Hello,
This release is one of the most exciting we had the opportunity to share on the forum! The first version of our plugin system is now live. It will take Bubble to the next level, and turn it into an ecosystem, where Bubblers not only help each others, but can also start extending the platform.
To start building plugins, you can go to your Plugins Page, and create a new plugin. You’ll also be able to define your identity on the platform (as a plugin builder, name, logo, support email, etc.).
For this first version, we enable users to create some API-based plugins and share them and use them in Bubble apps. The current system is very much similar to the API Connector, but APIs are now packaged as plugins. If you already have some APIs in the API connector you’d like to convert into a plugin, it’ll be quite easy using the right click menu and copy-pasting.
Once you’re done setting up your calls (including authentication via OAuth2, private keys, Basic Auth, etc.) and have defined the few cosmetic aspects of your plugin (Name, icon, categories, etc.), you’ll be able to ‘Publish it’. Try to do your best to have precise descriptions of what the plugin does, as it’ll make search easier for other users.
When you publish a plugin, you’ll have to pick a license. At this stage, we offer two licenses, the open source one (MIT) and a private license, which makes the plugin hidden to other users (and you’ll have to authorize some apps). Commercial plugins will come later as we extend the system to elements and actions.
Once a plugin is published, it will appear at bubble.is/plugins, and will have its own page (for instance this page) and will have have ratings, reviews, usage statistics, etc.
This is the first step of our plugin system. What we want to do next (that’s a big project so we’ll need a little bit of time) is to enable users to build news elements in Javascript, and eventually write new actions. Once we’ll have these three dimensions (API, Elements and Actions), Bubblers will be able to extend the platform in very various ways!
As usual, let us know how this goes as you create new plugins and use them/test them. At this stage, when you publish a plugin, it’s probably a good idea to test it in one of your apps. And thanks to @romanmg, @vlad and @gaurav for their help testing the early versions!
