On September 15, 2026, all Cloud Composer 1 versions and versions 2.0.x of Cloud Composer 2 will reach their planned end of life. You will not be able to use environments with these versions. We recommend planning migration to Cloud Composer 3. Cloud Composer 2 versions 2.1.x and later are still supported and are not impacted by this change.
This page describes how to install custom plugins in your Cloud Composer
environment.
Apache Airflow's plugin manager allows you to write custom in-house
Apache Airflow operators, hooks, sensors, or interfaces.
For more information, see custom plugins
in the Airflow documentation.
About custom plugins
When you create an environment, Cloud Composer
creates a Cloud Storage bucket and associates this
bucket with your environment. You use the plugins folder in your
environment's bucket to install custom plugins.
Before you begin
Your account must have a role that allows viewing and
modifying your environment's bucket contents.
This installation method applies only to
Airflow plugins. For example, you
cannot use this method to install common Python modules or other libraries.
ENVIRONMENT_NAME with the name of the environment.
LOCATION with the region where the environment is located.
PATH_TO_LOCAL_FILE with the path of the file to upload.
(Optional) PATH_IN_SUBFOLDER with the subfolder path. Use
the --destination argument to upload a plugin to a subfolder in
the plugins folder. Otherwise, omit the --destination argument.
View the list of plugins
Console
In the Google Cloud console, go to the Environments page.
ENVIRONMENT_NAME with the name of the environment.
LOCATION with the region where the environment is located.
PATH_TO_LOCAL_DESTINATION with the destination for downloaded file.
(Optional) --source is an option to download only one plugin.
PATH_IN_FOLDER is the folder path.
Disable web server plugins
In Cloud Composer 3, if you experience problems with Airflow UI, you can
disable web server plugins without having to remove them from the
environment's bucket.
gcloud
The following Google Cloud CLI arguments disable and enable web server
plugins:
--no-support-web-server-plugins: disable web server plugins
--support-web-server-plugins: enable web server plugins
To disable web server plugins, run the following
Google Cloud CLI command:
You can disable web server plugins without deleting them. For more
information, see Disable web server plugins.
A newly-uploaded plugin is not visible in Airflow UI
If you use Airflow UI Access Control then the newly
uploaded plugin might not be visible in Airflow UI. To address this issue, ask
Airflow UI Administrator to configure access to the newly uploaded plugin or
assign yourself the Admin role in Airflow UI.
[[["Easy to understand","easyToUnderstand","thumb-up"],["Solved my problem","solvedMyProblem","thumb-up"],["Other","otherUp","thumb-up"]],[["Hard to understand","hardToUnderstand","thumb-down"],["Incorrect information or sample code","incorrectInformationOrSampleCode","thumb-down"],["Missing the information/samples I need","missingTheInformationSamplesINeed","thumb-down"],["Other","otherDown","thumb-down"]],["Last updated 2025-09-03 UTC."],[[["\u003cp\u003eCloud Composer allows you to install custom Airflow plugins by uploading them to the \u003ccode\u003eplugins\u003c/code\u003e folder in your environment's Cloud Storage bucket, enabling the use of custom operators, hooks, sensors, or interfaces.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003ePlugins are installed by copying the plugin code to the \u003ccode\u003eplugins\u003c/code\u003e folder of your environment's bucket, accessible through both the Google Cloud console and the \u003ccode\u003egcloud\u003c/code\u003e command-line tool.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eYou can view, delete, and download installed plugins using the Google Cloud console or the \u003ccode\u003egcloud\u003c/code\u003e command-line tool by navigating the \u003ccode\u003eplugins\u003c/code\u003e folder in your environment's Cloud Storage bucket.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eWeb server plugins can be disabled or enabled in Cloud Composer 3 environments using the \u003ccode\u003e--no-support-web-server-plugins\u003c/code\u003e or \u003ccode\u003e--support-web-server-plugins\u003c/code\u003e flags with the \u003ccode\u003egcloud\u003c/code\u003e command, or with the API request via \u003ccode\u003eweb_server_plugins_mode\u003c/code\u003e to prevent issues with the Airflow UI.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eWhen you upload a new plugin, it is not reloaded by default, and in certain cases, it may not immediately be visible in the Airflow UI due to Airflow UI Access Control, requiring admin configuration for visibility.