Plugin system - dnd kit

Plugins extend the core drag and drop functionality by adding features like visual feedback, auto-scrolling, accessibility announcements, and custom behaviors.

Overview

Plugins:

Extend drag and drop behavior without modifying core code
React to drag operation changes through effects
Can be configured globally or per-draggable
Support options for customization
Can be enabled/disabled dynamically
Follow a consistent lifecycle

Plugin base class

All plugins extend the Plugin base class:

abstract class Plugin<
  T extends DragDropManager<any, any> = DragDropManager<any, any>,
  U extends PluginOptions = PluginOptions
> {
  constructor(
    public manager: T,
    public options?: U
  );
  
  disabled: boolean;
  
  enable(): void;
  disable(): void;
  isDisabled(): boolean;
  configure(options?: U): void;
  
  protected registerEffect(callback: () => void): () => void;
  
  destroy(): void;
  
  static configure(options: PluginOptions): PluginDescriptor;
}

Built-in plugins

The @dnd-kit/dom package includes several useful plugins:

Feedback

Provides visual feedback during drag operations:

import {Feedback} from '@dnd-kit/dom';

const manager = new DragDropManager({
  plugins: [Feedback],
});

The feedback plugin:

Creates a visual representation of the dragged element
Follows the pointer during drag
Supports custom rendering
Handles animations and transitions

Configuration:

Feedback.configure({
  duration: 300,        // Animation duration
  disabled: false,      // Enable/disable
})

Accessibility

Provides screen reader announcements:

import {Accessibility} from '@dnd-kit/dom';

const manager = new DragDropManager({
  plugins: [Accessibility],
});

Announces:

When a drag starts
When hovering over a droppable
When a drag ends (dropped or canceled)

AutoScroller

Automatically scrolls containers when dragging near edges:

import {AutoScroller} from '@dnd-kit/dom';

const manager = new DragDropManager({
  plugins: [AutoScroller],
});

Configuration:

AutoScroller.configure({
  threshold: 50,        // Distance from edge to trigger
  speed: 10,            // Scroll speed
})

Cursor

Manages cursor styles during drag:

import {Cursor} from '@dnd-kit/dom';

const manager = new DragDropManager({
  plugins: [Cursor],
});

Sets appropriate cursors:

grabbing while dragging
grab on hover
not-allowed when can’t drop

PreventSelection

Prevents text selection during drag:

import {PreventSelection} from '@dnd-kit/dom';

const manager = new DragDropManager({
  plugins: [PreventSelection],
});

This plugin is included by default and prevents unwanted text selection.

Core plugins

Some plugins are required for core functionality:

CollisionNotifier

Updates the drag target based on collision detection:

// From collision/notifier.ts
class CollisionNotifier extends CorePlugin {
  constructor(manager: DragDropManager) {
    super(manager);
    
    this.registerEffect(() => {
      const collisions = this.manager.collisionObserver.collisions;
      const collision = collisions[0];  // Highest priority
      
      this.manager.dragOperation.targetIdentifier = 
        collision?.id ?? null;
    });
  }
}

This plugin is automatically included in every manager.

ScrollListener & Scroller

These DOM-specific plugins track and manage scroll offsets:

// Automatically included in @dnd-kit/dom
plugins: [ScrollListener, Scroller, StyleInjector, ...userPlugins]

Creating custom plugins

Extend the Plugin class to create custom functionality:

Basic example

import {Plugin} from '@dnd-kit/abstract';
import type {DragDropManager} from '@dnd-kit/abstract';

class LoggerPlugin extends Plugin<DragDropManager> {
  constructor(manager: DragDropManager) {
    super(manager);
    
    // React to drag operation changes
    this.registerEffect(() => {
      const {status} = this.manager.dragOperation;
      
      if (status.dragging) {
        console.log('Drag started');
      }
      
      if (status.idle) {
        console.log('Drag ended');
      }
    });
  }
}

// Use it
const manager = new DragDropManager({
  plugins: [LoggerPlugin],
});

With options

interface LoggerOptions {
  prefix?: string;
  verbose?: boolean;
}

class LoggerPlugin extends Plugin<DragDropManager, LoggerOptions> {
  constructor(manager: DragDropManager, options?: LoggerOptions) {
    super(manager, options);
    
    const {prefix = '[DnD]', verbose = false} = options ?? {};
    
    this.registerEffect(() => {
      const {status, source, target} = this.manager.dragOperation;
      
      if (status.dragging) {
        console.log(`${prefix} Started dragging:`, source?.id);
        
        if (verbose) {
          console.log(`${prefix} Source data:`, source?.data);
        }
      }
      
      if (status.dropping && target) {
        console.log(`${prefix} Dropping on:`, target.id);
      }
    });
  }
}

// Configure and use
const manager = new DragDropManager({
  plugins: [
    LoggerPlugin.configure({
      prefix: '[MyApp]',
      verbose: true,
    }),
  ],
});

