We are proud to announce a new TYPO3 Extension Repository (TER). We have moved it from typo3.org to the new subdomain extensions.typo3.org and are working to make sure it has the same functionality as before.
What changes for you?
First of all, you'll need to go to the new domain. We have set up redirects to ensure that existing links to extension detail pages and downloads still work. When searching for extensions you will see that some filters are missing, as we have removed them for the time being. There are no changes to how you manage your extensions. You can still upload your new version via SOAP and the website form.
LDAP login
With the launch of extensions.typo3.org, you are now only able to log in if your user account is in LDAP. In case of problems (e.g. if you transferred an extension key to a non-existing user), please contact the typo3.org team.
Feedback
If you find issues with or have suggestions for the new page, please give us your feedback in GitLab. You can login easily with your typo3.org credentials.
The TYPO3 Extension Repository - background and looking ahead
The history of the TYPO3 Extension Repository (TER) mirrors that of the TYPO3 project. How did it start, where is it now, what is future of the TER?
The past
The TYPO3 Extension Repository was the first app store. It was originally built by Kasper Skårhøj himself back in 2003. All extensions were, of course, for free.
Over the years, the TER grew to nearly 10,000 extensions. During the last typo3.org relaunch in 2011 the TER was given a new frontend, which was implemented during the typo3.org relaunch week in Essen. The extension listing used a Solr index and also got a nice GUI for extension key management. The new TYPO3 4.5 Extension Manager no longer included these features.
The present
The new TER has three goals:
- Keep all functionalities
- Use an up-to-date TYPO3 version
- Use a responsive design
When creating the new TER, we used the old extensions (one for the base functionality and one for the TER frontend) but refactored them for TYPO3 v8 and PHP 7. Next, we reworked all the templates to be compatible with the new Bootstrap 4-based design. We are also now profiting from a new deployment workflow, using GitLab CI and Docker images.
The future
Aside from fixing bugs and design issues, we will also work on building new features for the TER. You will be able to give feedback on each page of the new TER. Please use it.
Over the next few months, we plan to stabilize the TER and merge the two extensions into one. After this we would like to add to the current upload options of website upload and SOAP. Many extension authors use these functions in their CI tools.
Over the next two years, we will simplify the process so an extension owner will only need to register an extension key and Git repository information. The TER will fetch the remaining information from the repository. When you create a new tag/release in this repository, TER will create a new TER version, too.
We also plan to:
- Read out composer.json for more information
- Provide "composer require <package>" commands for easy copy and paste
- Show a chart with downloads by time instead of downloads by version
- Improve the search to be more intuitive
Big thanks
There are plenty of people who should receive thanks, but they are too many to be named here.
I would like to thank all contributors from the typo3.org, server, and design teams, as well as all participants of the Design Contest for the input, time, and love given to this project.