# Plugins Menu

> Asset Transformer Studio Plugins menu reference

![Plugins Menu](/api/media?file=/asset-transformer-studio/2026.5.0/media/STUDIO_Menu_Plugins.jpg)

The **Plugins** menu allows you to install and run custom plugins (based on Python scripts) in Asset Transformer Studio.

| Menu option                                                                                                                             | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [**Create a New Plugin**](/asset-transformer-studio/2026.5.0/manual/working-with-asset-transformer-studio/plugins/creating-a-plugin.md) | Creates a new plugin, made of a Python script (including a main function that needs to be edited according to the user's data preparation scenario), and an XML file                                                                                                                |
| [**Manage Plugins**](/asset-transformer-studio/2026.5.0/manual/user-interface/menu-bar/plugins-menu/manage-plugins.md)                  | Opens the `Manage Plugins` window, used to manage all the plugins installed on the computer                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| **Reload Plugins**                                                                                                                      | Reloads all plugins to save potential changes. See below.                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
| [**Installed Plugins**](/asset-transformer-studio/2026.5.0/manual/working-with-asset-transformer-studio/plugins/managing-plugins.md)    | The last section of the menu lists all the plugins installed on the PC that were found and loaded by Asset Transformer Studio.**NOTE**: By default, one plugin is installed with Asset Transformer Studio, and is located in the `Locked Plugins` category, as it cannot be edited. |

Refer to the following topics to learn more about plugins in Asset Transformer Studio:

* [Plugins in Asset Transformer Studio](/asset-transformer-studio/2026.5.0/manual/working-with-asset-transformer-studio/plugins.md)

## Reloading a plugin

A modified plugin needs to be reloaded in Asset Transformer Studio in order to be fully updated and run.

> **Warning:**
>
> * When using the `Reload Plugins` action, all plugins installed in the computer are reloaded, which can take some time and freeze the interface if a lot of plugins are installed.
> * Files composing a plugin can be edited outside of Asset Transformer Studio (but their [locations](/asset-transformer-studio/2026.5.0/manual/working-with-asset-transformer-studio/plugins.md#plugins-folder-locations) need to remain the same). If a file was edited outside Asset Transformer Studio, use the `Reload Plugins` action to update the plugin in the current session.
> * When Asset Transformer Studio is launched, all plugins are reloaded at the software initialization stage.
> * When plugins are reloaded, the [Output](/asset-transformer-studio/2026.5.0/manual/user-interface/window/output.md) panel logs the reloading status for each plugin installed, and potential errors detected in a plugin.