Analytics plugin

interface AnalyticsOptions {
  trackingId: string;
}

class AnalyticsPlugin extends Plugin<DragDropManager, AnalyticsOptions> {
  #startTime: number | null = null;
  
  constructor(manager: DragDropManager, options?: AnalyticsOptions) {
    super(manager, options);
    
    this.registerEffect(() => {
      const {status, source, target} = this.manager.dragOperation;
      
      if (status.dragging && !this.#startTime) {
        this.#startTime = Date.now();
        
        this.track('drag_start', {
          source_id: source?.id,
          source_type: source?.type,
        });
      }
      
      if (status.idle && this.#startTime) {
        const duration = Date.now() - this.#startTime;
        
        this.track('drag_end', {
          source_id: source?.id,
          target_id: target?.id,
          duration_ms: duration,
          canceled: this.manager.dragOperation.canceled,
        });
        
        this.#startTime = null;
      }
    });
  }
  
  private track(event: string, data: Record<string, any>) {
    const {trackingId} = this.options ?? {};
    
    // Send to analytics service
    console.log('Analytics:', event, {trackingId, ...data});
  }
  
  destroy() {
    this.#startTime = null;
    super.destroy();
  }
}

Visual feedback plugin

class HighlightPlugin extends Plugin<DragDropManager> {
  #cleanup: (() => void) | null = null;
  
  constructor(manager: DragDropManager) {
    super(manager);
    
    this.registerEffect(() => {
      const {target} = this.manager.dragOperation;
      
      // Clean up previous highlight
      this.#cleanup?.();
      this.#cleanup = null;
      
      if (target?.element) {
        // Add highlight class
        target.element.classList.add('drop-target');
        
        this.#cleanup = () => {
          target.element?.classList.remove('drop-target');
        };
      }
    });
  }
  
  destroy() {
    this.#cleanup?.();
    super.destroy();
  }
}

Plugin lifecycle

Construction

Plugins are instantiated when registered with the manager:

// Manager creates plugin instances
const plugin = new MyPlugin(manager, options);

Effects

Use registerEffect to react to drag operation changes:

class MyPlugin extends Plugin {
  constructor(manager: DragDropManager) {
    super(manager);
    
    // This effect runs whenever reactive values change
    this.registerEffect(() => {
      const {status} = this.manager.dragOperation;
      
      // React to status changes
      console.log('Status:', status);
    });
    
    // Multiple effects are allowed
    this.registerEffect(() => {
      const {target} = this.manager.dragOperation;
      
      // React to target changes
      console.log('Target:', target?.id);
    });
  }
}

Destruction

Plugins are destroyed when the manager is destroyed:

class MyPlugin extends Plugin {
  #intervalId: number | null = null;
  
  constructor(manager: DragDropManager) {
    super(manager);
    
    this.#intervalId = setInterval(() => {
      console.log('Tick');
    }, 1000);
  }
  
  destroy() {
    // Clean up resources
    if (this.#intervalId !== null) {
      clearInterval(this.#intervalId);
      this.#intervalId = null;
    }
    
    // Call parent destroy (cleans up effects)
    super.destroy();
  }
}

Configuration

Global plugins

Apply to all drag operations:

const manager = new DragDropManager({
  plugins: [
    Feedback,
    Accessibility,
    MyCustomPlugin.configure({/* options */}),
  ],
});

Per-draggable plugins

Apply to specific draggables:

const draggable = new Draggable({
  id: 'item-1',
  element: myElement,
  
  plugins: [
    MyPlugin.configure({/* options */}),
  ],
});

Per-draggable plugins are registered with the manager when the draggable is registered.

Plugin descriptors

The configure method returns a descriptor:

type PluginDescriptor = {
  plugin: PluginConstructor;
  options: PluginOptions;
};

// Creating a descriptor
const descriptor = MyPlugin.configure({option: 'value'});

// Descriptor contains:
// {
//   plugin: MyPlugin,
//   options: {option: 'value'}
// }

Managers and entities accept both constructors and descriptors:

// Constructor (uses default options)
plugins: [MyPlugin]

// Descriptor (uses custom options)
plugins: [MyPlugin.configure({option: 'value'})]

Enable/disable plugins

Plugins can be enabled or disabled at runtime:

const plugin = new MyPlugin(manager);

// Disable
plugin.disable();

// Enable
plugin.enable();

// Check
if (plugin.isDisabled()) {
  // Plugin is disabled
}

Disabled plugins:

Still exist in the registry
Effects still run
Should check isDisabled() and skip their logic

class MyPlugin extends Plugin {
  constructor(manager: DragDropManager) {
    super(manager);
    
    this.registerEffect(() => {
      if (this.isDisabled()) return;
      
      // Only run when enabled
      const {status} = this.manager.dragOperation;
      console.log('Status:', status);
    });
  }
}

Accessing plugins

Get registered plugins from the manager:

const {plugins} = manager;

// Find a specific plugin
const feedbackPlugin = plugins.find(
  (p) => p instanceof Feedback
);

// Configure at runtime
if (feedbackPlugin) {
  feedbackPlugin.configure({duration: 500});
}

Plugin registry

The manager maintains a plugin registry:

manager.registry.plugins.values  // Get all plugin instances
manager.plugins                  // Shorthand for registry.plugins.values

