# Plugin Architecture

A GitBook plugin is a NPM package that follows a defined convention.

`gitbook-plugin` is a command line utility to help you create, test and release plugins.

### Bootstrap your first plugin

Install `gitbook-plugin` from NPM:

```
$ npm install gitbook-plugin -g
```

Then create your plugin:

```
$ gitbook-plugin create
```

You will be asked for a plugin name, and a few other things to complete the creation process.


### Publish your plugin