What Is TYPO3 Extension? An Introduction Guide

TYPO3 is an Open-source CMS and is a free tool for creating websites that put you in control of the design, features, and content without requiring coding knowledge. Even though as we all know, TYPO3 is loaded with more than 9999+ features, yet with specific unique requirements that your business has, there comes a need to add those functionalities in form of TYPO3 extensions. In this beginner-friendly guide, we'll tell you everything that you need to know about TYPO3 extensions.

What Is TYPO3 Extension? An Introduction Guide

With our 10+ experience with TYPO3 CMS, we come across a lot of questions regarding TYPO3 extensions. We’ve tried to sum up them all in this guide to keep you updated with everything you need to know about TYPO3 extensions in 2020. Let’s start!

TYPO3 is an Open-source CMS and is a free tool for creating websites that put you in control of the design, features, and content without requiring coding knowledge.

Even though as we all know, TYPO3 is loaded with more than 9999+ features, yet with specific unique requirements that your business has, there comes a need to add those functionalities in form of TYPO3 extensions.  In this beginner-friendly guide, we'll tell you everything that you need to know about TYPO3 extensions.

 

What is the TYPO3 extension?

A TYPO3 extension is a piece of functionality code that is integrated into the TYPO3 website to perform a specific task that your default TYPO3 system lacks. These TYPO3 extension extends the functionality of your TYPO3 website and adds new functionality or boosts the feature to your TYPO3 website that is needed.

These TYPO3 extensions are written in the PHP programming language and configured in such a way to achieve various functionalities like accessibility, design, SEO, TYPO3 shop, and much more.

These TYPO3 extensions can really make big differences to your TYPO3 website.  Let me explain how, say, for example, if you want to add a TYPO3 slider to your blank TYPO3 website, then you just need to choose and install your desired TYPO3 slider extension to your TYPO3 website instead of writing manual code to develop the functionality you need. 

Or, if you want to add minor features like the Instagram feed to your TYPO3 website, then you can! Some TYPO3 extensions don’t reflect their functionalities in the front-end but they work very well at TYPO3 backend. For example, to improve your TYPO3 website’s performance, you may have your TYPO3 extensions working in the backend.

How do TYPO3 extensions work?

Working with the TYPO3 Plugin is very simple. Basically, to start using TYPO3 extensions on your TYPO3 website, you’ll need to:

  • Find a relevant TYPO3 Plugin that you’re interested in and most suits your feature requirement
  • Install that TYPO3 Plugin on your TYPO3 website following instructions from documentation guide
  • Configure the TYPO3 Plugin inside your TYPO3 Backend according to your needs

Where can I find TYPO3 extensions?

Well, you can find TYPO3 extensions easily, depending on whether you want a free or premium TYPO3 extension.

With the free TYPO3 extension, you can install and use the extension for free, though sometimes some features are limited and you need to purchase the PRO version for the extra functionalities.

On the other hand, premium TYPO3 extensions, obviously, cost money, but always offer better features as a result.

Here are some of the best places to find TYPO3 extensions:

  • TER (TYPO3 Extension Repository) - TYPO3 Plugins are available for free from TER, you can search and browse for extensions in the extension repository by category, name, or keyword. 
  • T3Planet (TYPO3 Marketplace) - T3Planet is another destination where you can find amazing Free as well as Premium TYPO3 extensions to boost up functionalities of your TYPO3 website. You can find actual options and reasons to choose between Free and Pro TYPO3 extensions
  • Third-party TYPO3 developers – many TYPO3 developers sell their TYPO3 Plugins on their own websites, using Google is often a good way to find plugins.

Should I pay for TYPO3 extensions?

TYPO3 being an Open-source CMS, there are many users with various needs that lead to the development of many free and premium TYPO3 plugins for TYPO3 website owners. However, many times the free TYPO3 plugins are available but consist of a lot of problems, are unfinished or abandoned by the developer, lack current as well as future upgrade support.

Premium TYPO3 plugins come at a cost, but that cost provides additional features, top-notch support options, and regular updates. These TYPO3 plugins are fully complete and provide users with advanced functionality and are always maintained for future TYPO3 releases.

