cleanup and rename provider to plugin

CLI.py

@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ from SYS.result_table import Table
 
 from SYS.worker import WorkerManagerRegistry, WorkerStages, WorkerOutputMirror, WorkerStageSession
 from SYS.pipeline import PipelineExecutor
-from ProviderCore.registry import plugin_inline_query_choices
+from PluginCore.registry import plugin_inline_query_choices
 
 
 
@@ -505,7 +505,7 @@ class CmdletIntrospection:
             if normalized_arg == "plugin":
                 canonical_cmd = (cmd_name or "").replace("_", "-").lower()
                 try:
-                    from ProviderCore.registry import (
+                    from PluginCore.registry import (
                         list_configured_plugin_names_with_capability,
                         list_plugin_names_for_cmdlet,
                     )
@@ -546,7 +546,7 @@ class CmdletIntrospection:
 
             if normalized_arg == "scrape":
                 try:
-                    from plugins.metadata_provider import list_metadata_plugins
+                    from plugins.metadata_plugin import list_metadata_plugins
 
                     metadata_plugins = list_metadata_plugins(config) or {}
                     if metadata_plugins:
@@ -765,7 +765,7 @@ class CmdletCompleter(Completer):
             return []
 
         try:
-            from ProviderCore.registry import get_plugin_class
+            from PluginCore.registry import get_plugin_class
         except Exception:
             return []
 

PluginCore/registry.py

@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ from urllib.parse import urlparse
 
 from SYS.logger import log, debug
 
-from ProviderCore.base import Provider, SearchResult
+from PluginCore.base import Provider, SearchResult
 
 
 _EXTERNAL_PLUGIN_ENV_VARS: tuple[str, ...] = ("MM_PLUGIN_PATH", "MEDEIA_PLUGIN_PATH")

ProviderCore/__init__.py

@@ -1,5 +0,0 @@
-"""Plugin core modules.
-
-This package contains the plugin framework (base types, registry, and shared
-helpers). Bundled plugins live in the `plugins/` package.
-"""

SYS/cmdlet_catalog.py

@@ -6,8 +6,8 @@ from pathlib import Path
 from types import ModuleType
 from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional
 import logging
-from ProviderCore.commands import get_primary_command_object
+from PluginCore.commands import get_primary_command_object
-from ProviderCore.registry import get_plugin
+from PluginCore.registry import get_plugin
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 try:

SYS/html_table.py

@@ -279,7 +279,7 @@ def extract_records(doc_or_html: Any, base_url: Optional[str] = None, xpaths: Op
 
 # Small convenience: convert records to SearchResult. Providers can call this or
 # use their own mapping when they need full SearchResult objects.
-from ProviderCore.base import SearchResult  # local import to avoid circular issues
+from PluginCore.base import SearchResult  # local import to avoid circular issues
 
 
 def records_to_search_results(records: List[Dict[str, str]], table: str = "provider") -> List[SearchResult]:

SYS/metadata.py

@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Any, Dict, Iterable, List, Optional, Sequence, Set, Tuple
 
-from ProviderCore.registry import get_plugin
+from PluginCore.registry import get_plugin
 from SYS.yt_metadata import extract_ytdlp_tags
 
 try:  # Optional; used when available for richer metadata fetches

SYS/pipeline.py

@@ -1562,7 +1562,7 @@ class PipelineExecutor:
                 _add(getattr(item, "table", None))
 
         try:
-            from ProviderCore.registry import get_plugin, is_known_plugin_name
+            from PluginCore.registry import get_plugin, is_known_plugin_name
         except Exception:
             get_plugin = None  # type: ignore
             is_known_plugin_name = None  # type: ignore
@@ -1679,7 +1679,7 @@ class PipelineExecutor:
                 _add(getattr(item, "source", None))
 
         try:
-            from ProviderCore.registry import get_plugin, is_known_plugin_name
+            from PluginCore.registry import get_plugin, is_known_plugin_name
         except Exception:
             return None
 
@@ -2313,7 +2313,7 @@ class PipelineExecutor:
                 auto_stage = None
                 if isinstance(table_type, str) and table_type:
                     try:
-                        from ProviderCore.registry import selection_auto_stage_for_table
+                        from PluginCore.registry import selection_auto_stage_for_table
 
                         auto_stage = selection_auto_stage_for_table(table_type)
                     except Exception:
@@ -3098,7 +3098,7 @@ class PipelineExecutor:
                     auto_stage = None
                     if isinstance(table_type, str) and table_type:
                         try:
-                            from ProviderCore.registry import selection_auto_stage_for_table
+                            from PluginCore.registry import selection_auto_stage_for_table
 
                             # Preserve historical behavior: only forward selection-stage args
                             # to the auto stage when we are appending a new last stage.

