# Plugins: what they are, and how one connects

A plugin is a separate program that talks to NeuralVault over a local socket with narrow, revocable permissions. Personal edition or above.

*https://perpetualtechnologies.co.uk/support/plugins-in-this-build — last checked 2026-09-07*

## Steps

1. Open Settings, then AI & extensions, then Plugins. On Free the card is not shown at all, because the plugin API is a Personal capability rather than a Free one.
2. A plugin is a program you run yourself, not something installed from a store. It connects to NeuralVault over a local socket and asks for the narrow set of capabilities it needs.
3. The screen lists every plugin currently connected, which capabilities each one was actually granted, and how long ago it registered.
4. Revoke removes a plugin’s grant, and it takes effect immediately.

## How to tell it worked

A connected plugin appears in the list with its granted capabilities beside it. With none connected the card says so, and points at the bundled example plugin and the protocol document.

## If it does not work

**There is no Plugins card in Settings at all.**

It is hidden rather than empty. The plugin API needs Personal or above, and on Free the whole card is left out instead of shown and refused.

**Your plugin does not appear in the list.**

It has not connected. The list stays empty until a plugin program is running and has registered; starting NeuralVault does not start your plugin for you.

**A plugin holds a capability you did not mean to give it.**

Revoke it there. What a plugin asked for and what it was granted are shown separately, so check the granted column rather than assuming the request was met in full.

## Still stuck

Bug reports belong in the app, in Settings, About. Those carry no contact details, so they
get fixed rather than answered. To get a reply, email us instead: that route targets two
business days. https://perpetualtechnologies.co.uk/contact