# Plugins

IDA’s capabilities can be significantly extended through programmable plugins. These plugins can automate routine tasks, for example, enhance the analysis of hostile code or add a specific functionality to our disassembler.

Plugins can be developed using:

* C++ using the IDA SDK, or
* Python via the IDAPython API.

Key capabilities:

* **Integration with hotkeys**: plugins can be linked to specific hotkeys or menu items for quick access
* **Access to the IDB**: they have full access to the IDA database, allowing them to examine or modify the program or use Input/Output functions.

## Where to find plugins

### Development resources

* **Examples included with IDA C++ SDK**: Our SDK contains **+60 sample plugins**, including decompiler plugins (you can find them all inside the SDK directory, in the `plugins` folder), as well as source code to processor modules, loaders, and header files. You can download the latest version of IDA SDK from Download Center in [My Hex-Rays portal](https://my.hex-rays.com/dashboard/download-center/downloads), under SDK and Utilities.

### Built-in plugins

* **Plugins shipped with your IDA instance**: Explore the `plugins` directory in your IDA installation folder for plugins shipped out-of-the-box. You can run them through **Edit -> Plugins** submenu or via hotkeys.
  * **Explore plugin docs**: Learn more about built-in plugins through [dedicated tutorials](plugins/plugins-shipped-with-ida)

### Community plugins

* **Hex-Rays plugins repository**: To access a vast collection of community-developed plugins, visit our [plugins repository](https://plugins.hex-rays.com/). Here, you can explore additional plugins you may want to install, submit your own, and even participate in our annual plugin contest.

## Creating your own plugins

Do you want to create custom plugins and wonder where to start? Check our tutorials based on the language of your choice:

<table data-card-size="large" data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Create plugins with C++ SDK</strong></td><td></td><td></td><td><a href="../developer-guide/c++-sdk/how-to-create-a-plugin">how-to-create-a-plugin</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Create plugins with IDAPython</strong></td><td></td><td></td><td><a href="../developer-guide/idapython/how-to-create-a-plugin">how-to-create-a-plugin</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

## What's next?

### Share your plugin with Hex-Rays community

Submit your plugin through [My Hex-Rays portal](https://my.hex-rays.com/dashboard/my-plugins) to have it listed in our official [plugins repository](https://plugins.hex-rays.com/). See our [submission guidelines](plugins/plugin-submission-guide) for the details.