Set plugins:

manager.plugins = [NewPlugin];

Per-draggable plugin configuration

Draggables can look up their plugin configuration:

class MyPlugin extends Plugin {
  constructor(manager: DragDropManager) {
    super(manager);
    
    this.registerEffect(() => {
      const {source} = this.manager.dragOperation;
      
      if (source) {
        // Get per-draggable options for this plugin
        const options = source.pluginConfig(MyPlugin);
        
        if (options) {
          console.log('Per-draggable options:', options);
        }
      }
    });
  }
}

Usage:

const draggable = new Draggable({
  id: 'item-1',
  element: myElement,
  plugins: [
    MyPlugin.configure({customOption: 'value'}),
  ],
});

// Later, in the plugin:
const options = draggable.pluginConfig(MyPlugin);
// Returns: {customOption: 'value'}

Type safety

Plugins can be typed with their manager type:

class MyPlugin<T extends DragDropManager<any, any>> extends Plugin<T> {
  constructor(manager: T, options?: MyOptions) {
    super(manager, options);
    
    // manager is typed as T
    this.registerEffect(() => {
      // Type-safe access
    });
  }
}

Infer types from manager:

import type {InferDraggable, InferDroppable} from '@dnd-kit/abstract';

class MyPlugin<T extends DragDropManager<any, any>> extends Plugin<T> {
  constructor(manager: T) {
    super(manager);
    
    this.registerEffect(() => {
      const {source} = this.manager.dragOperation;
      
      // Type is inferred from manager
      type Draggable = InferDraggable<T>;
      const typedSource: Draggable | null = source;
    });
  }
}

Best practices

Use effects for reactions: Always use registerEffect to react to drag operation changes. This ensures your plugin stays in sync with the reactive system.

Clean up resources: Implement destroy() if your plugin allocates resources (timers, event listeners, DOM elements).

Support options: Make your plugins configurable with options. Use the configure pattern for user-friendly configuration.

Respect disabled state: Check isDisabled() in your effects and skip logic when disabled.

Example: Undo/Redo plugin

interface UndoRedoOptions {
  maxHistory?: number;
}

class UndoRedoPlugin extends Plugin<DragDropManager, UndoRedoOptions> {
  #history: Array<{source: string, target: string}> = [];
  #index = -1;
  
  constructor(manager: DragDropManager, options?: UndoRedoOptions) {
    super(manager, options);
    
    this.registerEffect(() => {
      const {status, source, target} = this.manager.dragOperation;
      
      if (status.idle && source && target && !this.manager.dragOperation.canceled) {
        // Record successful drop
        const {maxHistory = 50} = this.options ?? {};
        
        // Remove any future history
        this.#history = this.#history.slice(0, this.#index + 1);
        
        // Add new entry
        this.#history.push({
          source: source.id.toString(),
          target: target.id.toString(),
        });
        
        // Limit history size
        if (this.#history.length > maxHistory) {
          this.#history.shift();
        } else {
          this.#index++;
        }
      }
    });
  }
  
  undo() {
    if (this.#index < 0) return null;
    
    const action = this.#history[this.#index];
    this.#index--;
    return action;
  }
  
  redo() {
    if (this.#index >= this.#history.length - 1) return null;
    
    this.#index++;
    const action = this.#history[this.#index];
    return action;
  }
  
  canUndo() {
    return this.#index >= 0;
  }
  
  canRedo() {
    return this.#index < this.#history.length - 1;
  }
}

Custom plugins

Build your own plugins

Modifiers

Transform coordinates

Plugins API

Plugin API reference

DOM plugins

Built-in DOM plugins

Getting Started

Core Concepts

Framework Guides

Guides

​Overview

​Plugin base class

​Built-in plugins

​Feedback

​Accessibility

​AutoScroller

​Cursor

​PreventSelection

​Core plugins

​CollisionNotifier

​ScrollListener & Scroller

​Creating custom plugins

​Basic example

​With options

​Analytics plugin

​Visual feedback plugin

​Plugin lifecycle

​Construction

​Effects

​Destruction

​Configuration

​Global plugins

​Per-draggable plugins

​Plugin descriptors

​Enable/disable plugins

​Accessing plugins

​Plugin registry

​Per-draggable plugin configuration

​Type safety

​Best practices

​Example: Undo/Redo plugin

​Related

Custom plugins

Modifiers

Plugins API

DOM plugins

Build docs developers (and LLMs) love

Overview

Plugin base class

Built-in plugins

Feedback

Accessibility

AutoScroller

Cursor

PreventSelection

Core plugins

CollisionNotifier

ScrollListener & Scroller

Creating custom plugins

Basic example

With options

Analytics plugin

Visual feedback plugin

Plugin lifecycle

Construction

Effects

Destruction

Configuration

Global plugins

Per-draggable plugins

Plugin descriptors

Enable/disable plugins

Accessing plugins

Plugin registry

Per-draggable plugin configuration

Type safety

Best practices

Example: Undo/Redo plugin

Related