings and column menus.
  • Declare settings. A plugin declares settings. qrate renders and stores their values.

A plugin can use the network only after you grant that permission. The runtime has no io, os, or package library.

See also

Section titled “See also”