Integrate with external plugins

External plugins are programs built outside of Telegraf that run through one of the execd plugins:

External plugins allow more flexibility than internal Telegraf plugins:

  • Write plugins in any language. Internal Telegraf plugins must be written in Go.
  • Use libraries not written in Go, including libraries that require CGO support.
  • Use licensed software that isn’t available to the open source community.
  • Include large dependencies that would otherwise bloat Telegraf.
  • Run your plugin immediately, without waiting for the Telegraf team to review and publish it.
  • Convert plugins between internal and external using the shim.

Use the execd shim

Use the execd Go shim to extract an internal Telegraf input, processor, or output plugin into a stand-alone program that runs through an execd plugin.

Write an external plugin

Write a Telegraf external plugin in any language, run it through an execd plugin, and submit it to the community external plugin list.

For community-built external plugins, see the external plugins list in the Telegraf repository.

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