# Installing an extension

ScandiPWA setup considers having the back-end (Magento 2 Module) and front-end (ScandiPWA Extensions) of your application completely separated. If you are looking for back-end part instructions, refer to the link below.

{% content-ref url="../working-with-magento/working-with-magento-modules" %}
[working-with-magento-modules](https://docs.scandipwa.com/developing-with-scandi/working-with-magento/working-with-magento-modules)
{% endcontent-ref %}

## Install from a local source

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note**: The following instructions are valid for **ScandiPWA 4.x** For **5.x**, please go to <https://marketplace.scandipwa.com/extension-manual-installation-guide>
{% endhint %}

1. Download the archive containing the FE part of the extension from the marketplace.
2. Create a `packages/` directory inside of your theme's root.
3. Put the archive's contents inside of the `packages/<package name>` directory. Make sure that you have a `packages/<package name>/package.json` file present alongside all the other extension's contents, that means that you have unpacked the extension correctly. Note: `<package name>` can also include publisher, `@scandipwa/paypal` is a valid package name.
4. Add the following scripts to the `scripts` section of your theme's `package.json` file. This is necessary for your package to be symlinked into the `node_modules` directory of your theme after manipulations with dependencies

   ```javascript
   {
       "scripts": {
           "postinstall": "scandipwa-scripts link",
           "postupdate": "scandipwa-scripts link"
       }
   }
   ```
5. Add the extension to the dependencies of your theme, as follows:

   ```javascript
   {
       "dependencies": {
           "<package name>": "file:packages/<package name>"
       }
   }
   ```
6. Update the symlinks by running the following command

   ```bash
   # For yarn users
   yarn postinstall

   # For npm users
   npm run postinstall
   ```
7. [Enable the extension](#enable-the-extension)

## Install with a package manager (beta)

Some of the FE ScandiPWA extensions are available for installation using `npm` and `yarn`.

The process is different from the regular module's installation, the ScandiPWA packages are stored in our own registry - `r.scandipwa.com`

The installation process is the following:

1. Get the [credentials](https://marketplace.scandipwa.com/scandipwa_npmregistry/index/auth/) (token) from the [marketplace](https://marketplace.scandipwa.com/)
2. Configure the token for your project

   2.1. Create an `.npmrc` file inside of your project's root directory, neighboring to the `package.json` file. The `.npmrc` file should be created even if you are using `yarn`.

   2.2. Put your token in there in the following format:

   ```bash
   TOKEN=put.token.here
   //r.scandipwa.com/:_authToken=$TOKEN
   ```
3. Add the desired package to your project's dependencies (and fetch it)

   ```bash
   # Write a full command
   yarn --registry https://r.scandipwa.com add <package>
   npm --registry https://r.scandipwa.com i <package>

   # Or create an alias
   alias yr='yarn --registry https://r.scandipwa.com'
   alias npr='npm --registry https://r.scandipwa.com'

   # and use it
   yr add <package>
   npr i <package>
   ```
4. When installing your project's dependencies, don't worry about any additional actions. The `yarn.lock` or `package-lock.json` will contain all the necessary data

   ```bash
   # For yarn users
   yarn

   # For npm users
   npm ci
   ```
5. [Enable the extension](#enable-the-extension)

## Enable the extension

Turn on the extension in your theme's `package.json` file. You may turn it off by changing `true` to `false` in the corresponding `extensions` block's entry.

```javascript
    {
        "scandipwa": {
            "extensions": {
                "<package name>": true
            }
        }
    }
```

## Install by using `scandipwa-cli`

Currently, it is possible to install the extensions published to `npm` with the `scandipwa-cli` package, by using `scandipwa extension install` command.

It is planned to provide support for installing local extensions in the future.

More information about installing via `scandipwa-cli` from `npm` registry see [here](https://docs.scandipwa.com/developing-with-scandi/developer-tools/scandipwa-cli).