Plugins
Also written: Plugin extensions, Extensions, Plugin architecture, Plug-ins, Open Agent Plugin standard, Open Agent Plugins
Add-ons that give AI models new abilities, like searching the web or managing workspaces.
Plugins are like apps for AI models. They let the AI do things it couldn't do on its own, such as browsing the internet, accessing specific databases, or interacting with other software.
Think of it like giving your AI assistant a toolbox. Instead of just being able to chat, it can now use tools to find information, book appointments, or even help write code. For example, an AI might use a "web browsing" plugin to find the latest news or a "calendar" plugin to check your schedule.
Plugins are external software components or tools that extend the capabilities of large language models (LLMs) or AI assistants. They enable the LLM to interact with external systems, access real-time information, or perform specific actions beyond its core text generation abilities. This is typically achieved through defined APIs that the LLM can call, often with the LLM determining which plugin to use and what parameters to pass based on the user's prompt.
Frontier AI labs are increasingly integrating third-party tools and custom extensions into their models. This allows AI agents to perform a wider range of tasks, from interacting with external data sources to automating complex workflows within conversations. The goal is to make AI more proactive, collaborative, and capable of acting like a personal assistant or a specialized tool.
- Build more personal sites with CodexOpenAI · OpenAI on YouTube ·
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- Introducing dots, always-on agents built to handle everything.OpenAI · OpenAI on YouTube ·
- OpenAI expands ChatGPT’s plugins with app-like interfaces and automationsOpenAI · TechCrunch AI ·
- Claude Code’s Next Era — Thariq Shihipar, AnthropicAnthropic · Latent Space ·
- GitHub Copilot app for Beginners: How to build custom workflows with canvasesMicrosoft · GitHub Blog: Copilot ·
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- The workflow is the product: Copilot Cowork plugins change what AI can do for businessesMicrosoft · Microsoft 365 Copilot Blog ·
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- Anthropic Claude
- Anthropic offers plugins as third-party tools or extensions that add new features or functionalities to Claude.
- Microsoft Copilot
- Microsoft Copilot uses specialized tools and extensions to speed up complex tasks, like legal document work.
- OpenAI ChatGPT
- OpenAI allows users to build custom tools, called plugins, that work directly inside ChatGPT conversations, effectively turning ChatGPT into an app store.
- xAI Grok
- xAI Grok Bot lets teams build shared bots, suggesting a plugin architecture that allows for expanded functionality and collaboration.
- Skills
- Skills are often a broader term for AI capabilities, which may or may no
- Connectors
- Connectors are specific types of plugins designed to link the AI to
- Extensions
- Extensions are add-ons for software, and while plugins can be consid
The concept of plugins has existed in software for decades, but its application to LLMs gained significant traction with OpenAI's introduction of plugins for ChatGPT in early 2023, allowing models to interact with external tools and services. Source ↗
Many AI assistants offer web browsing capabilities. Try asking your AI assistant to find the current weather in a specific city or to summarize a recent news article. This demonstrates how a "web browsing" plugin allows the AI to access and process real-time information from the internet.
The Playbook: reusable how-tos, prompts, configs and tips pulled out of the news.
- HeuristicAutomate recurring admin checks with AIUse AI plugins to automate routine checks and high-volume requests. · 10 min
- HeuristicConsolidate admin tasks in one conversationUse AI plugins to manage workspace tasks without switching tools. · 5 min
- Setting tipPass API keys to embedding models per callUse the --key argument with llm embed and llm embed-multi for per-call API keys. · 2 min
- ChecklistEnable Salesforce plugin in ClaudeSteps to enable the Salesforce plugin for your organization and link your personal Salesforce account. · 10 min
- ChecklistGrok Bot Team Bot Creation ChecklistSteps to build, publish, and use a Grok Bot Team Bot. · 20 min
Questions people ask
- How do plugins make AI smarter?
- Plugins don't make the core AI model itself smarter, but they give it access to tools and information it wouldn't otherwise have, allowing it to perform a wider range of tasks.
- Are plugins safe to use?
- Plugin safety depends on the developer and the permissions granted. Reputable platforms vet plugins, but users should still be cautious about what information they allow plugins to access.
First seen on Subvolts Jun 2, 2026. Updated Oct 16, 2026. Written by an AI model from the items above and reviewed against them weekly; report an error.