At T3Planet all of our Free and Premium TYPO3 plugins offer helpful email and live chat support as well as detailed documentation. In addition, these TYPO3 plugins are constantly updated and improved with new features and are purchased once for life-time use.

How much does an extension cost?

For the premium TYPO3 extensions you purchase for your TYPO3 website, the price may range between extensions, but most options fall somewhere between $50 and a few hundred dollars. Additionally, aside from the extension itself, users still need to consider the potential costs for support, installation, and update services.

For example, taking an example of T3 Terminal: All purchases come with free 1-month free support, lifetime updates, 15 days money-back guarantee, and the choice to pay for assisted installation services.

What points to consider before selecting & installing the TYPO3 extension?

When you are integrating a TYPO3 plugins, you are adding third-party code to your TYPO3 website, and that's why you should be careful about which TYPO3 extensions you need to install.

The wrong TYPO3 plugins could:

  • Cause an error on your site
  • Open an unintentional vulnerability that affects your TYPO3 website's security
  • Slow down your site
  • Intentionally introduce malicious code

To avoid these problems:

  • Try to use TYPO3 plugins from reputable directories (like TER or T3Terminal)
  • Check compatibility with your existing TYPO3 website
  • Read documentation
  • Make sure bug fixes are updated frequently
  • Check downloads and reviews before installing it
  • If there are updates to improve security and functionality
  • Check for the last time the extension was updated to make sure it’s still maintained

Will using more extensions on my website, slow it down?

Extensions can slow down the performance of your TYPO3 website, but they don’t have to. 

If your TYPO3 code is organized smoothly, and your installed extension is compatible with other extensions, your website will have functionality without any drawbacks. But if there is a poorly coded TYPO3 plugins or installation conflicts, it can degrade your TYPO3 website performance.

 It’s possible for these compatibility errors to occur between new and old extensions. So it’s always best practice to deactivate or delete not-used TYPO3 plugins for better TYPO3 performance as well as secure your site.

How to install TYPO3 extensions?

For every TYPO3 extension, you decide to use it for your TYPO3 website and would be having its own documentation that would contain TYPO3 extension installation instructions. 

Option 1. Directly install from backend 

In the backend:

  • Got to “ADMIN TOOLS” > “Extensions”
  • In the Docheader, select “Get Extensions”

Click “Update now”, the button is on the top right.

  • Enter the name of the extension in the search field
  • Click on “Go”
  • Click on the Action icon on the left for the extension:
  • “Import and Install”
  • Now the extension is installed, but not activated. To activate:
  • Choose “Installed Extensions” in the Docheader
  • Click on the icon with a “+” sign for your extension in the “A/D” column.

Option 2. Download from TER

When you download an extension from TER, you can follow the documentation guide that is available with the extension.

Option 3. Install through composer

The TYPO3 community loves composer based TYPO3 CMS installation. Most of the TYPO3 developers support composers to install their TYPO3 extensions. Here is the step-by-step guide to install TYPO3 extensions through composer.

Step 1. Check, Is a particular TYPO3 extension a support composer? Go to particular TYPO3 extension landing page eg., EXT:ns_backup at https://extensions.typo3.org/extension/ns_backup

Step 2. Get composer command from composer-support section

Step 3. Run composer command from your Terminal. It will automatically install and activate TYPO3 extension to Admin Tools > Extensions.

composer require nitsan/ns-backup

Check out how well-formatted is T3Terminal’s extension documentation with deep instructions to make sure even if you’re a non-technical user, you can install the extension on your own. 
Moreover, you can also refer to the TYPO3’s official documentation for the TYPO3 extension installation guideline.

How to uninstall/deactivate the TYPO3 extension?

To uninstall a TYPO3 extension from your TYPO3 system, you can 

  • Log into your TYPO3 Backend
  • Open the Extension Manager (‘Ext Manager’). 
  • From the menu choose ‘Install extensions’. 

