The plugin directory is built right into your dashboard. You can search it, see how well each plugin is kept up, and install one without ever leaving your site.

## Before you start

- An administrator account on your WordPress site.
- A rough idea of what you want the plugin to do — that's plenty to search with.

## Steps

### Step 1: Open the plugin directory

In the left-hand menu, click **Plugins**, then click **Add Plugin** at the top of the screen. The **Add Plugins** screen has the whole directory in it — every plugin is only a search away.

![Open the plugin directory](https://wordpress.supportpages.io/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTA0NzAsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--4e81ef660df2ab5e5d8a15beada2394294f3fad9/block_open-the-plugin-directory.png)

### Step 2: Search for a plugin and install it

Type what you need into the **Search Plugins** box — the results update as you type, and **Keyword** already looks through names and descriptions. Each card shows how the plugin is rated, its **Active Installations** count, its **Last Updated:** date, and whether it's **Compatible** with your WordPress. When you've found the one you want, click **Install Now** — WordPress fetches it for you, with nothing to download and no files to upload.

![Search for a plugin and install it](https://wordpress.supportpages.io/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTA0NzEsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--cb202fa4e8d032062dd8e70e7db1bf2bf591fa4f/block_search-for-a-plugin.png)

### Step 3: Turn the plugin on

Once the plugin is on your site, the button on its card changes to **Activate**. Click it and the plugin starts working straight away.

![Turn the plugin on](https://wordpress.supportpages.io/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTA0NzIsInB1ciI6ImJsb2JfaWQifX0=--b40c6fc6589903834a6bceaadda3e66cd1f7ac80/block_activate-the-plugin.png)

## Tips

- Not sure what to search for? **Popular** and **Recommended** show what other people are using.
- Every plugin can be turned off or removed later from **Installed Plugins**, so it's safe to try one out.
- Keep an eye on **Plugins** in the left-hand menu — when an update is ready, a number appears beside it.

## Summary

That's the whole job: open the directory, search for what you need, check the card, and install it. The plugin is working on your site the moment you turn it on.