Managing Plugins in Grafana

Introduction to Plugins

Grafana plugins are a powerful way to extend the capabilities of your dashboard. They can add new data sources, panels, and apps that allow you to visualize and interact with your data in various ways. This tutorial will guide you through the process of managing plugins in Grafana, including installation, updating, and removal.

Installing Plugins

There are two main ways to install plugins in Grafana: using the Grafana CLI or through the web interface.

Using Grafana CLI

The Grafana CLI is a command-line tool that makes it easy to install and manage plugins. To install a plugin via the CLI, you can use the following command:

For example, to install the grafana-clock-panel plugin, use:

Through the Web Interface

You can also install plugins directly from the Grafana web interface:

1. Log in to your Grafana instance.
2. Navigate to Configuration (gear icon) > Plugins.
3. Search for the desired plugin and click on it.
4. Click the Install button.

Updating Plugins

Keeping your plugins up to date is essential for security and performance. To update plugins, you can again use the Grafana CLI:

To update all installed plugins, use:

Alternatively, you can update plugins via the web interface:

1. Go to Configuration > Plugins.
2. For each plugin with an available update, you will see an Update button.
3. Click the Update button for each plugin you want to update.

Removing Plugins

If you no longer need a plugin, you can remove it using the Grafana CLI or the web interface.

Using Grafana CLI

To remove a plugin, run the following command:

Through the Web Interface

To remove a plugin from the web interface:

1. Navigate to Configuration > Plugins.
2. Select the plugin you wish to remove.
3. Click the Remove button.

Conclusion

Managing plugins in Grafana is a straightforward process that enhances the functionality of your dashboards. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you can easily install, update, and remove plugins as needed. Regularly managing your plugins will help you maintain your Grafana instance's performance and security.