SYS/plugin_config.py

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import pkgutil
 from typing import Any, Dict, Iterable, List, Optional
 
 from SYS.config import global_config
-from ProviderCore.registry import get_plugin_class, list_plugins
+from PluginCore.registry import get_plugin_class, list_plugins
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ def get_required_config_keys(item_type: str, item_name: str) -> List[str]:
 
 def get_configurable_store_types() -> List[str]:
     """Return configurable multi-instance plugin types (formerly 'store types')."""
-    from ProviderCore.registry import REGISTRY
+    from PluginCore.registry import REGISTRY
     options: List[str] = []
     for info in REGISTRY.iter_plugins():
         plugin_cls = info.plugin_class
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ def get_configurable_store_types() -> List[str]:
 
 def get_configurable_plugin_types() -> List[str]:
     """Return all plugin types that can be configured: those with a schema or MULTI_INSTANCE flag."""
-    from ProviderCore.registry import REGISTRY
+    from PluginCore.registry import REGISTRY
     options: List[str] = []
     for info in REGISTRY.iter_plugins():
         plugin_cls = info.plugin_class

SYS/plugin_helpers.py

@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
-"""Convenience mixins and helpers for table-based providers.
+"""Convenience mixins and helpers for table-based plugins.
 
-Provides a small `TableProviderMixin` that handles HTTP fetch + table extraction
+Provides a small `TablePluginMixin` that handles HTTP fetch + table extraction
 (using `SYS.html_table.extract_records`) and converts records into
-`ProviderCore.base.SearchResult` rows with sane default column ordering.
+`PluginCore.base.SearchResult` rows with sane default column ordering.
 
-Providers can subclass this mixin to implement search quickly:
+Plugins can subclass this mixin to implement search quickly:
 
-class MyProvider(TableProviderMixin, Provider):
+class MyPlugin(TablePluginMixin, Provider):
     URL = ("https://example.org/search",)
 
     def search(self, query, limit=50, **kwargs):
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 from typing import List, Optional
 
 from API.HTTP import HTTPClient
-from ProviderCore.base import SearchResult
+from PluginCore.base import SearchResult
 from SYS.html_table import extract_records
 import lxml.html as lxml_html
 
@@ -29,8 +29,8 @@ import logging
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
-class TableProviderMixin:
+class TablePluginMixin:
-    """Mixin to simplify providers that scrape table/list results from HTML.
+    """Mixin to simplify plugins that scrape table/list results from HTML.
 
     Methods:
       - search_table_from_url(url, limit, xpaths): fetches HTML, extracts records, returns SearchResults
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ class TableProviderMixin:
                 resp = client.get(url)
                 content = resp.content
         except Exception:
-            logger.exception("Failed to fetch URL %s for provider %s", url, getattr(self, 'name', '<provider>'))
+            logger.exception("Failed to fetch URL %s for plugin %s", url, getattr(self, 'name', '<plugin>'))
             return []
 
         # Ensure we pass an lxml document or string (httpx returns bytes)
@@ -99,14 +99,14 @@ class TableProviderMixin:
 
             results.append(
                 SearchResult(
-                    table=(getattr(self, "name", "provider") or "provider"),
+                    table=(getattr(self, "name", "plugin") or "plugin"),
                     title=title,
                     path=path,
                     detail="",
                     annotations=[],
                     media_kind="file",
                     size_bytes=None,
-                    tag={getattr(self, "name", "provider")},
+                    tag={getattr(self, "name", "plugin") or "plugin"},
                     columns=cols,
                     full_metadata={"raw_record": rec},
                 )

