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Beginner guide

What is a plugin?

A plugin adds a capability to an app you already use. Start by choosing the app and the job, then follow that plugin’s own setup guide.

See the two families Choose a setup guide

The app stays yours

The host app is where you work, such as Claude, a coding agent, or Obsidian. A plugin adds a particular tool or behavior inside a supported host. A marketplace is simply a catalog where that host lists available plugins.

A related skill or reusable prompt may help you do similar work, but its setup and abilities can differ from an installed plugin. Each product guide calls out the form you are using.

Your host app A supported plugin One useful task

Two families, different places to work

Check the supported app before choosing a plugin. The same product name does not imply the same installation or abilities in every host.

In an AI assistant

Writing, coding, and coordinated work

DeSlop, Agentic Guardrails, and Professor Synapse have different supported forms for Claude, Codex, ChatGPT desktop Work, or a reusable prompt. Some features need a coding host with active hooks; an ordinary chat cannot enforce file safeguards.

See AI assistant plugins

In Obsidian

Voice notes and vault context

NeuroVox and Nexus are Obsidian community plugins. They extend the vault app rather than a chat account. Their setup begins in Obsidian’s Community plugins browser and may also need a provider or local runtime.

See Obsidian plugins

Install, enable, then use

Those words describe separate actions. A successful download alone does not mean a plugin is ready in your app.

  1. 1 · Install

    Get the plugin from the host’s catalog or the product’s verified setup path. Follow the product page for the exact app and form.

  2. 2 · Enable and configure

    Turn it on in the host. Review requested permissions and follow the setup instructions on the product page.

  3. 3 · Use one small task

    Try a low-stakes draft, disposable folder, or test note. Check the result yourself before using it in real work.

Choose your product guide

Each guide names supported apps, prerequisites, exact setup steps, a first task, and where to check the current source.

Before you add a plugin

  • Check that your version of the host app supports the product and its form. Some features work only in a coding host or on desktop.
  • Review what the plugin can access. A subscription, plugin package, and outside AI provider may have separate costs or data terms.
  • Begin with material you can safely test. Verify the first result against your draft, file, recording, or notes.

For host-level guidance, see Claude plugins, ChatGPT desktop plugins, and Obsidian community plugins. Product-specific steps are on the five guides above.

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