Install plugins and extensions for Creative Cloud apps

Last updated on 18 September 2024

Learn how to install and manage new plugins or extensions using the Stock & Marketplace tab in your Creative Cloud desktop app. Also, learn how to install ZXP files of your extensions using the Unified Plugin Installer Agent (UPIA) tool and ExMan command-line tool.

Install plugins or extensions using the Creative Cloud desktop app

You can install plugins or extensions (also called add-ons) for Creative Cloud applications from the Creative Cloud desktop app. Adobe Extension Manager is no longer available to install plugins.

For Adobe teams and enterprise Creative Cloud users

You can install plugins using your Business Profile or your Personal Profile. However, note the following:

If you install plugins using your Personal Profile, you can use these plugins when you're signed into your Business Profile.
If you install plugins using your Business Profile, you cannot use these plugins when you're signed into your Personal Profile. You'll need to install the plugins separately using your Personal Profile.

Learn how to manage Adobe Profiles.

Note:

Before you install a plugin or extension, make sure that you have installed the Creative Cloud app to which you are adding it. For example, if you are installing an extension for Photoshop, install Photoshop first.

Download the Creative Cloud desktop app.
Go to the Stock & Marketplace tab, and then select Plugins. (If you have a Creative Cloud for education subscription, go to the Marketplace tab, and then select All plugins in the left sidebar.)

The Plugins window in Stock & Marketplace opens.

Don't see the Stock & Marketplace tab?

Currently, this tab is not available in the Creative Cloud desktop app installed on Windows computers with ARM processors.
Search for your plugin.

A window showing all the plugins that match your search result opens.
When you find a plugin you'd like to install, select Get or Learn more.

The installation process starts.

Note:

Some plugins require you to purchase them. Select Buy for these plugins and follow the onscreen instructions to install them.
Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the install.
After you’ve successfully installed a plugin or extension, if you can’t locate it, go to My Exchange, select the extension, and navigate to the section Where to find it.

You can now check where to find the installed plugins or extensions.

Install extensions using command-line tool

You can install ZXP files of the required extensions using the Unified Plugin Installer Agent (UPIA) tool and the ExMan command-line tool. If you don't have the ZXP file of the extension you are trying to install, navigate to My Exchange, find your extension, and select Installation Help.

Select Installation help — This window showing download instructions for your extension opens.

You can download the extension using the download button in step 3. If you still can’t locate the ZXP file, contact the extension vendor. The vendor’s contact information can be found on their partner profile page on the Adobe Exchange website.

How to install extensions using UPIA tool

The UPIA command-line tool is automatically installed with the Creative Cloud desktop app version 5.5 and later. Learn how to install your extensions using the UPIA command-line tool.

How to install extensions using ExMan command-line tool

Before you begin, ensure that your version of the application supports the extension. Choose your operating system below and follow the steps to install extensions. For more information, see Working from the command-line.

Select Operating System

Download the ExMan command-line tool ZIP file.
Extract the files to a location on your computer. In the example below, the files are extracted to C:\Exmancmd_Win.

You have successfully extracted the files in the ZIP file.
Download the ZXP file of the extension and copy it to the same location.
Type cmd in Windows search. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.

The Command Prompt opens.

Note:

Close the application related to the extension before you proceed with the installation.
In the command prompt, navigate to the folder containing your extracted files. In our example, the location is C:\Exmancmd_Win. To navigate to this location, run the command cd C:\Exmancmd_Win

Commands are case-sensitive. While typing in the command, ensure that you use the correct case.
To install the extension, run the command ExManCmd.exe /install <extension-filename.zxp>

The extension is installed successfully.
Run the command ExManCmd.exe /list all to verify that the extension has been installed.
To locate the installed extension in the Adobe app, follow the instructions given in the extension's user guide.

Download the ZXP file of the extension you are trying to install. Copy the file to the desktop.
Download the ExMan command-line tool DMG file.
Double click the downloaded DMG file and copy the Contents folder to the desktop.

