# Anatomy of a Plugin

> The files and folder structure that make up an Asset Transformer Studio plugin

A plugin is made up of at least two files:

* An [XML file](/asset-transformer-studio/2026.5.0/manual/working-with-asset-transformer-studio/plugins/creating-a-plugin/anatomy-of-a-plugin/xml-file.md): Plugin user interface definition. Without this file, no plugin will be detected by Asset Transformer Studio.
* A [Python file](/asset-transformer-studio/2026.5.0/manual/working-with-asset-transformer-studio/plugins/creating-a-plugin/anatomy-of-a-plugin/python-script.md): script to be executed.

And has to be organized as followed:

![Plugin folder structure](/api/media?file=/asset-transformer-studio/2026.5.0/media/NewItem17.png)

The plugin folder must be placed at one of these locations (see [Plugins](/asset-transformer-studio/2026.5.0/manual/working-with-asset-transformer-studio/plugins/_index.md)):

* `ProgramData` folder (`%programdata%/PixyzStudio/plugins`): place a plugin folder here to make it available for all computer users (see [Creating a Plugin](/asset-transformer-studio/2026.5.0/manual/working-with-asset-transformer-studio/plugins/creating-a-plugin/_index.md)) — **recommended location**
* `AppData` folder (`%appdata%/PixyzStudio/plugins`): place a plugin folder here to restrain plugin access to the concerned user (see [Creating a Plugin](/asset-transformer-studio/2026.5.0/manual/working-with-asset-transformer-studio/plugins/creating-a-plugin/_index.md))

Once loaded in Asset Transformer Studio, it is accessible directly from the [Plugins menu](/asset-transformer-studio/2026.5.0/manual/user-interface/menu-bar/plugins-menu.md):

![Plugin in menu](/api/media?file=/asset-transformer-studio/2026.5.0/media/STUDIO_Menu_Plugin-MyPlugin.jpg)

For more information regarding user interface customization using plugins, see [Plugins and Menu Customization](/asset-transformer-studio/2026.5.0/manual/working-with-asset-transformer-studio/plugins/plugins-shortcuts.md).