# Installing discourse follow plugin in development (boot\_dev) setup — no app.yml file

**URL:** https://meta.discourse.org/t/installing-discourse-follow-plugin-in-development-boot-dev-setup-no-app-yml-file/396398
**Category:** Development
**Tags:** dev-install
**Created:** [February 18, 2026, 1:59pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/installing-discourse-follow-plugin-in-development-boot-dev-setup-no-app-yml-file/396398 "2026-02-18T13:59:20Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![nitinkg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb8c5e/32.png) [@nitinkg](https://meta.discourse.org/u/nitinkg)
#### Post date: [February 18, 2026, 1:59pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/installing-discourse-follow-plugin-in-development-boot-dev-setup-no-app-yml-file/396398/1 "2026-02-18T13:59:21Z")

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Hi,

I’m running Discourse locally in development mode using `docker`.

I’m trying to install the **[discourse follow](https://meta.discourse.org/t/discourse-follow/110579?tl=en)** plugin:

Plugin:  
[https://meta.discourse.org/t/discourse-follow/110579](https://meta.discourse.org/t/discourse-follow/110579)

I followed the plugin installation guide here:  
[https://meta.discourse.org/t/install-plugins-on-a-self-hosted-site/19157](https://meta.discourse.org/t/install-plugins-on-a-self-hosted-site/19157)

However, the guide references editing `app.yml` and rebuilding via `./launcher rebuild app`, but in the `boot_dev` setup there is no `app.yml` file or launcher-based structure.

What is the correct way to install an external plugin like discourse-follow when running Discourse in development mode using `boot_dev`?

Thanks.

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### Author: ![Canapin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/canapin/32/119591_2.png) [@Canapin](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Canapin)
#### Post date: [February 18, 2026, 3:16pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/installing-discourse-follow-plugin-in-development-boot-dev-setup-no-app-yml-file/396398/2 "2026-02-18T15:16:10Z")

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Welcome :blob-wave-reverse:

> [@nitinkg](#):
>
> I’m running Discourse locally in development mode using `docker`.

Following this guide? [Install Discourse for development using Docker](https://meta.discourse.org/t/install-discourse-for-development-using-docker/102009)

I think you just have to clone your plugin repo in `/plugins/`.

Or use a symlink:

> [@Install Discourse for development using Docker](https://meta.discourse.org/t/install-discourse-for-development-using-docker/102009/1):
>
> The Docker development flow supports symlinks under the `plugins/` directory, with the following caveat:
> 
> Whenever a new plugin symlink is created, the Docker container must be restarted with:
> 
> ```plaintext
> d/shutdown_dev; d/boot_dev
> 
> ```

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<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![Moin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/moin/32/554653_2.png) [@Moin](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Moin)
#### Post date: [February 26, 2026, 10:00am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/installing-discourse-follow-plugin-in-development-boot-dev-setup-no-app-yml-file/396398/3 "2026-02-26T10:00:58Z")

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There is also a guide: [Install plugins in your non-Docker development environment](https://meta.discourse.org/t/install-plugins-in-your-non-docker-development-environment/205337)