The Nautobot plugin system is built on extensible core components that allow developers to introduce new functionality and UI elements without modifying the core Nautobot codebase. Below are the essential building blocks for creating powerful plugins:

• Apps: Plugins are structured as Django "apps." Each app organizes its own models, views, templates, and logic, encapsulating functionality and reducing code conflicts.
• Models: Define custom data structures stored in Nautobot’s database. Models allow plugins to represent new types of resources, extending what Nautobot natively supports.
• Views: Control how data is presented and interacted with through both the Nautobot web UI and APIs. Plugins can add pages, detail views, or even complex dashboards.
• UI Component Framework: Enables plugins to define object detail layouts using Python objects like Tabs, Panels, and Buttons rather than manually writing HTML templates. This leads to consistent, maintainable, and modular interfaces.
• Tabs: Allow segmentation of complex detail pages into logically distinct sections. Each tab can contain its own set of panels, improving navigation and user experience.
• Panels: Serve as containers for displaying related fields, grouped information, tables, statistics, or custom content. There are specialized panel types for common use cases (e.g., ObjectFieldsPanel, StatsPanel, DataTablePanel).
• Buttons: Add actionable controls to pages, ranging from simple links to dynamic JavaScript-driven actions, enhancing how users interact with plugin functionality.

Together, these core components empower Nautobot plugins to deliver new data models, interfaces, and automation features—while maintaining a seamless and unified user experience.

Nautobot plugins follow a modular structure based on the Django app model. Each plugin is an isolated, reusable Python package that encapsulates its own models, views, templates, and static content. This clear and intuitive layout makes plugin development organized and scalable.

Directory Structure Overview:

example_plugin/
├── __init__.py
├── admin.py
├── api/
│   ├── __init__.py
│   └── views.py
├── jobs.py
├── migrations/
│   ├── __init__.py
│   └── 0001_initial.py
├── models.py
├── templates/
│   └── example_plugin/
│       └── custom_template.html
├── views.py
├── urls.py
├── static/
│   └── example_plugin/
├── tests/
│   └── test_models.py
└── plugin.py

• plugin.py: The entry point that includes the PluginConfig class to register metadata such as name, description, and default settings.
• models.py: Defines any custom data structures your plugin adds to Nautobot.
• views.py: Contains logic for displaying custom web pages or UI elements.
• templates/ and static/: Hold HTML and static assets (CSS, JS, icons) used by the plugin UI.
• jobs.py: Optional. Declares automation routines that users can execute from the Nautobot Job interface.
• api/: Optional. Houses REST or GraphQL API views, serializers, and custom routes.
• urls.py: Registers Django URL routes for plugin-specific views and web features.
• migrations/: Stores Django database migrations for new or updated models.

This setup allows plugins to remain self-contained, organized, and easy to deploy alongside Nautobot’s core application.

The lifecycle of a Nautobot plugin covers the entire journey from initial development to ongoing updates and eventual retirement. Understanding these phases ensures smooth deployment, effective maintenance, and reliable long-term operation of your Nautobot integrations.

• Development:
  Begin by designing and building your plugin in its own Python package. Define models, views, API endpoints, and UI components as needed. Use the Nautobot plugin development framework to stay aligned with best practices and maintain compatibility with Nautobot's core system.
• Installation:
  Install the plugin in your Nautobot environment using your preferred package management tool (like pip or poetry). Add the plugin's name to the PLUGINS list within your nautobot_config.py settings file. Provide required configuration under PLUGINS_CONFIG if necessary.
• Activation:
  Restart your Nautobot service. The plugin is automatically discovered, its models are migrated into the database, and any custom views or endpoints become available within the Nautobot UI and API.
• Configuration:
  Adjust plugin-specific settings through PLUGINS_CONFIG to fine-tune its functionality. Plugin configuration supports options such as enabling features, setting API integrations, and customizing appearance or roles.
• Upgrade:
  When new versions are released—either for Nautobot or the plugin itself—review changelogs and perform any required updates to the plugin code or configuration. Reapply database migrations and restart the service to complete the process.
• Maintenance:
  Routinely monitor plugin logs, update dependencies, and apply security patches as needed. Engage with plugin maintainers for bug fixes and feature enhancements to ensure ongoing reliability.
• Deactivation or Removal:
  To remove a plugin, delete its entry from the PLUGINS list in nautobot_config.py, uninstall the package, and clean up any dependent data or migrations from your database. Always back up your system before making major changes.