You have successfully copied and pasted your files.
Open Finder and go to Applications -> Utilities -> Terminal. Double-click Terminal.
Type the command xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine and drag the file ExManBridgeTalkCmd from Desktop -> Contents -> MacOS on to the terminal, and then press Return.

Alternatively, type the command xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine Desktop/Contents/MacOS/ExManBridgeTalkCmd and press Return.

Note: Commands are case-sensitive. While typing in the command, ensure that you use the correct case.
Go to Desktop > Contents > MacOS and double-click ExManCmd.

Do you get a warning that ExManCmd can't be opened?

Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy and select Open Anyway. You can now double-click ExManCmd.

Select Open or Cancel.
Go back to Applications > Utilities > Terminal and double-click Terminal.

Enter cd ~/Desktop to navigate to the desktop.

You have successfully navigated to the desktop.
Run the command ./Contents/MacOS/ExManCmd --install <extension-filename.zxp> to install the extension.

The extension installation is complete.

If you run into permission issues, you can run the command using elevated privileges

a. Prefix sudo to the command. For example, in this case, use sudo ./Contents/MacOS/ExManCmd --install <extension-filename.zxp>

b. Enter your password at the prompt and press Return. It's possible that you don't see the cursor moving or the text being entered as you type.
Run the command ./Contents/MacOS/ExManCmd -- list all to verify that the extension has been installed.
To locate the installed extension in the Adobe app, follow the instructions given in the extension's user guide.

Download the ZXP file of the extension you are trying to install. Copy the file to the desktop.
Download the ExMan command-line tool DMG file.
Double click the downloaded DMG file and copy the Contents folder to the desktop.

You have successfully copied and pasted your files.
Open Finder and go to Applications > Utilities > Terminal. Double-click Terminal.
Enter cd ~/Desktop to navigate to the desktop.

Commands are case-sensitive. While typing in the command, ensure that you use the correct case.
Run the command ./Contents/MacOS/ExManCmd --install <extension-filename.zxp> to install the extension.

The extension installation is complete.

If you run into permission issues, you can run the command using elevated privileges

a. Prefix sudo to the command. For example, in this case, use sudo ./Contents/MacOS/ExManCmd --install <extension-filename.zxp>

b. Enter your password at the prompt and press Return. It's possible that you don't see the cursor moving or the text being entered as you type.
Run the command ./Contents/MacOS/ExManCmd -- list all to verify that the extension has been installed.
To locate the installed extension in the Adobe app, follow the instructions given in the extension's user guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find solutions to some common errors that you might encounter when installing plugins or extensions.

Open the Creative Cloud desktop app.
Go to Stock & Marketplace > Plugins. (If you are a Creative Cloud for education subscriber, go to Marketplace > Manage plugins.)

The Plugins window in Stock & Marketplace opens.

Don't see the Stock & Marketplace tab?

Currently, this tab is not available in the Creative Cloud desktop app installed on Windows computers with ARM processors.
Under Plugins in the left sidebar, select Manage plugins.
Select the More actions icon for your plugin or extension, and then select Uninstall.

The process to uninstall the plugin starts.

If you are trying to install your plugin or extension on a Windows computer with an ARM processor, you won't be able to view the Stock & Marketplace tab in the Creative Cloud desktop app.

We are working to ensure plug-in support for Windows computers that use ARM processors. In the meantime, we recommend that you install and run your plug-ins on Windows computers that use Intel processors.

Some plugins or extensions are installed as panels inside the Creative Cloud apps, while some others are installed in the form of zipped files. To know where you can find your installed plugin or extension, go to the Adobe Exchange website and select your plugin or extension. Scroll down to the bottom of the web page and navigate to the section Where to Find it. This section provides the location details of the plugin or extension after it has been installed.

How to find the 'Where to find it' tab — You can now check where to find the installed plugins or extensions.

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