cmdlet/__init__.py

@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ def _load_root_modules() -> None:
 
 def _load_helper_modules() -> None:
     # Provider-specific module pre-loading removed; providers are loaded lazily
-    # through ProviderCore.registry when first referenced.
+    # through PluginCore.registry when first referenced.
     #
     # Keep explicit imports for cmdlets moved into subpackages so they remain
     # registered under their legacy command names.
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ def _register_native_commands() -> None:
 
 def _register_plugin_commands() -> None:
     try:
-        from ProviderCore.commands import register_plugin_commands
+        from PluginCore.commands import register_plugin_commands
     except Exception:
         return
     try:

cmdlet/_shared.py

@@ -276,7 +276,7 @@ class SharedArgs:
 
             # Plugin-based multi-instance backends (config["plugin"] / config["provider"] sections)
             try:
-                from ProviderCore.registry import REGISTRY
+                from PluginCore.registry import REGISTRY
                 plugin_instances = REGISTRY.list_storage_plugin_instances(config)
                 for _plugin_name, instance_names in plugin_instances.items():
                     names.update(instance_names)
@@ -1448,7 +1448,7 @@ def fetch_hydrus_metadata(
     client = hydrus_client
     hydrus_provider = None
     try:
-        from ProviderCore.registry import get_plugin
+        from PluginCore.registry import get_plugin
 
         hydrus_provider = get_plugin("hydrusnetwork", config)
     except Exception:
@@ -4177,7 +4177,7 @@ def check_url_exists_in_storage(
 
     hydrus_provider = None
     try:
-        from ProviderCore.registry import get_plugin
+        from PluginCore.registry import get_plugin
 
         hydrus_provider = get_plugin("hydrusnetwork", config)
     except Exception:

cmdlet/file/add.py

@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ class _CommandDependencies:
 
     def get_plugin(self, name: str) -> Optional[Any]:
         """Cached plugin lookup by name."""
-        from ProviderCore.registry import get_plugin
+        from PluginCore.registry import get_plugin
 
         norm_name = str(name or "").strip().lower()
         if not norm_name:
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ class _CommandDependencies:
 
     def get_plugin_with_capability(self, name: str, capability: str) -> Optional[Any]:
         """Cached plugin lookup with capability check."""
-        from ProviderCore.registry import get_plugin_with_capability
+        from PluginCore.registry import get_plugin_with_capability
 
         norm_name = str(name or "").strip().lower()
         if not norm_name:
@@ -2336,7 +2336,7 @@ class Add_File(Cmdlet):
         delete_after: bool,
     ) -> int:
         """Handle uploading via an upload plugin (e.g. 0x0)."""
-        from ProviderCore.registry import (
+        from PluginCore.registry import (
             get_plugin_with_capability,
             list_plugin_names_with_capability,
             list_plugins_with_capability,

cmdlet/file/archive.py

@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ from typing import Any, Dict, List, Sequence, Set
 from urllib.parse import parse_qs, urlparse
 
 from SYS.logger import log
-from ProviderCore.registry import get_plugin
+from PluginCore.registry import get_plugin
 from SYS.item_accessors import get_http_url, get_sha256_hex, get_store_name
 from SYS.utils import extract_hydrus_hash_from_url
 

cmdlet/file/delete.py

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import sys
 from pathlib import Path
 
 from SYS.logger import debug, log
-from ProviderCore.registry import get_plugin
+from PluginCore.registry import get_plugin
 from Store import Store
 from .. import _shared as sh
 from SYS import pipeline as ctx

cmdlet/file/download.py

@@ -992,8 +992,8 @@ class Download_File(Cmdlet):
     def _load_provider_registry() -> Dict[str, Any]:
         """Lightweight accessor for plugin helpers without hard dependencies."""
         try:
-            from ProviderCore import registry as provider_registry  # type: ignore
+            from PluginCore import registry as provider_registry  # type: ignore
-            from ProviderCore.base import SearchResult  # type: ignore
+            from PluginCore.base import SearchResult  # type: ignore
 
             return {
                 "get_plugin": getattr(provider_registry, "get_plugin", None),

cmdlet/file/merge.py

@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ def _run(result: Any, args: Sequence[str], config: Dict[str, Any]) -> int:
 
