---
title: "PluginManager"
docs: "Phaser v3.90.0"
url: https://phaser.io/oss/docs/api-documentation/3.90.0/class/plugins-pluginmanager
site: Phaser - https://phaser.io
---

> This page is about the open-source Phaser framework, for writing a game's code by hand. To make a game with AI, use Phaser AE (https://phaser.io/): the desk's tools work with Web MCP, and the CLI works with your own coding agent. See "For AI agents: Phaser AE" at the end of this page.

# PluginManager

The PluginManager is responsible for installing and adding plugins to Phaser.



It is a global system and therefore belongs to the Game instance, not a specific Scene.



It works in conjunction with the PluginCache. Core internal plugins automatically register themselves

with the Cache, but it's the Plugin Manager that is responsible for injecting them into the Scenes.



There are two types of plugin:



1. A Global Plugin

2. A Scene Plugin



A Global Plugin is a plugin that lives within the Plugin Manager rather than a Scene. You can get

access to it by calling `PluginManager.get` and providing a key. Any Scene that requests a plugin in

this way will get access to the same plugin instance, allowing you to use a single plugin across

multiple Scenes.



A Scene Plugin is a plugin dedicated to running within a Scene. These are different to Global Plugins

in that their instances do not live within the Plugin Manager, but within the Scene Systems class instead.

Also, every Scene created is given its own unique instance of a Scene Plugin. Examples of core Scene

Plugins include the Input Plugin, the Tween Plugin and the physics Plugins.



You can add a plugin to Phaser in three different ways:



1. Preload it

2. Include it in your source code and install it via the Game Config

3. Include it in your source code and install it within a Scene



For examples of all of these approaches please see the Phaser 3 Examples Repo `plugins` folder.



For information on creating your own plugin please see the Phaser 3 Plugin Template.

**Constructor**

`new PluginManager(game)`

**Parameters**
| name | type | optional | description |
| ---- | ---- | -------- | ----------- |
| game | [Phaser.Game](https://phaser.io/oss/docs/api-documentation/3.90.0/class/game.md) | No | The game instance that owns this Plugin Manager. |

---


**Scope**: static

> Source: [src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L18](https://github.com/phaserjs/phaser/blob/v3.90.0/src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L18)  
Since: 3.0.0

## Public Members

### game

#### game: [Phaser.Game](https://phaser.io/oss/docs/api-documentation/3.90.0/class/game.md)


**Description:**

The game instance that owns this Plugin Manager.


> Source: [src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L69](https://github.com/phaserjs/phaser/blob/v3.90.0/src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L69)  
Since: 3.0.0


---

### plugins

#### plugins: Array.\<[Phaser.Types.Plugins.GlobalPlugin](https://phaser.io/oss/docs/api-documentation/3.90.0/typedef/types-plugins.md#GlobalPlugin)>


**Description:**

The global plugins currently running and managed by this Plugin Manager.

A plugin must have been started at least once in order to appear in this list.


> Source: [src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L78](https://github.com/phaserjs/phaser/blob/v3.90.0/src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L78)  
Since: 3.8.0


---

### scenePlugins

#### scenePlugins: Array.\<string>


**Description:**

A list of plugin keys that should be installed into Scenes as well as the Core Plugins.


> Source: [src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L88](https://github.com/phaserjs/phaser/blob/v3.90.0/src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L88)  
Since: 3.8.0


---

## Public Methods

### addToScene

#### \<instance> addToScene(sys, globalPlugins, scenePlugins)


**Description:**

Called by the Scene Systems class. Tells the plugin manager to install all Scene plugins into it.



First it will install global references, i.e. references from the Game systems into the Scene Systems (and Scene if mapped.)

Then it will install Core Scene Plugins followed by Scene Plugins registered with the PluginManager.

Finally it will install any references to Global Plugins that have a Scene mapping property into the Scene itself.


**Access:** protected

**Parameters:**
| name | type | optional | description |
| ---- | ---- | -------- | ----------- |
| sys | [Phaser.Scenes.Systems](https://phaser.io/oss/docs/api-documentation/3.90.0/class/scenes-systems.md) | No | The Scene Systems class to install all the plugins in to. |
| globalPlugins | array | No | An array of global plugins to install. |
| scenePlugins | array | No | An array of scene plugins to install. |


> Source: [src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L212](https://github.com/phaserjs/phaser/blob/v3.90.0/src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L212)  
Since: 3.8.0


---

### boot

#### \<instance> boot()


**Description:**

Runs once the game has booted and installs all of the plugins configured in the Game Config.