\u003c/p\u003e\n"]]],[],null,["# Install custom plugins\n\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\n\n**Cloud Composer 3** \\| [Cloud Composer 2](/composer/docs/composer-2/install-plugins \"View this page for Cloud Composer 2\") \\| [Cloud Composer 1](/composer/docs/composer-1/install-plugins \"View this page for Cloud Composer 1\")\n\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\n\u003cbr /\u003e\n\nThis page describes how to install custom plugins in your Cloud Composer\nenvironment.\n\nApache Airflow's plugin manager allows you to write custom in-house\nApache Airflow operators, hooks, sensors, or interfaces.\nFor more information, see [custom plugins](https://airflow.apache.org/docs/apache-airflow/stable/authoring-and-scheduling/plugins.html)\nin the Airflow documentation.\n\nAbout custom plugins\n--------------------\n\nWhen you create an environment, Cloud Composer\n[creates a Cloud Storage bucket](/composer/docs/composer-3/cloud-storage) and associates this\nbucket with your environment. You use the `plugins` folder in your\nenvironment's bucket to install custom plugins.\n\nBefore you begin\n----------------\n\n- Your account [must have a role](/composer/docs/composer-3/access-control#user-account) that allows viewing and modifying your environment's bucket contents.\n- This installation method applies only to [Airflow plugins](https://airflow.apache.org/docs/apache-airflow/stable/authoring-and-scheduling/plugins.html). For example, you cannot use this method to install common Python modules or other libraries.\n- Plugins must conform to the [Airflow plugins template](https://airflow.apache.org/docs/apache-airflow/stable/authoring-and-scheduling/plugins.html#example) guidelines.\n\nInstall a plugin\n----------------\n\nTo install a custom plugin into your Cloud Composer environment,\ncopy the plugin code to the `plugins` folder in your environment's bucket.\n| **Note:** After the plugins are loaded, they are never reloaded, except the UI plugins in the web server. You might need to restart the web server or the scheduler processes manually. Otherwise, a scheduler only restarts after the [`[scheduler]num_runs`](https://airflow.apache.org/docs/apache-airflow/stable/configurations-ref.html#num-runs), which is set to 5000 by default.\n\nTo install a plugin: \n\n### Console\n\n1. In the Google Cloud console, go to the **Environments** page.\n\n [Go to Environments](https://console.cloud.google.com/composer/environments)\n2. Find your environment and follow the **DAGs** link.\n\n3. Go one folder level up, then navigate to the `plugins/` folder.\n\n4. Upload your plugin files. For more information about uploading objects,\n see [Uploading objects](/storage/docs/uploading-objects).\n\n### gcloud\n\nUse the following `gcloud` command: \n\n gcloud composer environments storage plugins import \\\n --environment \u003cvar translate=\"no\"\u003eENVIRONMENT_NAME\u003c/var\u003e \\\n --location \u003cvar translate=\"no\"\u003eLOCATION\u003c/var\u003e \\\n --source \u003cvar translate=\"no\"\u003ePATH_TO_LOCAL_FILE\u003c/var\u003e \\\n --destination \u003cvar translate=\"no\"\u003ePATH_IN_SUBFOLDER\u003c/var\u003e\n\nReplace:\n\n- `ENVIRONMENT_NAME` with the name of the environment.\n- `LOCATION` with the region where the environment is located.\n- `PATH_TO_LOCAL_FILE` with the path of the file to upload.\n- (Optional) `PATH_IN_SUBFOLDER` with the subfolder path. Use the `--destination` argument to upload a plugin to a subfolder in the `plugins` folder. Otherwise, omit the `--destination` argument.\n\nView the list of plugins\n------------------------\n\n### Console\n\n1. In the Google Cloud console, go to the **Environments** page.\n\n [Go to Environments](https://console.cloud.google.com/composer/environments)\n2. Find your environment and follow the **DAGs** link.\n\n3. Go one folder level up, then navigate to the `plugins/` folder.\n\n4. View the plugin files.\n\n### gcloud\n\nUse the following `gcloud` command: \n\n gcloud composer environments storage plugins list \\\n --environment \u003cvar translate=\"no\"\u003eENVIRONMENT_NAME\u003c/var\u003e \\\n --location \u003cvar translate=\"no\"\u003eLOCATION\u003c/var\u003e\n\nReplace:\n\n- `ENVIRONMENT_NAME` with the name of the environment.\n- `LOCATION` with the region where the environment is located.\n\nDelete a plugin\n---------------\n\nTo delete a plugin from your Cloud Composer environment,\ndelete the plugin code from the `plugins` folder in the environment's bucket.\n| **Note:** You can [disable web server plugins](#disable-webserver-plugins) without deleting them.\n\nTo delete a plugin: \n\n### Console\n\n1. In the Google Cloud console, go to the **Environments** page.\n\n [Go to Environments](https://console.cloud.google.com/composer/environments)\n2. Find your environment and follow the **DAGs** link.\n\n3. Go one folder level up, then navigate to the `plugins/` folder.