This plugin lifecycle provides a clear path for managing integrations, supporting automation and customization as your Nautobot deployment evolves.

Nautobot’s plugin system empowers developers and network teams to extend and customize the platform for unique workflows and automation. Here are the key extensibility features that plugins can leverage:

• Custom Fields:
  Add new attributes to any model—store additional structured data without altering the core database schema.
• Relationships:
  Define and visualize custom relationships between any set of Nautobot models, for richer data modeling and network mapping.
• Config Contexts & Schemas:
  Attach dynamic, context-aware configuration data to devices or objects. Use schemas to enforce data structure for automation pipelines.
• Jobs:
  Package and execute custom Python jobs for automation, validation, reporting, or migrations—triggered manually or on a schedule.
• Navigation & UI Injection:
  Extend menus, add new pages, inject buttons or banners, and display custom content in the Nautobot interface for seamless user experiences.
• API and Data Model Extensions:
  Register new REST or GraphQL endpoints, or introduce entirely new models and views to serve custom application needs.
• Jinja2 Filters:
  Add custom filters for computed fields, export templates, and webhooks to transform and present data flexibly.
• Git Integration:
  Use external Git repositories as a source of truth for configuration data, and extend the types of data Nautobot can ingest automatically.
• Custom Validation:
  Implement sophisticated validation logic for both built-in and plugin-provided data models to enforce business rules and standards.

These extensibility features enable Nautobot to be customized for virtually any network management scenario, fostering innovation and automation at any scale.

Nautobot plugins enable powerful automation and network management features by extending the core platform. Here are some real-world examples of what plugins can accomplish:

• Device Onboarding:
  Seamlessly discover and add new network devices into Nautobot, pulling relevant metadata and maintaining user-defined consistency.
• DNS Management:
  Model, manage, and automate DNS records and zones with custom models, interfaces, and APIs—streamlining DNS integration and lifecycle management.
• Configuration Backup & Compliance:
  Automate the retrieval, archival, and compliance checking of device configurations. Visually track drift and remediate issues at scale.
• Bulk Network Discovery:
  Scan networks, populate inventory data, and keep records synchronized with real-world infrastructure using scheduled or on-demand tasks.
• External System Synchronization:
  Integrate with cloud providers, ITSM, or CMDB systems—pulling or pushing data to keep Nautobot a true source of truth.
• Network Automation Orchestration:
  Launch multi-step automation workflows—like pushing configurations, running vulnerability scans, or validating network state.
• Role-Based Reporting:
  Build custom reports, dashboards, or visualizations tailored for different user groups and operational needs.
• Custom REST/GraphQL APIs:
  Expose new programmatic endpoints for integrating Nautobot data and logic with other tools and systems.
• UI Enhancements:
  Inject new navigation menus, banners, tabs, and dynamic content directly into Nautobot’s web interface for a seamless user experience.

These examples highlight how the Nautobot plugin system can address diverse network engineering needs—from automation and inventory management to custom analytics—all without changing the Nautobot core codebase.

Adhering to best practices is essential for building robust, maintainable, and user-friendly Nautobot plugins. Consider the following recommendations throughout your plugin’s lifecycle:

• Follow Django Conventions:
  Leverage established Django project layout, naming, and coding patterns for consistency and smoother onboarding.
• Maintain Isolated Namespaces:
  Prefix models, templates, and settings with your plugin name to avoid clashes with other plugins or Nautobot core.
• Leverage PluginConfig:
  Make full use of the PluginConfig class to declare metadata, required settings, default options, and compatibility boundaries.
• Document Everything:
  Keep clear documentation for custom fields, APIs, template blocks, configuration options, and expected behaviors.
• Test Extensively:
  Include both unit and integration tests. Ensure your plugin functions properly across all supported Nautobot versions.
• Use Semantic Versioning:
  Tag releases following semantic versioning principles (MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH). Clearly indicate breaking changes and update compatibility info accordingly.
• Explicitly Declare Dependencies:
  Specify all third-party packages, minimum Python version, and Nautobot compatibility in your pyproject.toml or setup.py.
• Monitor Security & Updates:
  Regularly review upstream changes, apply security patches, and keep dependencies up to date.
• Engage the Community:
  Share your plugin, solicit feedback, and track issues using public repositories or Nautobot community platforms.

Applying these best practices ensures that your Nautobot plugins remain secure, easy to maintain, and valuable to users as the platform evolves.