npm install -g uxp-cli
(LTS version recommended for building or using front-end frameworks) A code editor (e.g., Visual Studio Code ) 2. Install the Adobe UXP Developer Tools Open the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop application. Navigate to the Apps tab.
Adobe UXP Developer Tools are a set of software development kits (SDKs) and tools that enable developers to create custom plugins, integrations, and extensions for Adobe Creative Cloud applications. These tools provide a comprehensive framework for building, testing, and deploying custom solutions that integrate with Adobe's suite of creative applications, including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and more.
Click the button. UDT starts a background file-watcher on your project directory. Every time you save a .js , .css , or .html file in your code editor, the plugin reloads in Photoshop in milliseconds. Step 4: Debugging with Chrome DevTools adobe uxp developer tools
Switch to Photoshop. You will see your new panel appear under . Deep Dive: Debugging with UXP Developer Tools
UDT allows you to launch an isolated Chrome DevTools instance for any connected plugin. This grants full access to the Console, Elements panel (for the UXP DOM), Sources panel (for breakpoints), and Network tab.
To begin building UXP plugins, you will need to prepare your environment. As of 2026, the process requires administrative access, as UDT operates with elevated privileges to interact directly with the Adobe host apps. npm install -g uxp-cli (LTS version recommended for
: Perhaps its most vital feature is the integration of Chrome DevTools-style debugging. This enables developers to inspect the DOM, view console logs, set breakpoints, and profile performance directly within the UXP environment. Modern Architecture: UXP and WebView
: Easily create new plugins from pre-configured templates or add existing projects to your workspace. Live Loading
For InDesign, UXP has been publicly available since v18.5 (2023), with UXP v8.0 shipping in v20.0. This implementation is more mature, making UXP the recommended path for new InDesign panel development. Adobe UXP Developer Tools are a set of
This guide explores what these tools are, how to set them up, and how they empower developers to create next-generation creative tools. What are Adobe UXP Developer Tools?
View errors, warnings, and custom console.log() statements directly from the host application.
Having the right tools is pointless without understanding what you are controlling. The UXP developer tools give you access to specific modules.
: With your host application running, UDT will automatically detect it in the "Connected Applications" panel. Use the "Load" button (▶️) to inject your plugin into the host app.
. While powerful, CEP was essentially a browser (Chromium) running inside an app, which was heavy, slow, and often inconsistent across different Adobe software. In 2018, Adobe introduced the Unified Extensibility Platform (UXP)