---
title: Install plugins
description: Install Elasticsearch plugins on self-managed package and archive installs with the elasticsearch-plugin CLI.
url: https://docs-v3-preview.elastic.dev/elastic/docs-content/pull/7959/deploy-manage/plugins-and-bundles/self-managed/install-plugins
products:
  - Elasticsearch
applies_to:
  - Self-managed Elastic deployments: Generally available
---

# Install plugins
Each plugin typically documents its own installation requirements. This page covers the `elasticsearch-plugin` CLI for self-managed package and archive installs.
If you run Elasticsearch with the [official Docker image](https://docs-v3-preview.elastic.dev/elastic/docs-content/pull/7959/deploy-manage/deploy/self-managed/install-elasticsearch-with-docker), use the declarative [configuration file](https://docs-v3-preview.elastic.dev/elastic/docs-content/pull/7959/deploy-manage/plugins-and-bundles/self-managed/manage-plugins-using-configuration-file) instead of running `elasticsearch-plugin install` directly.
Refer to [Plugins and bundles](https://docs-v3-preview.elastic.dev/elastic/docs-content/pull/7959/deploy-manage/plugins-and-bundles) for options that apply to other deployment types.
The `elasticsearch-plugin` tool is located in the `$ES_HOME/bin` directory by default, but it might be in a different location depending on which Elasticsearch package you installed. For more information, see [Plugins directory](https://docs-v3-preview.elastic.dev/elastic/docs-content/pull/7959/deploy-manage/plugins-and-bundles/self-managed/plugins-directory).
Run the following command to get usage instructions:
```sh
sudo bin/elasticsearch-plugin -h
```

<important>
  If Elasticsearch was installed using the deb or rpm package, then run `/usr/share/elasticsearch/bin/elasticsearch-plugin` as `root` so it can write to the appropriate files on disk. Otherwise, run `bin/elasticsearch-plugin` as the user that owns all of the Elasticsearch files.
</important>


## Core Elasticsearch plugins

Core Elasticsearch plugins can be installed as follows:
```sh
sudo bin/elasticsearch-plugin install [plugin_name]
```

For example, to install the core [ICU plugin](https://docs-v3-preview.elastic.dev/elastic/elasticsearch/tree/main/reference/elasticsearch-plugins/analysis-icu):
```sh
sudo bin/elasticsearch-plugin install analysis-icu
```

This command installs the version of the plugin that matches your Elasticsearch version and shows a progress bar while downloading.
After installation, restart each node before the plugin is available. Plugins that contribute custom cluster state metadata require a full cluster restart. You can still upgrade those plugins with a rolling restart.

## Next steps

- [Install from a custom URL or file system](https://docs-v3-preview.elastic.dev/elastic/docs-content/pull/7959/deploy-manage/plugins-and-bundles/self-managed/custom-url)
- [Install multiple plugins](https://docs-v3-preview.elastic.dev/elastic/docs-content/pull/7959/deploy-manage/plugins-and-bundles/self-managed/install-multiple-plugins)
- [List, remove, and update plugins](https://docs-v3-preview.elastic.dev/elastic/docs-content/pull/7959/deploy-manage/plugins-and-bundles/self-managed/list-remove-update)
- [Other command line parameters](https://docs-v3-preview.elastic.dev/elastic/docs-content/pull/7959/deploy-manage/plugins-and-bundles/self-managed/other-command-line-parameters)