# Install a built-in plugin

Tilecast plugins add optional features that ship with Tilecast. They are not downloaded from a third-party plugin store. Only an Owner or Administrator can install or remove a plugin.

## Install a plugin

1. In Studio, open **Operations** > **Plugins**.
2. Select **Add plugin** and choose a plugin from the catalog.
3. Read the listed requirements and capabilities, then select **Install**.
4. Open the plugin's page from the installed list and configure its instances.

Tilecast shows installed plugins and their setup state. Some plugins need a compatible Player, hardware, or network connection. For example, **Noise Meter** needs a Linux Player with an available microphone, and **Emergency Alerts** needs the server to reach the National Weather Service. A listed requirement is guidance; installation itself does not confirm that a device meets it.

The built-in catalog includes:

| Plugin                                                          | What it adds                                                               | Important limit                                                                                                       |
| --------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Countdown Bar**                                               | A timed bar over normal playback.                                          | Target Players must support plugin bars.                                                                              |
| **Brand Bug / Watermark** Linux | A persistent corner mark over content.                                     | The Linux Player renders it; the Android Player does not.                                                             |
| **Noise Meter** Linux only      | A bar that appears while room noise stays above the configured level.      | A Linux Player and an audio input are required. The reading is relative, not a calibrated sound-pressure measurement. |
| **Emergency Alerts** US         | Automatic response to matching National Weather Service alerts.            | Covers U.S. alerts and needs outbound server access to the NWS service.                                               |
| **Forms**                                                       | Submission and approval workflows whose approved records can feed Widgets. | Forms are managed from their plugin page, not from the Data Sources library.                                          |

Removing a plugin is blocked while its instances or other plugin-owned resources remain. Remove those through the plugin's own page first. Removal does not delete those resources.

See [Configure Emergency Alerts](../emergency-alerts/) for coverage, matching rules, display modes, and poll health.

## Plugin guides

- [Countdown Bar](./countdown-bar/) for timed overlays, targeting, priority, and urgency.
- [Brand Bug / Watermark](./brand-bug/) for persistent corner marks.
- [Noise Meter](./noise-meter/) for local microphone levels and privacy behavior.
- [Emergency Alerts](../emergency-alerts/) for NWS monitoring and response rules.
- [Forms](../../studio/forms/) for data collection and approval workflows.