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Plugins

Extend HyperHQ with extra features and deeper integrations.

What Are Plugins?​

Plugins are add-ons that extend HyperHQ without requiring every feature to live in the core app.

In practice, plugins are how HyperHQ can support bigger or more specialized workflows like:

  • MAME setup and import flows
  • Hardware integrations
  • Media or metadata helpers
  • Service integrations such as achievements or external content sources
  • Future feature areas that do not need to ship inside the base app

The Current Plugin Picture​

The important thing to know is that HyperHQ supports a hybrid plugin model:

  • JavaScript plugins for lighter, app-side features
  • Executable plugins for heavier or more specialized integrations

That matters because some workflows are simple and UI-focused, while others need their own runtime, external tools, or long-running jobs.

For you as a user, the benefit is simple: HyperHQ can grow without putting every specialized feature into the main app.

Why Use Plugins?​

Add Specialized Features If a feature would be too narrow, too heavy, or too fast-moving for the main app, a plugin is often the right place for it.

Keep the Core App Cleaner You install what you need instead of carrying everything all the time.

Get Faster Feature Delivery Plugin-based features can evolve on their own release cycle.

Support Bigger Integrations Some workflows, especially around setup, importing, or external services, make more sense as dedicated plugins than as small built-in options.

Browsing and Installing Plugins​

HyperHQ includes a built-in plugin manager.

Plugin Manager Basics​

  1. Open Settings
  2. Go to Plugins
  3. Browse Installed and Available plugins
  4. Select a plugin to view details
  5. Install or update it from there

The manager handles the plugin catalog, platform compatibility, install state, and updates in one place.

That means:

  • Available plugins come from the HyperHQ plugin catalog
  • HyperHQ can use platform metadata to avoid showing downloads that do not make sense for your OS
  • Updates are handled through the same plugin area instead of manual file replacement

Updating Plugins​

HyperHQ can check for plugin updates and, depending on your settings, handle them automatically.

That is useful for keeping integrations current without manually replacing files.

If you prefer tighter control, review plugin settings and update behavior in the Plugins area before enabling auto-update broadly.

Configuring Plugins​

Many plugins expose their own settings screens directly in HyperHQ.

Typical plugin settings might include:

  • Paths to executables or tools
  • Login details or API credentials
  • Feature toggles
  • System-specific preferences

Some plugins also surface progress, status, or version information inside the plugin manager instead of making you check logs by hand.

How Plugins Communicate​

Under the hood, HyperHQ uses a local plugin communication layer so installed plugins can talk to the app in real time.

A few user-facing takeaways:

  • Plugins can show progress for long-running jobs
  • They can respond to app actions without a restart
  • HyperHQ can validate and manage plugin sessions more safely than older ad hoc approaches

Security has improved here too. Executable plugins authenticate with a one-time launch challenge before they can interact with HyperHQ.

Practical Examples​

Emulator Setup​

Emulator setup is a good example of why plugins matter.

A modern emulator plugin can handle setup checks, imports, filtering, updates, and guided actions that would be too bulky for a normal settings page.

Hardware and Companion Features​

Features such as marquee-related behavior, LED workflows, or other hardware-adjacent tools may involve plugin-style integrations because they often need to talk to external software or devices.

Plugin Safety Tips​

Install from trusted sources Use the built-in manager when possible.

Read what the plugin is for If a plugin needs external tools, credentials, or a separate runtime, that should be clear before you install it.

Keep the important ones updated Especially if they handle setup, imports, or external services.

What Plugins Are Not​

Plugins are not a replacement for normal HyperHQ setup. Start with the built-in system, emulator, media, and settings pages first.

Think of plugins as the layer that adds specialized capability once your foundation is already working.

Good Follow-Up Docs​

If you're installing plugins because you're solving a specific problem, these guides are usually the next stop: