Plugins

Plugin architecture, plugin authoring, and plugin maintenance

Use this section for plugin structure, plugin authoring, upgrade guidance, and plugin-related project policy.

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Encapsulated Plugins

Encapsulated plugin architecture and implementation guidance

Plugin Authoring Tips

Practical guidance for creating Zen Cart plugins

Checking Zen Cart Version in a Plugin

Determining which version of Zen Cart your plugin is running on

Adding Configuration Settings

Adding a plugin configuration setting that can be managed in admin

Plugin Language File Loading

Which language files Zen Cart loads for a plugin

Admin HTML Head Content

Managing HEAD content for admin pages and plugins

Adding Help to an Admin Plugin

Creating accessible help for admin-side plugin pages

Upgrading 1.3.x Plugins for Zen Cart 1.5

Updating older Zen Cart plugins for 1.5 compatibility

Upgrading Plugins for PHP 8 and Zen Cart 1.5.8+

Updating older Zen Cart plugins for PHP 8.x and Zen Cart 1.5.8+

Upgrading 2.0.0 Plugins for Zen Cart 2.1

Significant plugin architecture changes since Zen Cart 2.0.0

Adopting an Orphaned Plugin

Taking over maintenance of an abandoned plugin

Updating Plugins for Newer PHP Versions

Migration guidance for newer PHP versions

Using GitHub for Plugin Source and Documentation

Managing plugin source code and documentation on GitHub

Rules for Plugins

How to build a plugin that will be accepted

Last modified May 27, 2026 by Ian Wilson (e07ac859).