IntelliJ Platform SDK DevGuide

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Plugin Logo

Beginning in version 2019.1, the IntelliJ Platform supports representing a plugin with a logo. A Plugin Logo is intended to be a unique representation of a plugin’s functionality, technology, or company. Previously this page referred to Plugin Logos as Plugin Icons.

Note: icons and images used within a plugin have different requirements. See Working with Icons and Images for more information.

Introduction

Plugin Logos are shown in the Plugins Repository, and in MarketPlace. They also appear in the Settings/Preferences Plugin Manager UI in IntelliJ Platform-based IDEs. Whether online or in the product UI, a Plugin Logo helps users to identify a plugin more quickly in a list, as shown below:

Example Product Plugin Preferences Dialog

Plugin Logo Requirements

For a Plugin Logo to be displayed correctly within an IntelliJ Platform-based IDE, it must:

  • Follow the best practices design guidelines,
  • Be in the correct file format,
  • Conform to file name conventions,
  • Be in the META-INF folder of the plugin distribution file.

Plugin Logo Size

The Plugin Logo should be provided in one size: 40px by 40px. A Plugin Logo is displayed in two sizes, and scales automatically in each context:

  • 40px by 40px in the plugins list in the Plugin Manager UI.
  • 80px by 80px in the plugin details screen in the Plugin Manager UI, on the plugin’s page in the Plugins Repository, and on MarketPlace.

Verify that Plugin Logo designs are effective in both sizes and all display contexts.

Plugin Logo Shape

Plugin Logo designs should leave at least 2px transparent padding around the perimeter, as shown below:

36px by 36px is the area where the visible part of the Logo should fit

Make sure Plugin Logos have the same visual weight as the logos in the examples below. The more filled a Plugin Logo design is, the less actual space it needs. See more examples of visual weight compensation in the IntelliJ Platform UI Guidelines for Icons.

For basic shapes, use the following sizes. Note the different areas of transparent padding used for each shape:

Square 32px by 32px Circle 36px in diameter
Square logo 32px by 32px Circular logo 36px in diameter
Horizontal rectangle 36px by 26px Vertical rectangle 26px by 36px
Horizontal rectangular logo 36px by 26px Vertical rectangular logo 26px by 36px


Plugin Logo Colors

If the plugin’s technology already has a logo, use its colors. Check the license terms before using the logo. If there is no existing logo, or its use is prohibited, create a custom logo based on the Action Colors Palette in the IntelliJ Platform UI Guidelines for Icons.

The YouTrack Plugin Logo uses the YouTrack product logo The Keymap Plugin Logo uses a color from the Action Colors Palette
The YouTrack Plugin Logo uses
the YouTrack product logo
The Keymap Plugin Logo uses a color
from the Action Colors Palette

Ensure a Plugin Logo is visible on both light and dark backgrounds. If one Plugin Logo design does not work on both light and dark backgrounds, then create separate light and dark versions of the Plugin Logo. The examples below illustrate how a Plugin Logo design may work well for a light background but not so well for a dark background. Consequently, a separate Plugin Logo for dark backgrounds is needed.

Plugin Logo on Light UI Theme Light Plugin Logo on Dark UI Theme Plugin Logo for Dark UI Theme
The light Plugin Logo design
works well on light UI Theme
The light Plugin Logo design does
not work well on a dark UI Theme
A separate, dark Plugin Logo design
works well on dark UI Theme

Plugin Logo File Format

All Plugin Logo images must be SVG format. This vector image format is required because the Plugin Logo file must be small, and the image must scale without any loss of quality.

Plugin Logo File Naming Convention

Name the Plugin Logo files according to the following conventions:

  • pluginIcon.svg is the default Plugin Logo. If a separate Logo file for dark UI Themes exists in the plugin, then this file is used solely for light UI Themes,
  • pluginIcon_dark.svg is an optional, alternative Plugin Logo for use solely with dark IDE UI Themes.

Adding Plugin Logo Files to a Plugin Project

The Plugin Logo files must be in the META-INF folder of the plugin distribution file, i.e. the *.jar or *.zip file you upload to the plugin repository and install into a JetBrains IDE.

To include Plugin Logo files in your distribution file, place the Plugin Logo files into a plugin project’s resources/META-INF folder. Note that this requirement is the same regardless of using DevKit or Gradle for developing a plugin. For example:

Plugin Logo Files in META-INF folder

Last modified: 19 February 2020