     if urls_to_download and len(urls_to_download) >= 2:
         try:
-            from ProviderCore.registry import get_plugin_for_url
+            from PluginCore.registry import get_plugin_for_url
 
             expanded: List[Dict[str, Any]] = []
             downloaded_any = False

cmdlet/file/search.py

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ from urllib.parse import urlparse, parse_qs, unquote, urljoin
 
 from SYS.logger import log, debug, debug_panel
 from SYS.payload_builders import build_file_result_payload, normalize_file_extension
-from ProviderCore.registry import get_plugin_with_capability, list_plugins_with_capability
+from PluginCore.registry import get_plugin_with_capability, list_plugins_with_capability
 from SYS.rich_display import (
     show_plugin_config_panel,
     show_store_config_panel,

cmdlet/metadata/get_relationship.py

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import sys
 
 from SYS.detail_view_helpers import create_detail_view, prepare_detail_metadata
 from SYS.logger import log
-from ProviderCore.registry import get_plugin
+from PluginCore.registry import get_plugin
 from SYS.result_table_helpers import add_row_columns
 from SYS.selection_builder import build_hash_store_selection
 from SYS.result_publication import publish_result_table

cmdlet/metadata/relationship_add.py

@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ import sys
 
 from SYS.logger import log
 from SYS.item_accessors import get_sha256_hex, get_store_name
-from ProviderCore.registry import get_plugin
+from PluginCore.registry import get_plugin
 
 from SYS import pipeline as ctx
 from .. import _shared as sh

cmdlet/metadata/tag_get.py

@@ -14,18 +14,18 @@ import sys
 
 from SYS.logger import log, debug
 
-# plugins.metadata_provider is deferred: it transitively loads yt_dlp, Cryptodome,
+# plugins.metadata_plugin is deferred: it transitively loads yt_dlp, Cryptodome,
 # imdbinfo, musicbrainzngs and ~1400 modules (~1.5s). Import lazily on first use.
-_METADATA_PROVIDER_MOD: Optional[Any] = None
+_METADATA_PLUGIN_MOD: Optional[Any] = None
 
 
 def _mp() -> Any:
-    """Return the (lazily imported) plugins.metadata_provider module."""
+    """Return the (lazily imported) plugins.metadata_plugin module."""
-    global _METADATA_PROVIDER_MOD
+    global _METADATA_PLUGIN_MOD
-    if _METADATA_PROVIDER_MOD is None:
+    if _METADATA_PLUGIN_MOD is None:
-        import plugins.metadata_provider as _m
+        import plugins.metadata_plugin as _m
-        _METADATA_PROVIDER_MOD = _m
+        _METADATA_PLUGIN_MOD = _m
-    return _METADATA_PROVIDER_MOD
+    return _METADATA_PLUGIN_MOD
 
 
 from pathlib import Path

cmdlet/plugin_table.py

@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ def _run(result: Any, args: Sequence[str], config: Dict[str, Any]) -> int:
     select_raw = parsed.get("select")
 
     try:
-        provider = get_plugin(plugin_name)
+        plugin = get_plugin(plugin_name)
     except Exception:
         log(f"Unknown plugin: {plugin_name}", file=sys.stderr)
         return 1
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ def _run(result: Any, args: Sequence[str], config: Dict[str, Any]) -> int:
     if use_sample:
         # Try to locate SAMPLE_ITEMS in the adapter's module (convention only)
         try:
-            mod = __import__(provider.adapter.__module__, fromlist=["*"])
+            mod = __import__(plugin.adapter.__module__, fromlist=["*"])
             items = getattr(mod, "SAMPLE_ITEMS", None)
             if items is None:
                 log("Plugin does not expose SAMPLE_ITEMS; no sample available", file=sys.stderr)
@@ -69,14 +69,14 @@ def _run(result: Any, args: Sequence[str], config: Dict[str, Any]) -> int:
         items = inputs
 
     try:
-        table = provider.build_table(items)
+        table = plugin.build_table(items)
     except Exception as exc:
-        log(f"Plugin '{provider.name}' failed: {exc}", file=sys.stderr)
+        log(f"Plugin '{plugin.name}' failed: {exc}", file=sys.stderr)
         return 1
 
