Installation

Extensions can be installed at two levels: global (available to all projects) or project-specific (only for the current project). Both locations support hot reload, so changes take effect immediately without restarting AiderDesk.

Installing via CLI (Recommended)

The easiest way to install extensions is using the @aiderdesk/extensions CLI tool. It can install extensions interactively, by ID, or from a URL.

Interactive Installation

Run the CLI without arguments to see all available extensions and select which ones to install:

# Install to project extensions (default)
npx @aiderdesk/extensions install

# Install to global extensions
npx @aiderdesk/extensions install --global

# Install to custom directory
npx @aiderdesk/extensions install --directory /path/to/extensions

Install by Extension ID

Install a specific extension by its ID:

# Install sound-notification extension to project
npx @aiderdesk/extensions install sound-notification

# Install to global extensions
npx @aiderdesk/extensions install sound-notification --global

Install from URL

Install an extension directly from a URL:

# Install from a direct file URL
npx @aiderdesk/extensions install https://raw.githubusercontent.com/hotovo/aider-desk/main/packages/extensions/extensions/sound-notification.ts

# Install from GitHub repository
npx @aiderdesk/extensions install https://github.com/hotovo/aider-desk --global

# Install from third-party repository
npx @aiderdesk/extensions install https://raw.githubusercontent.com/username/my-extension/main/my-extension.ts --global

You can install extensions from any public URL - including your own GitHub repositories, Gists, or any hosted TypeScript file.

List Available Extensions

View all available example extensions:

npx @aiderdesk/extensions list

CLI Options

Option	Description
-g, --global	Install to global directory (~/.aider-desk/extensions)
-d, --directory <path>	Custom installation directory
No option	Install to project directory (./.aider-desk/extensions)

Manual Installation Locations

Global Extensions

Global extensions are available to all AiderDesk projects on your system.

# Create the directory if it doesn't exist
mkdir -p ~/.aider-desk/extensions

# Copy your extension
cp my-extension.ts ~/.aider-desk/extensions/

# For folder-based extensions
cp -r my-complex-extension ~/.aider-desk/extensions/

Path: ~/.aider-desk/extensions/

Project Extensions

Project extensions are only loaded when working with that specific project.

# Create the directory in your project
mkdir -p .aider-desk/extensions

# Copy your extension
cp my-extension.ts .aider-desk/extensions/

# For folder-based extensions
cp -r my-complex-extension .aider-desk/extensions/

Path: ./.aider-desk/extensions/

Extension Priority

When both global and project extensions exist with the same name:

1. Project extensions override global extensions - The project-level version takes precedence
2. Both are loaded - If names differ, both extensions run
3. Execution order - Global extensions execute first, then project extensions

Hot Reload

Extensions are automatically reloaded when files change. There's no need to restart AiderDesk.

How It Works

1. AiderDesk watches both extension directories for changes
2. When a file is added, modified, or deleted, a reload is triggered
3. Changes are debounced by 1 second to prevent rapid reloads
4. The extension is unloaded and reloaded with the new code

What Triggers a Reload

• Creating a new extension file (.ts or .js)
• Modifying an existing extension file
• Deleting an extension file
• Adding/modifying/deleting files in a folder extension

Development Workflow

# 1. Create or edit your extension
vim ~/.aider-desk/extensions/my-extension.ts

# 2. Save the file - extension reloads automatically

# 3. Check AiderDesk logs for any errors
# Logs appear in the AiderDesk console

Installing from Examples

The recommended way to install example extensions is using the CLI:

# Interactive selection
npx @aiderdesk/extensions install

# Install specific extension
npx @aiderdesk/extensions install sound-notification
npx @aiderdesk/extensions install sandbox --global

Alternatively, you can manually download examples from the AiderDesk repository:

# Single file example
curl -o ~/.aider-desk/extensions/sound-notification.ts \
  https://raw.githubusercontent.com/hotovo/aider-desk/main/packages/extensions/extensions/sound-notification.ts

# Folder-based example
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/hotovo/aider-desk temp-aider
cp -r temp-aider/packages/extensions/extensions/sandbox ~/.aider-desk/extensions/
rm -rf temp-aider

# Install dependencies for folder extensions
cd ~/.aider-desk/extensions/sandbox
npm install

TypeScript Setup

For TypeScript support in your extensions, install the @aiderdesk/extensions package:

npm install @aiderdesk/extensions

Then import in your extension:

import type { Extension, ExtensionContext } from '@aiderdesk/extensions';

Verifying Installation

To verify your extension is loaded:

1. Open AiderDesk
2. Check the console/logs for extension load messages
3. Look for your extension's tools, commands, or agents in the UI

Extensions log messages using context.log() which appears in AiderDesk's log output.

Uninstalling

Simply remove the extension file or folder:

# Remove a single-file extension
rm ~/.aider-desk/extensions/my-extension.ts

# Remove a folder extension
rm -rf ~/.aider-desk/extensions/my-complex-extension

The extension will be automatically unloaded.