update plugin docs index
(plugins-index)=
# Plugins
-Plugins allow developers to customize and extend napari. This includes
-- Adding file format support with [readers](contributions-readers) and [writers](contributions-writers)
-- Adding custom [widgets](contributions-widgets) and user interface elements
-- Providing [sample data][contributions-sample_data]
-- Changing the look of napari with a color [theme](contributions-themes)
+```{note}
+These pages describe the process of **building** a plugin.
-```{admonition} Introducing npe2
-:class: important
-We introduced a new plugin engine ([`npe2`][npe2]) in December 2021.
-
-Plugins targeting the first generation `napari-plugin-engine` will
-continue to work for at least the first half of 2022, but we
-recommend migrating to `npe2`.
-See the [migration guide](npe2-migration-guide) for details.
+If you are looking to **use** published plugins, see the [guide on installing
+plugins](find-and-install-plugins), or head to the [napari hub][napari_hub] to
+search for plugins.
```
+Plugins allow developers to customize and extend napari. This includes
+
+- Adding file format support with [readers] and [writers]
+- Adding custom [widgets] and user interface elements
+- Providing [sample data][sample_data]
+- Changing the look of napari with a color [theme]
+
Here you can find:
- How to [build, test and publish a plugin](how-to-build-a-plugin).
- Where to find [guides](./guides) to help get you started.
-- [Best practices](best-practices) when developing plugins.
+- [Best practices](./best_practices) when developing plugins.
-If you are looking to use published plugins, see the [guide on installing
-plugins](find-and-install-plugins), or head to the [napari hub][napari_hub] to
-search for plugins.
+```{admonition} Introducing npe2
+:class: important
+We introduced a new plugin engine [`npe2`][npe2] in December 2021.
-(how-to-build-a-plugin)=
+Unless otherwise stated, most of the documentation herein pertains
+to the new npe2 format (which uses a static `napari.yaml` manifest)
+Plugins targeting the first generation `napari-plugin-engine`
+(using `@napari_hook_implementation` decorators) will
+continue to work for at least the first half of 2022, but we
+recommend migrating to `npe2`. See the
+[migration guide](npe2-migration-guide) for details.
+```
+
+(how-to-build-a-plugin)=
## How to build plugins
If you're just getting started with napari plugins, try our
@@ -54,3 +62,8 @@ Submit issues to the [napari github repository][napari_issues].
[napari_issues]: https://github.com/napari/napari/issues/new/choose
[napari_zulip]: https://napari.zulipchat.com/
[napari_hub]: https://napari-hub.org
+[readers]: ./contributions.html#contributions-readers
+[writers]: ./contributions.html#contributions-writers
+[widgets]: ./contributions.html#contributions-widgets
+[sample_data]: ./contributions.html#contributions-sample-data
+[theme]: ./contributions.html#contributions-themes