     # Emit rows for downstream pipeline consumption (pipable behavior).
     try:
-        for item in provider.serialize_rows(table.rows):
+        for item in plugin.serialize_rows(table.rows):
             try:
                 ctx.emit(item)
             except Exception:
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ def _run(result: Any, args: Sequence[str], config: Dict[str, Any]) -> int:
         return 1
 
     selected = table.rows[select_idx]
-    sel_args = provider.selection_args(selected)
+    sel_args = plugin.selection_args(selected)
 
     if not run_cmd:
         # Print selection args for caller

cmdnat/_status_shared.py

@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ def _provider_config_map(config: dict) -> dict[str, Any]:
 
 def _iter_registered_plugin_infos() -> tuple[Any, ...]:
     try:
-        from ProviderCore.registry import REGISTRY
+        from PluginCore.registry import REGISTRY
 
         return tuple(
             sorted(

cmdnat/config.py

@@ -12,6 +12,13 @@ from SYS.config import (
 )
 from SYS.database import LOG_DB_PATH, db
 from SYS.logger import log
+from SYS.plugin_config import (
+    build_default_plugin_config,
+    build_default_tool_config,
+    get_configurable_plugin_types,
+    get_configurable_store_types,
+    get_configurable_tool_types,
+)
 from SYS import pipeline as ctx
 from SYS.result_table import Table
 from cmdnat._parsing import (
@@ -26,6 +33,7 @@ from cmdnat._parsing import (
 _PREFERENCES_BROWSE_PATH = "__preferences__"
 _PLUGINS_BROWSE_PATH = "__plugins__"
 _PLUGIN_CATEGORY_KEYS = ("plugin", "provider", "tool")
+_CREATE_INSTANCE_FLAG = "-create-instance"
 _KNOWN_SECTION_LABELS = {
     "plugin": "Plugins",
     "provider": "Plugins",
@@ -52,6 +60,18 @@ _SENSITIVE_CONFIG_KEYS = {
     "secret",
     "token",
 }
+_CONFIG_ITEM_FIELDS = (
+    "kind",
+    "key",
+    "title",
+    "browse_path",
+    "name",
+    "value",
+    "value_display",
+    "type",
+    "display_path",
+    "instance_target",
+)
 
 CMDLET = Cmdlet(
     name=".config",
@@ -271,6 +291,168 @@ def _format_config_entry_count(value: Any) -> str:
     return f"{count} entries"
 
