For extension creators

I build extensions

A practical introduction for developers who want to publish extensions through infrastructure they run or choose.

The short version

You publish an extension through an independent registry. A connector makes that registry usable inside a supported system. Your registry stays responsible for releases, packages and access rules.

Why this exists

Building an extension is only part of shipping it. Independent distribution also needs release metadata, package delivery, compatibility information, installation and updates. Rebuilding that path for every extension and every target system wastes effort.

ExtensionMesh separates the source of an extension from the integration with a particular system. That creates a reusable path without requiring one mandatory catalogue or operator.

Your path through ExtensionMesh

01 · Build

Create and package your extension

You keep using the tools, release process and package format required by the system you support.

02 · Publish

Release through a registry

The registry publishes the extension metadata, compatible versions and package location needed by a connector.

03 · Connect

A system-specific connector reads the source

The connector translates registry information into the discovery, installation and update mechanisms of the supported system.

04 · Update

Future releases use the same path

Publish another compatible release and the connector can make that update available without a separate manual delivery workflow.

What remains under your control

  • Where packages and release metadata are hosted.
  • Which extensions and versions your registry publishes.
  • Whether packages are public, private, free or commercially licensed.
  • Authentication, entitlement and availability rules of your registry.
  • The systems and versions your extension supports.

What ExtensionMesh provides

ExtensionMesh defines the roles and integration boundaries needed to connect independent sources with supported systems. It is not intended to host every package, operate every registry or make publication decisions for extension creators.

What works today

The project is validating this model through its first connector, which targets Shopware. The shared registry conventions are still being extracted from that implementation, so a stable system-independent publication specification is not available yet.

What you can validate today

  • Publish a conventional plugin repository through a release workflow that produces a validated ZIP, checksum and registry metadata.
  • Use a seller-operated installation to publish digital-product ZIPs and provide entitled customers with registry access.
  • Connect a public or private GitHub repository and synchronize stable release assets into a seller installation.
  • Run the separate buyer and seller environments locally to exercise the complete publication, purchase, update and revocation flow.
Pre-stable implementation

These workflows are available for evaluation and contribution. Interfaces, packaging rules and setup steps may still change before the first stable release.

Continue with the registry model, read the GitHub publishing notes, or follow implementation progress in Extension-Mesh/shopware.