/writing-opencode-plugins

Writing OpenCode Plugins

Use this skill to implement production-quality OpenCode plugins. Treat the repository's exported types and runtime as authoritative because plugin APIs are evolving and public docs may lag.

Start Here

1. Decide which runtime owns the feature.
2. Read the relevant public type before writing code.
3. Find one focused in-repository example using the same API.
4. Implement the smallest target-specific module.
5. Test loading, behavior, failure, and cleanup in the owning package.

Never export server and tui from the same module. Do not use server event hooks as a substitute for interactive TUI APIs.

Verify The Current Contract

Read these files before implementing unfamiliar behavior:

• packages/plugin/src/index.ts: authoritative server plugin and hook types.
• packages/plugin/src/tool.ts: custom tool schema, context, permission, metadata, attachments, and result types.
• packages/plugin/src/tui.ts: authoritative TUI API and module types.
• packages/opencode/specs/tui-plugins.md: TUI loading, packaging, lifecycle, and API semantics.
• packages/opencode/src/plugin/shared.ts: target validation, IDs, and entrypoint resolution.
• packages/opencode/src/plugin/loader.ts: install, compatibility, and import behavior.

If these disagree with examples or website docs, follow exported types and runtime behavior, then update stale documentation when appropriate.

Choose A Module Shape

Prefer the explicit module object for new server plugins:

import type { Plugin, PluginModule } from '@opencode-ai/plugin';

const server: Plugin = async ({ client, directory }, options) => ({
	dispose: async () => {},
});

export default {
	id: 'acme.example',
	server,
} satisfies PluginModule & { id: string };

Legacy server-only local plugins may export a plugin function directly. In a legacy module every distinct named export is interpreted as a plugin, so do not export unrelated constants. Prefer a default module object for new code.

TUI plugins always use a default module object:

/** @jsxImportSource @opentui/solid */
import type { TuiPlugin, TuiPluginModule } from '@opencode-ai/plugin/tui';

const tui: TuiPlugin = async (api) => {
	api.ui.toast({ message: 'Plugin loaded' });
};

export default {
	id: 'acme.example-tui',
	tui,
} satisfies TuiPluginModule & { id: string };

File plugins require a stable, non-empty id. npm plugins may derive the ID from the package name, but an explicit namespaced ID makes state, diagnostics, and collision handling clearer.

Engineering Rules

• Use TypeScript and satisfies against the public plugin type.
• Parse and validate options; they arrive as unvalidated Record<string, unknown>.
• Namespace plugin IDs, command IDs, route names, modes, slot names, and shared KV keys.
• Use the directory supplied by the plugin or tool context, not process.cwd().
• Honor AbortSignal for long-running or cancellable work.
• Use client.app.log() for structured server logging instead of console.log.
• Request permission before sensitive or consequential custom-tool work.
• Keep notifications privacy-safe; do not expose prompts, secrets, paths, commands, or raw errors.
• Register only needed hooks and UI resources. Avoid broad event subscriptions when a specific hook exists.
• Make cleanup bounded, idempotent, and safe after partial initialization.
• Do not depend on undocumented load order to resolve ownership conflicts.

Testing Workflow

Server plugin tests belong under packages/opencode/test/plugin/ or the closest owning subsystem. TUI runtime tests belong under packages/opencode/test/cli/tui/; component-level TUI tests may belong in packages/tui.

Test at least:

• valid loading and target/entrypoint selection;
• configured options and malformed options;
• the observable behavior, not a duplicate of implementation logic;
• abort, failure, and partial-initialization behavior;
• cleanup or disposal;
• duplicate IDs or registrations when relevant;
• local file and npm packaging behavior when publishing.

Run tests from the package directory, never the repository root. Use bun typecheck from the owning package for type checking.

Review Checklist

• The feature is in the correct server or TUI runtime.
• Module shape and import path match the target.
• Server and TUI entrypoints are separate.
• IDs and persistent keys are stable and namespaced.
• Options and external data are validated.
• Hook output mutation preserves other plugins' changes.
• Tools use context directory, permission, metadata, and abort correctly.
• TUI keybindings are mode-gated unless intentionally global.
• TUI resources and custom side effects are disposed.
• Package exports, engines.opencode, and config target are correct.
• Tests cover behavior and lifecycle.

References

• Server plugins: hooks, custom tools, lifecycle, and examples.
• TUI plugins: keymaps, routes, dialogs, slots, state, and lifecycle.
• Packaging and testing: config, package exports, compatibility, and test locations.