\n\n4. Delete the plugin files. For more information about deleting objects,\n see [Deleting objects](/storage/docs/deleting-objects).\n\n### gcloud\n\nUse the following `gcloud` command: \n\n gcloud composer environments storage plugins delete \\\n --environment \u003cvar translate=\"no\"\u003eENVIRONMENT_NAME\u003c/var\u003e \\\n --location \u003cvar translate=\"no\"\u003eLOCATION\u003c/var\u003e \\\n \u003cvar translate=\"no\"\u003ePLUGIN_TO_DELETE\u003c/var\u003e\n\nDownload plugins\n----------------\n\nTo download plugins, choose an option: \n\n### Console\n\n1. In the Google Cloud console, go to the **Environments** page.\n\n [Go to Environments](https://console.cloud.google.com/composer/environments)\n2. Find your environment and follow the **DAGs** link.\n\n3. Go one folder level up, then navigate to the `plugins/` folder.\n\n4. Download the plugin files. For more information about deleting objects,\n see [Downloading objects](/storage/docs/downloading-objects).\n\n### gcloud\n\nUse the following `gcloud` command: \n\n gcloud composer environments storage plugins export \\\n --environment \u003cvar translate=\"no\"\u003eENVIRONMENT_NAME\u003c/var\u003e \\\n --location \u003cvar translate=\"no\"\u003eLOCATION\u003c/var\u003e \\\n --destination \u003cvar translate=\"no\"\u003ePATH_TO_LOCAL_DESTINATION\u003c/var\u003e \\\n --source \u003cvar translate=\"no\"\u003ePATH_IN_FOLDER\u003c/var\u003e\n\nReplace:\n\n- `ENVIRONMENT_NAME` with the name of the environment.\n- `LOCATION` with the region where the environment is located.\n- `PATH_TO_LOCAL_DESTINATION` with the destination for downloaded file.\n- (Optional) `--source` is an option to download only one plugin. `PATH_IN_FOLDER` is the folder path.\n\nDisable web server plugins\n--------------------------\n\nIn Cloud Composer 3, if you experience problems with Airflow UI, you can\ndisable web server plugins without having to remove them from the\nenvironment's bucket.\n**Note:** You can also disable web server plugins when you [create an environment](/composer/docs/composer-3/create-environments). \n\n### gcloud\n\nThe following Google Cloud CLI arguments disable and enable web server\nplugins:\n\n- `--no-support-web-server-plugins`: disable web server plugins\n- `--support-web-server-plugins`: enable web server plugins\n\nTo disable web server plugins, run the following\nGoogle Cloud CLI command: \n\n gcloud beta composer environments update \u003cvar translate=\"no\"\u003eENVIRONMENT_NAME\u003c/var\u003e \\\n --location \u003cvar translate=\"no\"\u003eLOCATION\u003c/var\u003e \\\n --no-support-web-server-plugins\n\nTo enable web server plugins, run the following\nGoogle Cloud CLI command: \n\n gcloud beta composer environments update \u003cvar translate=\"no\"\u003eENVIRONMENT_NAME\u003c/var\u003e \\\n --location \u003cvar translate=\"no\"\u003eLOCATION\u003c/var\u003e \\\n --support-web-server-plugins\n\nReplace the following:\n\n- `ENVIRONMENT_NAME`: the name of the environment\n- `LOCATION`: the region where the environment is located\n\n### API\n\n1. Create an [`environments.patch`](/composer/docs/reference/rest/v1beta1/projects.locations.environments/patch) API request.\n\n2. In this request:\n\n 1. In the `updateMask` parameter, specify\n the `config.software_config.web_server_plugins_mode` mask.\n\n 2. In the request body, in the `web_server_plugins_mode` field:\n\n - Specify `PLUGINS_DISABLED` to disable web server plugins.\n - Specify `PLUGINS_ENABLED` to enable web server plugins.\n\nExample (disable plugins): \n\n // PATCH https://composer.googleapis.com/v1beta1/projects/example-project/\n // locations/us-central1/environments/example-environment?updateMask=\n // config.software_config.web_server_plugins_mode\n\n \"config\": {\n \"softwareConfig\": {\n \"web_server_plugins_mode\": \"PLUGINS_DISABLED\"\n }\n }\n\nExample (enable plugins): \n\n // PATCH https://composer.googleapis.com/v1beta1/projects/example-project/\n // locations/us-central1/environments/example-environment?updateMask=\n // config.software_config.web_server_plugins_mode\n\n \"config\": {\n \"softwareConfig\": {\n \"web_server_plugins_mode\": \"PLUGINS_ENABLED\"\n }\n }\n\nTroubleshoot plugin issues\n--------------------------\n\n### Plugins cause problems with Airflow UI\n\nYou can disable web server plugins without deleting them. For more\ninformation, see [Disable web server plugins](#disable-webserver-plugins).\n\n### A newly-uploaded plugin is not visible in Airflow UI\n\nIf you use [Airflow UI Access Control](/composer/docs/composer-3/airflow-rbac) then the newly\nuploaded plugin might not be visible in Airflow UI. To address this issue, ask\nAirflow UI Administrator to configure access to the newly uploaded plugin or\nassign yourself the `Admin` role in Airflow UI.\n\nWhat's next\n-----------\n\n- [Data stored in Cloud Storage](/composer/docs/composer-3/cloud-storage)\n- [Manage DAGs](/composer/docs/composer-3/manage-dags)"]]