--- title: Build your first plugin description: A small local notes tool, from two source files to an installed plugin. group: Start here --- # Build your first plugin You need Hay, a [Hay account](accounts/), and a text editor. Building the optional bundle with the SDK also needs Node.js. The source-folder route does not require an npm project. ## Create a source folder Make a folder named `little-notes`. Add `manifest.json`: ```json { "schemaVersion": "hay.app/1", "id": "example.little-notes", "name": "Little notes", "version": "0.1.0", "description": "A small place for one useful note.", "author": "Your name", "entrypoint": "index.html", "icon": "FileText", "color": "#20242c", "capabilities": ["storage"], "views": [{"id": "main", "title": "Notes", "description": "Your note"}], "intents": [] } ``` Use an ID you control before sharing a real release. The `example` prefix is for this tutorial. ## Add the interface Add `index.html`. Keep scripts and styles inline; Hay injects the SDK before your script. ```html Little notes

Little notes

Opening your note…

``` ## Install and grant access In Hay, open **Plugins**, choose **Import local plugin**, and select the source folder. Review the installation request. Then enable **Local plugin storage** in its installed card and choose **Open a new task**. Installation itself grants no capabilities. If storage is off, the example reports the host error instead of pretending to save. ## Test the saved copy Save a note, leave the task, return, and check that it is still there. Revoke storage permission and check the error state. Try keyboard navigation, an empty note, and a narrow window. A regular browser does not provide `window.Hay`. Test host integration inside Hay. Local previews should use explicitly labelled fixtures rather than pretending to provide the host. ## Share it Open **Plugins / Share & publish**, choose Little notes, and select **Export plugin file**. Send the `.hay-plugin.json` file to someone who uses Hay. Their records and permissions are their own. For a reproducible source build, use the packager from the [Hay SDK source](https://github.com/use-hay/app/tree/main/packages/sdk): ```sh node /path/to/hay/packages/sdk/build-plugin.mjs ./little-notes ``` The result is `little-notes/dist/example.little-notes-0.1.0.hay-plugin.json`. Read [package formats](manifest/) before adding capabilities or sample data.