Consistent plugin settings

[Ockingshay 3]

I didn't realise until googling something else that plugin settings can either be along the left side under advanced OR by right-clicking on installed plugins.

 

Can all plugin settings locations be consistent so that any plugin that can be tweaked has its settings in the lefthand pane?

Edited September 23, 2025 by Ockingshay

[GrimReaper 4739]

3 hours ago, Ockingshay said:

Can all plugin settings locations be consistent so that any plugin that can be tweaked has its settings in the lefthand pane?

That is up to the plugin Dev, not Emby, if you want that feature for any particular plugin you have to request it in respective plugin thread. 

ALL plugins are always available under Plugins tab. 

Edited September 23, 2025 by GrimReaper

[Ockingshay 3]

Shouldn’t emby force the requirement to plugin devs, particularly on plugins that are part of the official emby premiere feature’s list?

I’m only bringing these up as I use this software for the first time to try and improve user experience.

Edited September 23, 2025 by Ockingshay

[GrimReaper 4739]

3 hours ago, Ockingshay said:

Shouldn’t emby force the requirement to plugin devs

Why?

[Ockingshay 3]

Because when you install plugins, the list on the left is populated by some, which automatically makes the user think that that is where settings for plugins live. But actually settings can live in that left pane and/or by right-clicking the installed plugin and so like me, I didn’t realise there were additional settings until I stumbled across it.

 

it’s not consistent and counterintuitive. Doesn’t matter which way is decided, but it should at least be consistent. 

Edited September 23, 2025 by Ockingshay

[GrimReaper 4739]

That's up to the Devs to decide, but personally I prefer it the way it is now, I'd even dump some of the plugins from the sidebar that have their entries there atm to have a more condensed list and not an overcrowded one for ease of access. But that's just personal preference. 

[Ockingshay 3]

But that’s only because you know the right-click option is there. The choice is irrelevant, it’s consistency that matters.

[GrimReaper 4739]

That's a matter of perspective, consistency just for consistency'sake doesn't cut it if impedes functionality/ease of access. Not all plugins warrant sidebar entry, IMHO, even if they do have certain settings to configure they're literally fire-and-forget, I haven't touched some of them in years and they'd just be bloating the list. In an ideal world, each plugin would have a toggle "Display in sidebar" in Plugins tab thumb so users can tailor those entries themselves - we're not there yet, though. 

[Ockingshay 3]

I see your point A tough one to balance consistency with bloat…

When I first set it up I was using an iPad, so it didn’t show the ellipsis like it does as you hover the mouse over them. I also didn’t think to click on them as a single click to access the settings because I saw the list on the left pane once some were installed.

 

it would actually make more sense then to stop them being added to the left pane and just be kept within the “my plugins” pane.

 

to get more pedantic about it, like where it has “installed” in the “catalog” tab, perhaps it should have “settings” in “my plugins” tab.

 

(I’m very aware this is an insignificant UI tweak on the grand scheme of things, but this attention to detail contributes to overall accessibility)
 

Edited September 23, 2025 by Ockingshay

[Ockingshay 3]

But then where would you put uninstall? this is why I’m not a UI expert and can see why it’s hidden behind right-click!

 

I think it’s the left pane that’s causing the issue.

[ebr 16169]

3 hours ago, Ockingshay said:

But that’s only because you know the right-click option is there.

Hi. You don't have to right click.  A single normal click will take you right to the plug-in settings. 

[Ockingshay 3]

Thanks for the replies both;

 

Yep, realised that as well, after I found the right-click. There’s multiple options to access the settings but my point is that they only become apparent once it’s known that the left pane isn’t the only location, which is what’s presented to an unfamiliar user when they get installed.

Edited September 23, 2025 by Ockingshay

[Luke 42077]

Do we want every single plugin in the advanced menu? That seems like it would be too many to me.

[brothom 177]

I agree with this post. Within ecommerce platforms I've also seen the transition from "custom settings" towards standardised configurations at the same place in stead of being accessible (or exclusively) accessed from multiple places.

Eventhough a dev might want something, it's Emby platform "responsibility" in the end and Emby is (held) responsible for usability by its users like in this case, causing confusing on where to find something like settings.

18 hours ago, Luke said:

Do we want every single plugin in the advanced menu? That seems like it would be too many to me.

I would personally prefer settings ONLY to be ALWAYS accessible via the plugins overview (i.e. rightclick) which is where I would expect them. I want to do a plugin thing, so I have to navigate to the plugin to do the thing. It also separates the plugin functionality / configuration from native Emby settings.

The same goes for other platforms, nowadays "apps" can mostly/only be managed via a dedicated "apps"-listing, which is always centralized within that platform.

Having one way to do one thing is usually the best way. Having multiple ways to do one things is usually confusing.

Edited September 24, 2025 by brothom