What extensions do in Owlbear Rodeo and where to find them

Extensions in Owlbear Rodeo are add-ons that expand what the virtual tabletop can do — they let you add custom character sheets, new dice mechanics, automation tools, or visual effects that the base software doesn't include. You install them directly into your Owlbear Rodeo workspace, and they work alongside your existing campaigns and maps.

The official place to find extensions is the Owlbear Rodeo extension marketplace, which you reach through your workspace settings. Community members also publish extensions on GitHub, though those require a manual installation step. Most extensions are free, though some creators may offer premium versions.

Before you install anything, check whether the extension is meant for the game system you're running — an extension built for D&D 5e might not work the way you expect in Pathfinder 2e, for example. The extension's description usually tells you which systems it supports.

Key Takeaways

  • Extensions install through your workspace settings under the Extensions tab, and you can enable or disable them without losing any campaign data.
  • The official Owlbear Rodeo marketplace is the safest source, but GitHub extensions work too if you have the direct link to the repository.
  • Each extension shows you what it does, which game systems it supports, and whether it requires any special setup before you use it.
  • If an extension breaks or causes problems, you can turn it off immediately — your maps, characters, and campaign history stay intact.

Installing an extension from the official marketplace

Open your Owlbear Rodeo workspace and look for the settings icon (usually a gear symbol) in the top right or left corner. Click it, then find the Extensions tab. You'll see a button to browse the marketplace — click that to see all available extensions.

When you find an extension you want, click on it to read the full description. This tells you what the extension does, which game systems it works with, and any setup steps you need to follow. Once you're ready, click the Install button. Owlbear Rodeo will download and activate the extension in your workspace right away.

After installation, the extension usually appears in your workspace immediately. Some extensions add a new button or menu option; others work in the background. Check the extension's description again if you're not sure where to find what it added.

Installing an extension from GitHub

If you find an extension on GitHub that isn't in the official marketplace, you'll need the direct link to the repository. Copy that link — it should look something like github.com/username/extension-name.

Go back to your workspace settings and the Extensions tab. Look for an option to add a custom extension or paste a URL. Paste the GitHub link there and click Install. Owlbear Rodeo will fetch the extension from GitHub and set it up in your workspace.

GitHub extensions work the same way as marketplace ones once they're installed, but they don't get automatic updates the way official marketplace extensions do. If the creator releases a new version, you may need to reinstall it manually by pasting the link again.

Checking compatibility before you install

Every extension description lists which game systems it supports. If you're running a D&D 5e campaign, look for extensions that specifically say they work with D&D 5e. An extension built only for Pathfinder 2e might not recognize your D&D character sheets or might not trigger automation the way you expect.

Some extensions also require a certain version of Owlbear Rodeo to work. If the description mentions a minimum version number, check your workspace version first. You can usually find this in your settings under About or System Information.

If you're unsure whether an extension will work with your setup, test it in a campaign you don't mind experimenting in. You can always turn it off or uninstall it without affecting your other campaigns.

Turning extensions on and off

You don't have to uninstall an extension if you want to stop using it. Go back to your workspace settings, find the Extensions tab, and look for the list of installed extensions. Each one has a toggle or checkbox next to it — click that to turn the extension off.

When you turn off an extension, it stops working immediately, but it stays installed. Your campaigns, maps, and character data are not affected. You can turn the extension back on anytime by clicking the toggle again.

If an extension is causing problems — like making the workspace slow or breaking a feature you rely on — turning it off is usually the fastest way to fix it while you figure out what went wrong.

Troubleshooting extensions that don't work

If an extension doesn't appear after you install it, refresh your browser or reload your workspace. Sometimes Owlbear Rodeo needs a moment to register the new extension.

If the extension installed but doesn't do what you expected, check the description again to see if there's a setup step you missed. Some extensions need you to configure them in a settings menu before they work. Others only work on new campaigns, not existing ones.

If an extension is making your workspace slow or unstable, turn it off right away. Then check the extension's GitHub page or documentation to see if other people reported the same problem. If the issue is widespread, the creator may have released a fix, or you might need to wait for an update.

Uninstalling an extension

If you decide you don't want an extension anymore, go to your workspace settings and the Extensions tab. Find the extension in your list and look for an uninstall button or option — it's usually a trash icon or a menu with a remove option.

Click uninstall, and Owlbear Rodeo will remove the extension from your workspace. Your campaigns and data stay intact. If you change your mind later, you can reinstall the same extension by going back to the marketplace or pasting the GitHub link again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do extensions work across all my campaigns in a workspace?

Yes. Once you install an extension in a workspace, it's available to all campaigns in that workspace. You can't turn an extension on for one campaign and off for another — it's all or nothing at the workspace level. Some extensions let you configure which features are active, but the extension itself is either installed or not.

Will an extension slow down my workspace?

Most extensions have minimal impact on performance, but a few can make things slower if they're doing heavy automation or processing. If you notice your workspace getting sluggish after installing something, turn off the newest extension and see if that helps. You can always report the problem to the extension creator.

What happens to my campaigns if an extension breaks?

Your campaigns, maps, and character data are safe. Turning off or uninstalling an extension doesn't delete anything. If an extension was adding custom features to your sheets or maps, those features might stop working, but the underlying data is still there.

Can I use extensions from different creators together?

Usually yes, but occasionally two extensions might conflict if they're trying to do the same thing or modify the same part of Owlbear Rodeo. If you install multiple extensions and something stops working, try turning them off one at a time to find which one is causing the problem.

Do I need to pay for extensions?

Most extensions are free. Some creators offer premium versions with extra features, but the base extension is always available at no cost. The marketplace and GitHub will tell you if an extension has a paid option.