# Installing plugins from the marketplace using hermes init * Status: accepted * Deciders: nheeb * Date: 2025-03-04 ## Context and Problem Statement For a smooth user experience common plugins (those which are on the marketplace) should be installable via `hermes init`. That however means we need to decide on a way for the plugins to ask question during that same init process. ## Considered Options * **Full install**: Plugins are installed locally during `hermes init`, can hook into the init process, and ask questions themselves to adjust the `hermes.toml` or similar. * **No install**: Plugins are only added to the CI pipeline as `pip install ...` lines. Additional questions for the init process could be added in the marketplace input mask along with a property name under which the answer is stored in the `hermes.toml`. * **Partial install**: Plugins are only added to the CI pipeline as `pip install ...` lines. Additional questions for the init process are handled in a "detached" script that is downloaded, executed locally, and then deleted again (this script may only have dependencies of Hermes). ## Decision Outcome Chosen option: "**Partial install**", because it is a good trade-off between giving plugins more controll over their init process and not being too invasive with local installs. ## Pros and Cons of the Options ### Full install - (+) Plugins have a lot of control over how they design their own init process. - (+) The plugin can be used locally on the device directly if the user intends to do so. - (-) The plugin might be installed unnecessarily, as locally only the init part may be executed. - (-) The plugin may introduce many dependencies that the user doesn’t necessarily need. - (-) There could be environment complications (e.g., if Hermes was installed with `pipx`). ### No install - (+) Nothing is installed locally via `hermes init`. - (+) Overall, slightly less effort for the init command and plugin developers. - (-) The marketplace would need input masks for an arbitrary number of such questions. - (-) Plugins have little control over how they design their own init process. - (-) Plugins intended for local use must be installed manually. ### Partial install - (+) Nothing is installed locally via `hermes init`. - (+) Plugins have relatively high control over how they design their own init process. - (-) Plugins intended for local use must be installed manually.