# How to Configure Plugin Categories in OpenAI Plugins

> Learn how to configure OpenAI plugin categories by editing the plugin.json manifest file. Easily organize your plugins and improve discoverability.

- Repository: [OpenAI/plugins](https://github.com/openai/plugins)
- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-06-28

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**OpenAI plugin categories are configured by setting the `interface.category` property in each plugin's [`plugin.json`](https://github.com/openai/plugins/blob/main/plugin.json) manifest file located at `plugins/<plugin-name>/.codex-plugin/plugin.json`.**

The openai/plugins repository defines how plugins appear in the OpenAI Plugin Marketplace through structured manifest files. Properly configuring the category ensures your plugin surfaces in the correct browse sections and reaches users searching for specific functionality.

## Where Plugin Categories Are Defined

In the openai/plugins repository, category metadata resides in the plugin manifest. The marketplace infrastructure reads this file during the build and indexing process to determine where the plugin appears in the marketplace UI and filtering systems.

### The interface.category Property

The category value is stored in the `interface.category` field of the JSON manifest. This string property sits inside the top-level `interface` object and accepts values that the marketplace uses for organization and discoverability.

### Standard Category Taxonomy

While the `category` field accepts free-form strings, the repository follows a shared taxonomy to maintain marketplace organization. Standard values include:

- Developer Tools
- Communication
- Finance
- Productivity
- Data & Analytics
- Creativity
- Education & Research
- Business & Operations
- Travel

Using these established values ensures your plugin appears alongside related tools rather than isolated in uncategorized sections.

## Step-by-Step Configuration

Follow these steps to set or update a plugin's category in the openai/plugins repository:

1. Open the plugin's manifest file at `plugins/<plugin-name>/.codex-plugin/plugin.json`.
2. Locate the `interface` object, which contains UI metadata such as `displayName` and `shortDescription`.
3. Add or modify the `"category"` property with your desired value, such as `"Developer Tools"`.
4. Commit the changes to the repository. The marketplace will reflect the new category during the next indexing cycle.

## Example Configuration

The MagicPath plugin demonstrates proper category configuration in its manifest file at [`plugins/magicpath/.codex-plugin/plugin.json`](https://github.com/openai/plugins/blob/main/plugins/magicpath/.codex-plugin/plugin.json):

```json
{
  "name": "magicpath",
  "version": "0.1.1",
  "description": "Use MagicPath to find, inspect, install, create, and edit UI components from Codex.",
  "interface": {
    "displayName": "MagicPath",
    "shortDescription": "Find, install, and author MagicPath UI components from Codex",
    "category": "Developer Tools",
    "capabilities": ["Interactive", "Read", "Write"],
    "websiteURL": "https://www.magicpath.ai/",
    "privacyPolicyURL": "https://www.magicpath.ai/privacy",
    "termsOfServiceURL": "https://www.magicpath.ai/terms"
  }
}

```

The `category` field sits alongside other interface metadata, defining where users will find this tool when browsing the Developer Tools section.

## Best Practices for Category Selection

- **Match primary functionality**: Choose the category that describes your plugin's main use case rather than secondary features.
- **Use standard taxonomy**: Stick to the established category strings to ensure proper grouping with similar plugins.
- **Avoid vague terms**: Specific categories like "Developer Tools" improve discoverability more than generic alternatives like "Utilities".

## Summary

- Plugin categories are defined in the `interface.category` field of `plugins/<plugin-name>/.codex-plugin/plugin.json`.
- The openai/plugins repository uses standard taxonomy strings like "Developer Tools", "Finance", and "Productivity" to organize the marketplace.
- Changes to the category field are picked up during the next indexing cycle after commit.
- Consistent categorization is critical for plugin discoverability in the OpenAI Plugin Marketplace.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What file contains the plugin category?

The category is defined in the [`plugin.json`](https://github.com/openai/plugins/blob/main/plugin.json) manifest file located at `plugins/<plugin-name>/.codex-plugin/plugin.json` within the openai/plugins repository. Specifically, it is the `interface.category` property inside this JSON file.

### Can I use custom categories?

While the `interface.category` field accepts any string value, the marketplace infrastructure expects standard taxonomy values such as "Developer Tools" or "Communication". Using custom categories may result in your plugin appearing in an uncategorized section or being filtered out of standard browsing views.

### How long until category changes appear in the marketplace?

Category updates are reflected during the next indexing cycle after you commit changes to the repository. This process is handled automatically by the OpenAI Plugin infrastructure when it reads the updated manifest files.

### What happens if I don't specify a category?

Omitting the `category` property may result in your plugin being excluded from category-based filtering in the marketplace UI, significantly reducing discoverability. The field is optional in the schema but highly recommended for proper marketplace placement.