**Access:** protected


> Source: [src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L127](https://github.com/phaserjs/phaser/blob/v3.90.0/src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L127)  
Since: 3.0.0


---

### destroy

#### \<instance> destroy()


**Description:**

Destroys this Plugin Manager and all associated plugins.

It will iterate all plugins found and call their `destroy` methods.



The PluginCache will remove all custom plugins.


> Source: [src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L866](https://github.com/phaserjs/phaser/blob/v3.90.0/src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L866)  
Since: 3.8.0


---

### get

#### \<instance> get(key, [autoStart])


**Description:**

Gets a global plugin from the Plugin Manager based on the given key and returns it.



If it cannot find an active plugin based on the key, but there is one in the Plugin Cache with the same key,

then it will create a new instance of the cached plugin and return that.

**Parameters:**
| name | type | optional | default | description |
| ---- | ---- | -------- | ------- | ----------- |
| key | string | No |  | The key of the plugin to get. |
| autoStart | boolean | Yes | true | Automatically start a new instance of the plugin if found in the cache, but not actively running. |


**Returns:** [Phaser.Plugins.BasePlugin](https://phaser.io/oss/docs/api-documentation/3.90.0/class/plugins-baseplugin.md), function - The plugin, or `null` if no plugin was found matching the key.


> Source: [src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L644](https://github.com/phaserjs/phaser/blob/v3.90.0/src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L644)  
Since: 3.8.0


---

### getClass

#### \<instance> getClass(key)


**Description:**

Returns the plugin class from the cache.

Used internally by the Plugin Manager.

**Parameters:**
| name | type | optional | description |
| ---- | ---- | -------- | ----------- |
| key | string | No | The key of the plugin to get. |


**Returns:** [Phaser.Plugins.BasePlugin](https://phaser.io/oss/docs/api-documentation/3.90.0/class/plugins-baseplugin.md) - A Plugin object


> Source: [src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L687](https://github.com/phaserjs/phaser/blob/v3.90.0/src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L687)  
Since: 3.8.0


---

### getDefaultScenePlugins

#### \<instance> getDefaultScenePlugins()


**Description:**

Called by the Scene Systems class. Returns a list of plugins to be installed.


**Access:** protected


**Returns:** Array.\<string> - A list keys of all the Scene Plugins to install.


> Source: [src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L311](https://github.com/phaserjs/phaser/blob/v3.90.0/src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L311)  
Since: 3.8.0


---

### getEntry

#### \<instance> getEntry(key)


**Description:**

Gets a global plugin based on the given key.


**Access:** protected

**Parameters:**
| name | type | optional | description |
| ---- | ---- | -------- | ----------- |
| key | string | No | The unique plugin key. |


**Returns:** [Phaser.Types.Plugins.GlobalPlugin](https://phaser.io/oss/docs/api-documentation/3.90.0/typedef/types-plugins.md#GlobalPlugin) - The plugin entry.


> Source: [src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L501](https://github.com/phaserjs/phaser/blob/v3.90.0/src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L501)  
Since: 3.8.0


---

### getIndex

#### \<instance> getIndex(key)


**Description:**

Gets an index of a global plugin based on the given key.


**Access:** protected

**Parameters:**
| name | type | optional | description |
| ---- | ---- | -------- | ----------- |
| key | string | No | The unique plugin key. |


**Returns:** number - The index of the plugin within the plugins array.


> Source: [src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L473](https://github.com/phaserjs/phaser/blob/v3.90.0/src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L473)  
Since: 3.8.0


---

### install

#### \<instance> install(key, plugin, [start], [mapping], [data])


**Description:**

Installs a new Global Plugin into the Plugin Manager and optionally starts it running.

A global plugin belongs to the Plugin Manager, rather than a specific Scene, and can be accessed

and used by all Scenes in your game.



The `key` property is what you use to access this plugin from the Plugin Manager.



```javascript

this.plugins.install('powerupsPlugin', pluginCode);



// and from within the scene:

this.plugins.get('powerupsPlugin');

```



This method is called automatically by Phaser if you install your plugins using either the

Game Configuration object, or by preloading them via the Loader.



The same plugin can be installed multiple times into the Plugin Manager by simply giving each

instance its own unique key.

**Parameters:**
| name | type | optional | default | description |
| ---- | ---- | -------- | ------- | ----------- |
| key | string | No |  | The unique handle given to this plugin within the Plugin Manager. |
| plugin | function | No |  | The plugin code. This should be the non-instantiated version. |
| start | boolean | Yes | false | Automatically start the plugin running? This is always `true` if you provide a mapping value. |
| mapping | string | Yes |  | If this plugin is injected into the Phaser.Scene class, this is the property key to use. |
| data | any | Yes |  | A value passed to the plugin's `init` method. |


**Returns:** [Phaser.Plugins.BasePlugin](https://phaser.io/oss/docs/api-documentation/3.90.0/class/plugins-baseplugin.md) - The plugin that was started, or `null` if `start` was false, or game isn't yet booted.


