Table of contents

Understanding Magento extensionsExtensions with ComposerManually installing a extensionImportant tipsTroubleshooting issuesFAQsHow to get started

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Magento Guide → Extensions → How to Install

How to install Magento extensions

Magento is built to be flexible, but that flexibility comes from the ability to extend it. Magento extensions let you customize how your store works, looks, and performs. Whether you’re adding a new payment gateway, SEO tool, or marketing feature, installing an extension correctly is key to keeping your store stable and secure.

Let’s walk through how to install Magento extensions using both Composer and manual upload, along with tips for safe setup, troubleshooting, and choosing the right method.

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Understanding Magento extensions

A Magento extension is a bundled piece of code that adds specific features to your Magento store. Think of it like a plugin or app—it might add new shipping methods, product filters, reward systems, or admin tools. Extensions are essential to customizing Magento to meet your business needs.

You can get extensions from:

Adobe Commerce Marketplace: The official source of verified Magento 2 extensions.
Third-party developers: Trusted vendors like Amasty, Mageplaza, and Mirasvit offer a wide range of commercial extensions.
Custom developers: You can also hire developers or agencies to build proprietary extensions tailored to your store.

All Magento 2 extensions follow a specific folder and file structure that Magento recognizes when it’s recompiled. Some extensions are available through Composer (Magento’s package manager), while others are delivered as ZIP files and need to be manually uploaded.

Installing Magento extensions with Composer

Composer is the preferred method for installing Magento extensions. It keeps your codebase clean, manages dependencies automatically, and allows easy updates.

Here’s how to install a Magento extension with Composer step-by-step.

1. Get the extension’s Composer name

If you’re using the Adobe Commerce Marketplace, go to the extension’s listing and scroll down to the “Technical Details” section. There, you’ll find the Composer package name and version number.

If you bought the extension from a third-party vendor, check their documentation or contact support to get the Composer package name.

2. Authenticate with access keys (Marketplace extensions)

If your extension comes from the Marketplace, you’ll need to provide Adobe access keys to install it.

Go to your Marketplace account at account.magento.com.
Under “Access Keys”, create or copy a public/private key pair. In your terminal, run:
composer config –global http-basic.repo.magento.com <public_key> <private_key>

This authenticates your local machine with the Magento Marketplace so Composer can download the extension.

3. Require the package

Open a terminal and navigate to your Magento root directory. Run:

composer require vendor/module-name

Replace vendor/module-name with the exact Composer name from the Marketplace or vendor documentation.

4. Register the extension and upgrade Magento

After the package installs, run the following commands to register the module and update Magento’s database:

php bin/magento setup:upgrade
php bin/magento setup:di:compile

setup:upgrade tells Magento to check for new modules and apply any necessary database changes.
setup:di:compile generates the Magento dependency injection files needed for your store to function.

5. Deploy static content

If the extension includes frontend elements (like JavaScript, CSS, or templates), run:

php bin/magento setup:static-content:deploy -f

This publishes the extension’s static files so they can appear properly on your storefront.

6. Clear the cache

After any installation, clear Magento’s caches to avoid conflicts:

php bin/magento cache:clean
php bin/magento cache:flush

This ensures new content and configurations are properly loaded.

7. Reindex if needed

Some extensions require Magento to reindex its data (like product categories or pricing). Run:

php bin/magento indexer:reindex

If you’re not sure whether your extension requires this, run it anyway—it won’t hurt.

Manually installing a Magento extension

If your extension isn’t available via Composer—or if the vendor only offers a ZIP file—you can install it manually.

This method requires uploading files directly to your server and configuring Magento afterward.

1. Download and extract the extension

After downloading the ZIP file, unzip it on your local computer.

You should see a folder with the following structure:

Vendor/
└── ModuleName/
    ├── etc/
    ├── Model/
    └── registration.php

If the files are not nested in a Vendor/ModuleName folder, create that structure yourself. Magento won’t recognize the extension otherwise.

2. Upload to the correct location

Using an FTP client or terminal, upload the extension files to your Magento installation under:

app/code/Vendor/ModuleName

If the app/code directory doesn’t exist, create it.

3. Set proper file permissions

Make sure your web server can read the new files. Run:

find . -type d -exec chmod 755 {} \;
find . -type f -exec chmod 644 {} \;

This sets the appropriate permissions for directories (755) and files (644).

4. Register the extension and upgrade Magento

Run the same commands as with Composer:

php bin/magento setup:upgrade
php bin/magento setup:di:compile

Magento will detect the new extension and apply any updates it needs.

5. Deploy static content

Run: php bin/magento setup:static-content:deploy -f

This ensures any frontend assets included with the extension appear properly.

6. Clear cache and reindex

Finish up by cleaning the cache:

php bin/magento cache:clean
php bin/magento cache:flush

And, if necessary, reindex:

php bin/magento indexer:reindex

Important tips for successful installation

Installing extensions can affect core files and frontend design, so it’s best to follow safe practices:

Back up your store before installing anything—files and database both.
Use a staging environment to test the extension before applying it to your live store.
Keep your Magento version updated, and check extension compatibility before downloading.
Enable maintenance mode while installing to prevent frontend issues:
php bin/magento maintenance:enable
Disable maintenance mode when you’re done:
php bin/magento maintenance:disable
Check the admin panel after installation. Go to Stores > Configuration > Advanced > Advanced and make sure the module is enabled.

Troubleshooting common issues

Magento installation problems usually fall into a few categories. Here’s how to fix the most common ones.

Composer errors (“Could not find package”): Double-check the package name and make sure your access keys are correct.
Blank admin panel or frontend: Usually caused by missing static content or DI compilation. Run the full set of commands: setup:upgrade, setup:di:compile, and setup:static-content:deploy.
Module not appearing in admin: Check that files were uploaded to app/code/Vendor/ModuleName, and that the folder structure matches the module’s namespace.
500 Internal Server Error: Look at the logs in var/log/ and var/report/ for clues—common causes include PHP version mismatches or permission errors.
The extension shows as “disabled”: Go to the admin panel or run:
php bin/magento module:enable Vendor_ModuleName
php bin/magento setup:upgrade

Magento extension FAQs

A Magento extension is a package of files that adds new functionality to your store. This could include frontend features, backend tools, shipping rules, payment options, or performance enhancements.

In Magento, a “plugin” is a specific type of extension used to override or modify the behavior of existing methods. While the terms “extension” and “plugin” are sometimes used interchangeably, plugins are actually a smaller part of the larger extension ecosystem.

Magento 1 reached end of life in 2020, but Magento 2 is still fully supported. Adobe Commerce (the paid, enterprise version of Magento) receives regular updates, and Magento Open Source continues to be maintained by Adobe and the community.

You can install an extension using Composer (by running composer require vendor/module-name) or by manually uploading it to the app/code directory. After uploading, always run php bin/magento setup:upgrade and clear the cache.

Next steps for installing Magento extensions

Installing extensions is how Magento grows with your business. Whether you’re using Composer for a quick install or uploading manually for more control, following the right steps ensures your store stays stable and fast.

If you’re just starting out, use Composer whenever possible—it’s cleaner and easier to manage in the long run.

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