Extensions let you add custom maps, tokens, and tools to Owlbear Rodeo without waiting for the developers to build them

Owlbear Rodeo is a free online tool for running tabletop games with maps and character tokens. Extensions are add-ons that other people have built — custom dice rollers, sound packs, map packs, or automation tools — that you can install to expand what the base tool does. Installing an extension takes about two minutes and requires nothing more than a link and a click.

The extensions live in a shared community library. You find one you want, copy its link, paste it into Owlbear Rodeo's extension menu, and it loads into your game room. You do not need to read files to your computer or restart the process. Once installed, an extension stays available in that room until you remove it.

Key Takeaways

  • Extensions are community-built add-ons that add maps, tokens, dice tools, and other features to Owlbear Rodeo without modifying the core process.
  • You install an extension by opening the extension menu in your game room, pasting a link, and clicking to load it.
  • Extensions are stored per room, so you can have different extensions active in different games.
  • The Owlbear Rodeo community maintains a public list of extensions at https://extensions.owlbear.rodeo, where you can browse and copy links.

Finding extensions in the community library

The official extension library is at https://extensions.owlbear.rodeo. This page lists all public extensions that the community has submitted. Each extension has a name, a description of what it does, who built it, and a link you will need to install it.

Browse by category — maps, tokens, dice, automation, and so on — or search by name if you know what you are looking for. Read the description carefully, because some extensions are designed for specific game systems (D&D 5e, Pathfinder, Forged in the Dark games) and may not work the way you expect in a different system.

If you find an extension you want, copy the full link from the library page. You will paste this link into Owlbear Rodeo in the next step.

Installing an extension into your game room

Open Owlbear Rodeo and enter the game room where you want to use the extension. Look for the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner of the screen. Click it and select "Extensions" from the dropdown menu.

A panel will open showing any extensions already installed in that room. At the top of the panel, you will see a text field that says "Paste extension URL here" or similar. Paste the link you copied from the extension library into this field and press Enter or click the button next to it (usually labeled "Add" or with a plus icon).

The extension will load within a few seconds. If it loads successfully, you will see it listed in the extensions panel. If something goes wrong, you will see an error message — usually this means the link was incomplete or the extension is temporarily unavailable.

What happens after you install an extension

Once installed, the extension is active in that room when ready. Depending on what the extension does, it may add a new button to your toolbar, a new panel on the side of the screen, or new options in existing menus. Read the extension's description or documentation to understand where to find its features.

All players in the room can see and use the extension. If you remove the extension, it disappears for everyone in that room — but it does not affect any other rooms you are running.

Extensions are stored per room, not per account. If you create a new game room, you will need to install the extensions again if you want them in that room. This design lets you use different extensions for different campaigns without cluttering every game you run.

Removing or disabling an extension

To remove an extension, open the Extensions panel the same way you installed it (menu icon, then Extensions). Find the extension you want to remove and click the delete or remove button next to it — usually an X or a trash icon. The extension will disappear from the room when ready.

Removing an extension does not delete any maps, tokens, or other content you created with it. If the extension added a custom map to your room, that map stays in your room even after you remove the extension. You can reinstall the extension later without losing anything.

Troubleshooting common installation problems

If an extension will not load, first check that you copied the entire link correctly. The link should start with "https://" and be one continuous string with no spaces or line breaks. If you pasted it from a web page, sometimes extra characters get included by accident.

If the link is correct but the extension still will not load, the extension may be temporarily offline or the developer may have removed it. Try installing a different extension to confirm that the installation process itself is working. If other extensions load fine, the problem is with that specific extension, not your setup.

Some extensions require specific versions of Owlbear Rodeo to work. If you are using an older version, update the process and try again. Owlbear Rodeo updates automatically in most browsers, but if you are using the desktop version, you may need to read the latest release manually.

Building your own extension

If you want to create an extension instead of just using one, Owlbear Rodeo publishes documentation for developers at https://docs.owlbear.rodeo. Extensions are written in JavaScript and use the Owlbear Rodeo API to interact with the game room.

You do not need to be an informed programmer to build a straightforward extension. Many community extensions started as small tools to solve one specific problem — a custom dice roller, a quick reference sheet, or a token pack. Once you build an extension, you can submit it to the community library so other people can find and use it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use extensions if I am the game master but my players are not?

All players in the room see and can use any extension that is installed. You cannot hide an extension from some players and show it to others. If you want to use a tool that only the game master should access, you may need to use a separate process or browser tab.

Do extensions work on mobile or tablet?

Most extensions work on mobile and tablet, but some are designed for desktop screens and may be hard to use on a small screen. Test the extension before your game to see how it looks on the device you plan to use. If it does not work well, you can remove it and try a different one.

What if an extension breaks my game room or deletes my maps?

Extensions cannot delete your maps or permanently damage your room. If an extension causes problems, remove it and your room will return to normal. Owlbear Rodeo also saves your room data regularly, so even if something goes wrong, you can usually recover your work.

Are extensions safe to use?

Extensions in the official library are community-built and not formally reviewed by the Owlbear Rodeo team. Use extensions from creators you trust or that have good reviews from other users. If you are uncomfortable with an extension, do not install it — there are usually alternatives that do the same thing.

Can I use the same extension in multiple game rooms?

Yes. You install each extension separately in each room where you want it. If you run five different campaigns, you can install the same map pack in all five rooms, or use different extensions in each one.