Plugin

A plugin is a dynamically linked library that can be added to Total Commander in order to extend or improve Total Commander's functionality. Thus a plugin can be considered an addon. Most plugins are third party software, though Christian Ghisler did create several plugins himself.

Plugin types

Total Commander currently supports four plugin types:

• Packer plugins (.wcx files) - Packer plugins are used to pack/unpack/modify specific file types, usually archive formats.
• File system plugins (.wfx files) - File system plugins are used via the Network Neighborhood. They usually access some remote system or a certain part of your PC which cannot be accessed via drive letters.
• Lister plugins (.wlx files) - Lister plugins display special file types in the built-in lister as well as in the quick view panel (Ctrl+Q).
• Content plugins (.wdx files) - Content plugins have several purposes: searching for specific file properties and contents, displaying of these properties in file lists, and using them in the multi-rename tool to add them to the file name.

Where to find plugins?

Several lists of plugins can be found in this wiki:

• List of packer plugins
• Unreleased plug-ins - List of unreleased plugins which are currently neither listed on totalcmd.net nor released officially on ghisler.com.

Links to other plugin resources are listed at:

• Community_Portal#Plugin_and_addon_centers.

Plugin installation

Since Total Commander version 6.5 an integrated installer for plugins is available. Whenever you want to install a plugin now, all to do is: Open the downloaded archive with a doubleclick. The setup will start automatically. An installation "by hand" is still possible. The programs in the next chapter can be very usefull to manage all your plugins.

Plugin management

These tools were created to make the plugin installation and management easier:

• TC Plugins Manager
• Vic Plugin Manager

You might need a tool for managing your plugins when:

• You want to install plugins by double-clicking plugin files
• You want to install zipped plugins pack (archive that contains several plugins)
• You want to install a bunch of plugins located in a folder and all its subfolders
• You want to install two different plugins for the same extension
• You want to temporary disable some plugins
• You want to change the loading order of Packer plugins

Information for developers

See Developer's corner.

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