name: kirby-plugin-development description: Builds or extends Kirby plugins using hooks, extensions, blocks, KirbyTags, and shared templates/controllers. Use when creating reusable features or integrating Panel customizations.

Kirby Plugin Development

KB entry points

• kirby://kb/scenarios/04-share-templates-controllers-via-plugin
• kirby://kb/scenarios/05-kirbytext-kirbytags-hooks
• kirby://kb/scenarios/15-custom-blocks-nested-blocks
• kirby://kb/scenarios/17-extend-kirbytags
• kirby://kb/scenarios/59-monolithic-plugin-setup
• kirby://kb/scenarios/60-plugin-workflow-local-testing

Required inputs

• Plugin id (vendor/name) and scope.
• Extension points (hooks/fields/tags/blocks/sections).
• Distribution plan (project-only or composer package).

Minimal plugin skeleton

Kirby::plugin('vendor/name', [
  'hooks' => [],
  'blueprints' => [],
  'snippets' => [],
]);

Local testing

• Use the local workflow guide to test without publishing.
• Render affected pages and verify plugin registration.

Common pitfalls

• Using inconsistent plugin ids or folder names.
• Registering hooks that assume Panel or API is always enabled.

Workflow

1. Define the plugin id (vendor/name), feature scope, and whether it must be reusable across projects.
2. Call kirby:kirby_init and read kirby://roots to locate plugin roots.
3. Inspect existing plugins to avoid duplication: kirby:kirby_plugins_index.
4. Use extension and hook references:
   • kirby://extensions and kirby://extension/{name}
   • kirby://hooks and kirby://hook/{name}
5. Search the KB with kirby:kirby_search (examples: "kirbytext hooks", "extend kirbytags", "custom blocks", "share templates via plugin", "monolithic plugin setup").
6. Implement the plugin with a minimal index.php registration, then add blueprints/snippets/assets as needed.
7. Verify by rendering affected pages with kirby:kirby_render_page and confirming the plugin loads without errors.