---
title: Write an external plugin
description: Write a Telegraf external plugin in any language, run it through an execd plugin, and submit it to the community external plugin list.
url: https://docs.influxdata.com/telegraf/v1/configure_plugins/external_plugins/write_external_plugin/
estimated_tokens: 521
product: Telegraf Enterprise
version: v1
publisher: InfluxData
canonical: https://docs.influxdata.com/telegraf/v1/configure_plugins/external_plugins/write_external_plugin/
date: '2026-08-12T10:41:34-06:00'
lastmod: '2026-08-12T10:41:34-06:00'
---

Set up your plugin to use it with `execd`.

> [!Note]
> For listed[external plugins](https://github.com/influxdata/telegraf/blob/master/EXTERNAL_PLUGINS.md),
> the author of the external plugin is responsible for the maintenance and
> feature development of the plugin.
> Expect users to open issues on the plugin’s own GitHub repository.

1. Write your Telegraf plugin.
   Follow InfluxData’s best practices for the plugin type:
   * [Input plugins](https://github.com/influxdata/telegraf/blob/master/docs/INPUTS.md)
   * [Processor plugins](https://github.com/influxdata/telegraf/blob/master/docs/PROCESSORS.md)
   * [Aggregator plugins](https://github.com/influxdata/telegraf/blob/master/docs/AGGREGATORS.md)
   * [Output plugins](https://github.com/influxdata/telegraf/blob/master/docs/OUTPUTS.md)

2. If your plugin is written in Go, follow the steps to[use the `execd` shim](/telegraf/v1/configure_plugins/external_plugins/shim/).
3. Add usage and development instructions in the homepage of your
   repository for running your plugin with its respective `execd` plugin.
   Refer to[openvpn](https://github.com/danielnelson/telegraf-execd-openvpn#usage)and [awsalarms](https://github.com/vipinvkmenon/awsalarms#installation)for examples.
   Include the following steps:
   * How to download the release package for your platform or how to clone
     the binary for your external plugin
   * Commands to build your binary
   * Location to edit your `telegraf.conf`
   * Configuration to run your external plugin with[inputs.execd](/telegraf/v1/input-plugins/execd/),[processors.execd](/telegraf/v1/processor-plugins/execd/), or[outputs.execd](/telegraf/v1/output-plugins/execd/)

4. Submit your plugin by opening a PR to add it to the[external plugins list](https://github.com/influxdata/telegraf/blob/master/EXTERNAL_PLUGINS.md).
   Include the plugin name, a link to the plugin repository, and a short
   description of the plugin.

#### Related

* [](/telegraf/v1/input-plugins/execd/)
* [](/telegraf/v1/processor-plugins/execd/)
* [](/telegraf/v1/output-plugins/execd/)