---
id: plugincode
version: "32.0.0"
license: Apache-2.0
license_treatment: permissive
maintenance: dormant
---

# plugincode — plugincode is a library that provides plugin functionality for ScanCode toolkit.

License: permissive · Maintenance: dormant · Downloads: 126.3K/mo

## What it is and what it does

Plugincode is a plugin framework library used primarily by ScanCode toolkit and related projects. It abstracts the mechanics of discovering, registering, and loading plugins dynamically at runtime, with native support for Click-based command-line plugins. The package depends on click for CLI integration, commoncode for shared utilities, and pluggy for the underlying plugin hook system.

The library is stable (marked Production/Stable) but dormant—no active development since mid-2024. It is suitable for applications that need a straightforward plugin architecture, particularly those already using Click for CLI commands. The low install friction and permissive Apache-2.0 license make it accessible, but the lack of recent maintenance means you should evaluate whether it meets your needs without expecting rapid updates or community support.

Use it for:

- Build a CLI tool with pluggable commands by integrating plugincode with Click for dynamic command registration.
- Create a ScanCode-like analysis framework where third parties can contribute analysis plugins without modifying core code.
- Develop an application that loads and executes user-provided plugins at startup or runtime without hardcoding plugin paths.
- Extend an existing Python application with a plugin system for community-contributed features or vendor integrations.

## Worth the install?

AI-flagged interpretation of the facts above — verify before relying.

Plugincode provides a plugin system for Python applications, allowing you to register and load plugins dynamically, with built-in support for Click command-line plugins.

Yes, if you need a straightforward plugin system for a Python application and are comfortable with dormant maintenance. The low install friction, permissive license, and stable API make it a reasonable choice for projects that can tolerate no active development. If you require active maintenance, frequent updates, or extensive documentation, consider alternatives or evaluate whether plugincode's current state meets your long-term needs.

## Install

pip install plugincode
uv add plugincode
poetry add plugincode

## Installing plugincode

Before you install: Low install friction with three lightweight dependencies (click, commoncode, pluggy). The package is dormant—last release was 2023-05-02 and no commits since 2024-08-30—so expect no active maintenance or rapid bug fixes.

License in practice: Apache-2.0 is permissive; you can use, modify, and distribute plugincode freely in commercial and open-source projects with minimal restrictions.

Quickstart:

pip install plugincode

import plugincode
# Use plugincode's plugin registration and discovery mechanisms
# to load plugins dynamically in your application

Requires Python 3.7 or later.

Verify before relying:

- How plugin discovery and registration actually work in practice—the fact sheet does not detail the API or workflow.
- Whether the package is suitable for new projects or primarily maintained for ScanCode toolkit's existing use.
- Performance characteristics when loading many plugins or in high-throughput scenarios.

## Package facts

- License: Apache-2.0 (permissive)
- Python support: supports_current
- Install friction: low
- Maintenance: dormant
- Downloads: 126.3K/month (top 15,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

python plugin system, dynamic plugin loading, click plugin framework, pluggable architecture, plugin registry, extensible application framework, plugin discovery, plugin-system, extensibility, cli-framework

[View on SkillFed](https://skillfed.io/packages/plugincode) · [View on PyPI](https://pypi.org/project/plugincode/)