You'll now get a list of all the extensions that are installed on your TYPO3 system. On the left side you see an icon, which shows the status of each extension, and what you can do:

  • Extension Install Icon with a plus sign: The extension is not installed. (Click once to install)
  • Extension Uninstall Icon with a minus sign: The extension is installed and running. (Click once to uninstall)
  • Next to the extension, you want to uninstall click on Extension UnInstall Icon. After some seconds the icon changes to the grey Extension Install Icon.

Should I upgrade TYPO3 extensions?

Yes, of course. 

Any TYPO3 extension that is downloaded and installed on your TYPO3 website should be updated since updates include increased features, security, fixes, and keep your website protected constantly. 

Hence it is recommended to check for TYPO3 extension updates and keep updating them on a regular basis.

How to develop a TYPO3 extension?

If you’re eager to develop a TYPO3 extension on your own and contribute to the amazing TYPO3 community, we highly appreciate your efforts. 

If you are a newbie with TYPO3 extension development, we highly recommend you to read this simplified TYPO3 extension development guide.

How to prepare documentation for the TYPO3 extension?

For the TYPO3 extension, you develop or use for your TYPO3 website, having its in-depth documentation is most important. The TYPO3 extension  documentation must have 

  • Extension overview
  • Front-end screens
  • Back-end screens
  • Installation instructions with screenshots
  • Extension configuration instructions 
  • Important notes and instructions to take care of while using the extension, if any
  • Contact details

Check out this TYPO3 Documentation guide. This contains conventions, coding guidelines, and best practices for TYPO3 documentation. For instance, you can refer to T3Planet’s documentation. It follows standard documentation practices.

How to contribute TYPO3 extension to TER?

When you have your amazing TYPO3 extension ready to publish at TER and share with lovely TYPO3 people, you have four possibilities to release an extension:

Finally, it’s time to publish it to TYPO3 Extensions Repository TER - An app store for TYPO3. You can easily do it by following any one of the following ways:

Option 1: Directly publishing to TYPO3.org

Step 1: Landing to https://extensions.typo3.org/ and log in with your user id.

Step 2: Go to My Extensions at https://extensions.typo3.org/my-extensions/

Step 3: Click on the Register extension key and it is highly recommended to do it before you start the development to make sure you have a unique key.

Step 4: Go to Managing extension keys and click on the “Upload” button. And submit your extension with a description of your version and upload the extension file (zip).

Option 2: TYPO3 Extension Utils

T3EXT Utils is a collection of CLI utilities for TYPO3 CMS Extension.

Step 1: Install and configure through Git at  https://github.com/etobi/Typo3ExtensionUtils#installation-with-git

Step 2: Upload extension to TER through  https://github.com/etobi/Typo3ExtensionUtils#upload-extension-to-ter

Option 3: Automatic publishing from Github to TER

One of the most awesome solutions by @NamelessCoder to automatically upload your extension from Github repository to TER. Recommend to see a complete solution at http://release.namelesscoder.net/ (It’s free and secure).

Option 4: Automatic publish through Travis CI

Check out detail solution and article by @helhum at https://insight.helhum.io/post/140850737265/automatically-upload-typo3-extensions-to-ter-with

Tips:

To display composer support and command, Go to My Extension and click on the “Edit” button for your particular extension. Tick “Published to Packagist” checkbox and set your composer name of the extension.

And that’s it!

And that wraps up our blog on the TYPO3 extension. If you’re looking for ideas on a helpful TYPO3 extension that you can add to your TYPO3 website, we regularly publish lists of high-quality TYPO3 extensions on the T3Planet blog, stay updated by signing to our TYPO3 newsletter.

I hope you enjoyed reading this blog. Did we miss anything? Do you have any questions regarding TYPO3 extensions? Do let us know! We're curious to hear them out.

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  • user
    Leonie Vogt 2020-07-10 at 2:47 pm
    Thanks for the beginner-friendly yet detailed post on TYPO3 Extensions.
    • user
      Anjali 2020-07-10 at 3:03 pm
      Dear Leonie Vogt, Thanks for your appreciation. Makes us happy to keep doing our best