---
title: "Plugins"
description: "Extend the agent by installing plugins."
lang: en
---

Plugins give Bi new capabilities through external programs, so it can handle more kinds of work.

## Installing a plugin

A plugin is a directory. Put it in `.bi/plugins` next to the application and restart; it loads on startup. The directory is rescanned on every launch, so restart after updating a plugin.

## Using a plugin

Once loaded, its capabilities are available to the agent like built-in ones and are invoked on demand. Invocation still asks for your approval.

## Enable per project

In the project settings dialog you can uncheck plugins you do not want in that project. This affects the current project only; global configuration is unchanged. See [Workspace](/docs/using-bi/workspace).

## Security

A plugin is a program running on your machine — the same trust as running it yourself. Before installing a third-party plugin, check its source and behaviour.

## If loading fails

A plugin that fails to load is skipped and logged. Normal conversations are unaffected.

## Related

- [Skills](/docs/using-bi/skills)
- [Operations that need approval](/docs/configuration/permissions)