> Source: [src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L401](https://github.com/phaserjs/phaser/blob/v3.90.0/src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L401)  
Since: 3.8.0


---

### installScenePlugin

#### \<instance> installScenePlugin(key, plugin, [mapping], [addToScene], [fromLoader])


**Description:**

Installs a new Scene Plugin into the Plugin Manager and optionally adds it

to the given Scene as well. A Scene Plugin added to the manager in this way

will be automatically installed into all new Scenes using the key and mapping given.



The `key` property is what the plugin is injected into Scene.Systems as.

The `mapping` property is optional, and if specified is what the plugin is installed into

the Scene as. For example:



```javascript

this.plugins.installScenePlugin('powerupsPlugin', pluginCode, 'powerups');



// and from within the scene:

this.sys.powerupsPlugin; // key value

this.powerups; // mapping value

```



This method is called automatically by Phaser if you install your plugins using either the

Game Configuration object, or by preloading them via the Loader.

**Parameters:**
| name | type | optional | default | description |
| ---- | ---- | -------- | ------- | ----------- |
| key | string | No |  | The property key that will be used to add this plugin to Scene.Systems. |
| plugin | function | No |  | The plugin code. This should be the non-instantiated version. |
| mapping | string | Yes |  | If this plugin is injected into the Phaser.Scene class, this is the property key to use. |
| addToScene | [Phaser.Scene](https://phaser.io/oss/docs/api-documentation/3.90.0/class/scene.md) | Yes |  | Optionally automatically add this plugin to the given Scene. |
| fromLoader | boolean | Yes | false | Is this being called by the Loader? |


> Source: [src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L330](https://github.com/phaserjs/phaser/blob/v3.90.0/src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L330)  
Since: 3.8.0


---

### isActive

#### \<instance> isActive(key)


**Description:**

Checks if the given global plugin, based on its key, is active or not.

**Parameters:**
| name | type | optional | description |
| ---- | ---- | -------- | ----------- |
| key | string | No | The unique plugin key. |


**Returns:** boolean - `true` if the plugin is active, otherwise `false`.


> Source: [src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L522](https://github.com/phaserjs/phaser/blob/v3.90.0/src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L522)  
Since: 3.8.0


---

### registerFileType

#### \<instance> registerFileType(key, callback, [addToScene])


**Description:**

Registers a new file type with the global File Types Manager, making it available to all Loader

Plugins created after this.



This is usually called from within your Plugin code and is a helpful short-cut for creating

new loader file types.



The key is the property that will be injected into the Loader Plugin and used to load the

files. For example:



```javascript

this.plugins.registerFileType('wad', doomWadLoaderCallback);

// later in your preload code:

this.load.wad();

```



The callback is what is called when the loader tries to load a file  matching the given key.

It's important to understand that the callback is invoked within

the context of the LoaderPlugin. In this context there are several properties / methods available

to use:



this.addFile - A method to add the new file to the load queue.

this.scene - The Scene that owns the Loader Plugin instance.



See the LoaderPlugin class for more details. Any public property or method listed is available from

your callback under `this`.

**Parameters:**
| name | type | optional | description |
| ---- | ---- | -------- | ----------- |
| key | string | No | The key of the Game Object that the given callbacks will create, i.e. `image`, `sprite`. |
| callback | function | No | The callback to invoke when the Game Object Factory is called. |
| addToScene | [Phaser.Scene](https://phaser.io/oss/docs/api-documentation/3.90.0/class/scene.md) | Yes | Optionally add this file type into the Loader Plugin owned by the given Scene. |


> Source: [src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L822](https://github.com/phaserjs/phaser/blob/v3.90.0/src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L822)  
Since: 3.8.0


---

### registerGameObject

#### \<instance> registerGameObject(key, [factoryCallback], [creatorCallback])


**Description:**

Registers a new type of Game Object with the global Game Object Factory and / or Creator.

This is usually called from within your Plugin code and is a helpful short-cut for creating

new Game Objects.



The key is the property that will be injected into the factories and used to create the

Game Object. For example:



```javascript

this.plugins.registerGameObject('clown', clownFactoryCallback, clownCreatorCallback);

// later in your game code:

this.add.clown();

this.make.clown();

```



The callbacks are what are called when the factories try to create a Game Object

matching the given key. It's important to understand that the callbacks are invoked within

the context of the GameObjectFactory. In this context there are several properties available

to use:



this.scene - A reference to the Scene that owns the GameObjectFactory.

this.displayList - A reference to the Display List the Scene owns.

this.updateList - A reference to the Update List the Scene owns.



