---
title: Plugins
description: Datadog, the leading service for cloud-scale monitoring.
breadcrumbs: Docs > Internal Developer Portal > Plugins
---

# Plugins

{% callout %}
# Important note for users on the following Datadog sites: app.ddog-gov.com

{% alert level="danger" %}
This product is not supported for your selected [Datadog site](https://docs.datadoghq.com/getting_started/site.md). ().
{% /alert %}

{% /callout %}

{% callout %}
##### Join the Preview for Plugins!



[Request Access](https://www.datadoghq.com/product-preview/plugins/)
{% /callout %}

## Overview{% #overview %}

Plugins let developers build, deploy, and manage fully custom applications natively within Datadog using local development workflows and the Datadog CLI.

Plugins introduce a local, code-first development model within Datadog, building on [App Builder](https://docs.datadoghq.com/actions/app_builder.md) concepts to support platform engineers and developers who prefer working with code instead of visual editors.

A plugin combines a React-based frontend, serverless backend functions, and Datadog-managed infrastructure, including Datastore, secret management, and telemetry.

## Developer workflow{% #developer-workflow %}

Develop and deploy plugins directly from your local environment using the Datadog CLI.

### 1. Install the CLI

```bash
npm install -g @Datadog/dd-app-cli
```

### 2. Scaffold a plugin

```bash
dd-app create --agent=claude my-plugin
```

This command generates the following project structure:

```text
/frontend   → React components
/backend    → Serverless functions (Node.js handlers)
package.json
AGENT.md    → AI agent guidance and structure
config.json → Plugin metadata and UUID
```

### 3. Develop locally

```bash
dd-app dev
```

Output:

```text
➜ Local: http://localhost:3000/
```

This command starts a local development server with live preview. Frontend updates hot-reload automatically, and backend logic runs locally for fast iteration.

### 4. Deploy to Datadog

```bash
dd-app deploy
```

Authenticate through your browser and publish your plugin:

```text
https://app.datadoghq.com/app-builder/apps/65afc2dc-60de-455b-8d32-64950504fbec
```

Plugins are automatically instrumented with telemetry and can appear anywhere Datadog supports App Builder apps, such as dashboards, notebooks, and the Internal Developer Portal.

## Key features{% #key-features %}

- **End-to-end development flow**: Build multi-folder React apps locally using CLI commands, AI agents, and Datadog SDKs.
- **Full-stack capabilities**: Combine frontend (React) and backend (serverless) logic using Datadog Actions, including private actions and Lambda-style handlers.
- **Datadog integrations**: Use Datastore, Connections, and RBAC for secure and seamless data and secret management.
- **Preview and publish**: Use `dd-app preview` for local testing and `dd-app publish` for one-click deployment to Datadog.
- **AI assistance**: AI agents in `AGENT.md` provide inline code generation, scaffolding, and refactoring guidance.
- **Collaboration and GitOps**: Integrate with GitHub Sync for pull requests, code reviews, and automated deployments.
- **Security and observability**: All plugins include built-in telemetry, error monitoring, and code security scanning.
- **Platform embedding**: Embed plugins across Datadog surfaces, such as entity pages, self-service actions, homepages, or custom pages.
- **Consistent UI**: Use **Druids**, Datadog's UI component library, to ensure a unified design and experience.

## Permissions{% #permissions %}

Plugins inherit the [App Builder permissions](https://docs.datadoghq.com/actions/app_builder/access_and_auth.md#app-permissions) model:

- Plugins execute as the **creator**, requiring **resolve** permissions on any connections used.
- App-level permissions control who can deploy or modify a plugin.
- Connectionless Datadog actions run with the app creator's credentials.

## Architecture{% #architecture %}

The plugin framework provides an opinionated scaffold optimized for the Datadog ecosystem.

### Frontend{% #frontend %}

- Built with React and Druids components.
- Automatically instrumented with RUM and error tracking.

### Backend{% #backend %}

- Lightweight serverless functions triggered by Datadog Actions.
- Written in TypeScript using the `@Datadog/actions` SDK.

```typescript
// backend/getRecentPRs.ts
import * as actions from '@Datadog/actions';
import * as CONNECTIONS from './connections';

export async function getRecentPRs() {
  const results = await actions.github.listPullRequests({
    connectionId: CONNECTIONS.githubConnectionId,
  });
  return results.filter();
}
```

### Frontend usage{% #frontend-usage %}

```tsx
// frontend/Root.tsx
import { useBackendQuery } from '@Datadog/react-action-query';

export default function Root() {
  const results = useBackendQuery('getRecentPRs');
  if (results.isLoading) return 'Loading...';
  return <Table data={results.data} />;
}
```

## Further reading{% #further-reading %}

- [Learn about the Software Catalog](https://docs.datadoghq.com/internal_developer_portal/software_catalog.md)
- [Explore available Datadog Actions](https://docs.datadoghq.com/actions/actions_catalog.md)