# Plugin install error -- about.json does not exist

**URL:** https://meta.discourse.org/t/plugin-install-error-about-json-does-not-exist/149890
**Category:** Support
**Created:** [April 30, 2020, 11:49am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/plugin-install-error-about-json-does-not-exist/149890 "2020-04-30T11:49:03Z")
**Posts on this page:** 4
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![Dan\_Smith](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/dan_smith/32/138935_2.png) [@Dan\_Smith](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Dan_Smith)
#### Post date: [April 30, 2020, 11:49am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/plugin-install-error-about-json-does-not-exist/149890/1 "2020-04-30T11:49:03Z")

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Hi,

I was wondering if anyone can help.

 ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/meta/original/3X/c/8/c8d9cc9bdc7a2d9e0b5c16a65467e483d604f963.png)

I keep seeing this error message when I try to install a plugin component - I have tried the direct .zip file upload method and using the github URL but both continue to display this error.

I have previously installed many plugins and components but recently I keep getting this message.

Hope someone can help. Thanks!

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### Author: ![Steven](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/steven/32/187890_2.png) [@Steven](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Steven)
#### Post date: [April 30, 2020, 12:10pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/plugin-install-error-about-json-does-not-exist/149890/2 "2020-04-30T12:10:50Z")

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A plugin can only be installed via the terminal, editing the app.yml file.

You can’t install the plugin in your discourse forum directly. Only themes or theme components should be installed there.

And vice versa, you can’t install theme components via the terminal, using the app.yml file. It will break your forum too.

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### Author: ![Dan\_Smith](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/dan_smith/32/138935_2.png) [@Dan\_Smith](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Dan_Smith)
#### Post date: [April 30, 2020, 1:32pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/plugin-install-error-about-json-does-not-exist/149890/3 "2020-04-30T13:32:48Z")

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Oh I see. Then that would be why!

Thanks for the clarification 🙏

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### Author: ![JammyDodger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/jammydodger/32/254611_2.png) [@JammyDodger](https://meta.discourse.org/u/JammyDodger)
#### Post date: [May 14, 2024, 9:38am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/plugin-install-error-about-json-does-not-exist/149890/4 "2024-05-14T09:38:49Z")

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