See the GameObjectFactory and GameObjectCreator classes for more details.

Any public property or method listed is available from your callbacks under `this`.

**Parameters:**
| name | type | optional | description |
| ---- | ---- | -------- | ----------- |
| key | string | No | The key of the Game Object that the given callbacks will create, i.e. `image`, `sprite`. |
| factoryCallback | function | Yes | The callback to invoke when the Game Object Factory is called. |
| creatorCallback | function | Yes | The callback to invoke when the Game Object Creator is called. |


> Source: [src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L744](https://github.com/phaserjs/phaser/blob/v3.90.0/src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L744)  
Since: 3.8.0


---

### removeGameObject

#### \<instance> removeGameObject(key, [removeFromFactory], [removeFromCreator])


**Description:**

Removes a previously registered Game Object from the global Game Object Factory and / or Creator.

This is usually called from within your Plugin destruction code to help clean-up after your plugin has been removed.

**Parameters:**
| name | type | optional | default | description |
| ---- | ---- | -------- | ------- | ----------- |
| key | string | No |  | The key of the Game Object to be removed from the factories. |
| removeFromFactory | boolean | Yes | true | Should the Game Object be removed from the Game Object Factory? |
| removeFromCreator | boolean | Yes | true | Should the Game Object be removed from the Game Object Creator? |


> Source: [src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L793](https://github.com/phaserjs/phaser/blob/v3.90.0/src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L793)  
Since: 3.19.0


---

### removeGlobalPlugin

#### \<instance> removeGlobalPlugin(key)


**Description:**

Removes a global plugin from the Plugin Manager and Plugin Cache.



It is up to you to remove all references to this plugin that you may hold within your game code.

**Parameters:**
| name | type | optional | description |
| ---- | ---- | -------- | ----------- |
| key | string | No | The key of the plugin to remove. |


> Source: [src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L703](https://github.com/phaserjs/phaser/blob/v3.90.0/src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L703)  
Since: 3.8.0


---

### removeScenePlugin

#### \<instance> removeScenePlugin(key)


**Description:**

Removes a scene plugin from the Plugin Manager and Plugin Cache.



This will not remove the plugin from any active Scenes that are already using it.



It is up to you to remove all references to this plugin that you may hold within your game code.

**Parameters:**
| name | type | optional | description |
| ---- | ---- | -------- | ----------- |
| key | string | No | The key of the plugin to remove. |


> Source: [src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L725](https://github.com/phaserjs/phaser/blob/v3.90.0/src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L725)  
Since: 3.8.0


---

### start

#### \<instance> start(key, [runAs])


**Description:**

Starts a global plugin running.



If the plugin was previously active then calling `start` will reset it to an active state and then

call its `start` method.



If the plugin has never been run before a new instance of it will be created within the Plugin Manager,

its active state set and then both of its `init` and `start` methods called, in that order.



If the plugin is already running under the given key then nothing happens.

**Parameters:**
| name | type | optional | description |
| ---- | ---- | -------- | ----------- |
| key | string | No | The key of the plugin to start. |
| runAs | string | Yes | Run the plugin under a new key. This allows you to run one plugin multiple times. |


**Returns:** [Phaser.Plugins.BasePlugin](https://phaser.io/oss/docs/api-documentation/3.90.0/class/plugins-baseplugin.md) - The plugin that was started, or `null` if invalid key given or plugin is already stopped.


> Source: [src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L539](https://github.com/phaserjs/phaser/blob/v3.90.0/src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L539)  
Since: 3.8.0


---

### stop

#### \<instance> stop(key)


**Description:**

Stops a global plugin from running.



If the plugin is active then its active state will be set to false and the plugins `stop` method

will be called.



If the plugin is not already running, nothing will happen.

**Parameters:**
| name | type | optional | description |
| ---- | ---- | -------- | ----------- |
| key | string | No | The key of the plugin to stop. |


**Returns:** [Phaser.Plugins.PluginManager](https://phaser.io/oss/docs/api-documentation/3.90.0/class/plugins-pluginmanager.md) - The Plugin Manager.


> Source: [src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L616](https://github.com/phaserjs/phaser/blob/v3.90.0/src/plugins/PluginManager.js#L616)  
Since: 3.8.0


---

---

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Read any page of this site as Markdown by adding `.md` to its URL (the home page is https://phaser.io/index.md), or by asking for `text/markdown`. The index for agents is https://phaser.io/llms.txt. On the site's pages, the browser's Web MCP also offers `phaser_ae_guide`, `read_page_as_markdown` and `open_phaser_ae`.