---
title: Plugins
---
FreeSewing uses a modular approach where functionality can be extended with
plugins. Plugins can provide [snippets](/reference/snippets),
[macros](/reference/macros), [store methods](/reference/store-methods), or
use any of the [lifecycle hooks](/reference/hooks).
## Using plugins
Plugins can be either
[added to part configurations](/reference/api/part/config/plugins) in designs or
[added to a pattern instance with Pattern.use()](/reference/api/pattern/use).
To import a plugin for use:
```js
import { plugin } from { @freesewing/plugin-gore }
```
:::tip
For convenience, each plugin is exported as several names exports:
- `plugin`
- `pluginName`
- `namePlugin`
For example, `@freesewing/plugin-gore` has named exports `plugin`, `pluginGore`, and `gorePlugin` that all are the same thing.
:::
## Plugins we maintain
<ReadMore />
## Notes
Refer to [the plugin guide](/guides/plugins) for an in-depth look into
plugins.
