Modernizing Existing Add-ons
The ExpressionEngine 7.2 release brought a new add-on development approach, which generates the majority of the add-on’s needed files and structure. It also brings additional organization to how add-ons are developed.
These changes do NOT break existing add-ons. The old development methodologies will still work. However once these changes are made the add-on will require ExpressionEngine 7.2+.
The idea of an add-on being a “plugin”, “module”, “extension”, “fieldtype”, etc. is no longer accurate. Instead, an add-on can include features such as template tags, actions, fieldtypes, or extensions.
To utilize the updated method for creating add-ons, you will need to make some small changes to your current add-ons. However, this does not mean that you need to completely convert your add-ons to the new method. After making these updates, you can continue using your existing add-ons and begin creating new ones using the updated method.
Updating your mod.addon.php file
In order to use the new approach, you will have to have your mod file use and extend the module add-on service. Your mod file will also need to add the protected variable $addon_name in the class
use ExpressionEngine\Service\Addon\Module;
class Amazing_add_on extends Module
{
protected $addon_name = 'amazing_add_on';
Updating your mcp.addon.php file
In order to use the new approach, you will have to have your mcp file use and extend the Mcp add-on service. Your mcp file will also need to add the protected variable $addon_name in the class
use ExpressionEngine\Service\Addon\Mcp;
class Amazing_add_on_mcp extends Mcp
{
protected $addon_name = 'amazing_add_on';Updating your ext.addon.php file
In order to use the new approach, you will have to have your ext file use and extend the Extension add-on service. Your ext file will also need to add the protected variable $addon_name in the class
use ExpressionEngine\Service\Addon\Extension;
class Amazing_add_on_ext extends Extension
{
protected $addon_name = 'amazing_add_on';Updating your upd.addon.php file
In order to use the new approach, you will have to have your upd file use and extend the Installer add-on service
use ExpressionEngine\Service\Addon\Installer;
class Amazing_add_on_upd extends Installer
{A Note on Plugins
If your add-on is currently a plugin and you are looking to take advantage of the new add-on development methodologies, we recommend migrating your plugin methods (functions) to your mod file first. This can be done with a simple copy and paste.