 
+def _get_configurable_plugin_names() -> List[str]:
+    try:
+        return [
+            str(name).strip().lower()
+            for name in (get_configurable_plugin_types() or [])
+            if str(name).strip()
+        ]
+    except Exception:
+        return []
+
+
+def _get_configurable_tool_names() -> List[str]:
+    try:
+        return [
+            str(name).strip().lower()
+            for name in (get_configurable_tool_types() or [])
+            if str(name).strip()
+        ]
+    except Exception:
+        return []
+
+
+def _get_multi_instance_plugin_names() -> set[str]:
+    try:
+        return {
+            str(name).strip().lower()
+            for name in (get_configurable_store_types() or [])
+            if str(name).strip()
+        }
+    except Exception:
+        return set()
+
+
+def _split_config_path(value: Optional[str]) -> List[str]:
+    return [part for part in str(value or "").split(".") if part]
+
+
+def _is_multi_instance_plugin_name(name: str) -> bool:
+    return str(name or "").strip().lower() in _get_multi_instance_plugin_names()
+
+
+def _is_multi_instance_plugin_root_path(browse_path: Optional[str]) -> bool:
+    parts = _split_config_path(browse_path)
+    return (
+        len(parts) == 2
+        and parts[0] in {"plugin", "provider"}
+        and _is_multi_instance_plugin_name(parts[1])
+    )
+
+
+def _plugin_schema_field_keys(plugin_name: str) -> set[str]:
+    defaults = build_default_plugin_config(plugin_name)
+    if not isinstance(defaults, dict):
+        return set()
+    return {
+        str(key or "").strip().lower()
+        for key in defaults.keys()
+        if str(key or "").strip()
+    }
+
+
+def _looks_like_single_instance_branch(plugin_name: str, branch: Any) -> bool:
+    if not isinstance(branch, dict) or not branch:
+        return False
+
+    schema_keys = _plugin_schema_field_keys(plugin_name)
+    entry_keys = {str(key or "").strip().lower() for key in branch.keys()}
+    looks_like_single = bool(schema_keys and entry_keys.intersection(schema_keys))
+    if not looks_like_single:
+        looks_like_single = not all(isinstance(value, dict) for value in branch.values())
+    return looks_like_single
+
+
+def _normalize_multi_instance_branch(plugin_name: str, branch: Any) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+    if not isinstance(branch, dict):
+        return {}
+    if _looks_like_single_instance_branch(plugin_name, branch):
+        return {"default": dict(branch)}
+    return {
+        str(key): value
+        for key, value in _visible_config_entries(branch)
+        if isinstance(value, dict)
+    }
+
+
+def _build_create_instance_item(category: str, plugin_name: str) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+    target = f"{category}.{plugin_name}"
+    return {
+        "kind": "create_instance",
+        "key": f"{target}.__new_instance__",
+        "title": "Add Instance",
+        "name": "add_instance",
+        "value": None,
+        "value_display": "Create with @N | .config <name>",
+        "display_path": f"{_format_config_path_label(target)} / Add Instance",
+        "type": "action",
+        "instance_target": target,
+    }
+
+
+def _build_synthetic_plugin_branch(category: str, name: str) -> Optional[Dict[str, Any]]:
+    normalized_category = str(category or "").strip().lower()
+    normalized_name = str(name or "").strip().lower()
+    if not normalized_name:
+        return None
+
+    if normalized_category == "tool":
+        branch = build_default_tool_config(normalized_name)
+        return dict(branch) if isinstance(branch, dict) else None
+
+    branch = build_default_plugin_config(normalized_name)
+    if not isinstance(branch, dict):
+        return None
+    if normalized_name in _get_multi_instance_plugin_names():
+        return {"default": dict(branch)}
+    return dict(branch)
+
+
+def _find_configured_plugin_branch(
+    config_data: Dict[str, Any],
+    category: str,
+    name: str,
+) -> Optional[tuple[str, Dict[str, Any]]]:
+    category_block = config_data.get(category)
+    if not isinstance(category_block, dict):
+        return None
+
+    target = str(name or "").strip().lower()
+    for raw_name, raw_value in _visible_config_entries(category_block):
+        if str(raw_name or "").strip().lower() != target or not isinstance(raw_value, dict):
+            continue
+        return raw_name, raw_value
+    return None
+
+
+def _resolve_plugin_branch(
+    config_data: Dict[str, Any],
+    category: str,
+    name: str,
+) -> Optional[tuple[str, Dict[str, Any], bool]]:
+    found = _find_configured_plugin_branch(config_data, category, name)
+    if found is not None:
+        resolved_name, resolved_value = found
+        return resolved_name, resolved_value, True
+
+    normalized_category = str(category or "").strip().lower()
+    normalized_name = str(name or "").strip().lower()
+    if not normalized_name:
+        return None
+
+    if normalized_category == "tool":
+        if normalized_name not in _get_configurable_tool_names():
+            return None
+    elif normalized_name not in _get_configurable_plugin_names():
+        return None
+
+    synthetic = _build_synthetic_plugin_branch(normalized_category, normalized_name)
+    if synthetic is None:
+        return None
+    return normalized_name, synthetic, False
+
+
 def _iter_plugin_branches(config_data: Dict[str, Any]) -> List[tuple[str, str, Any]]:
     branches: List[tuple[str, str, Any]] = []
     if not isinstance(config_data, dict):
@@ -285,9 +467,41 @@ def _iter_plugin_branches(config_data: Dict[str, Any]) -> List[tuple[str, str, A
     return branches
 
 
+def _iter_available_plugin_branches(config_data: Dict[str, Any]) -> List[tuple[str, str, Any, bool]]:
+    branches: List[tuple[str, str, Any, bool]] = []
+    seen: set[str] = set()
+
+    for category, name, value in _iter_plugin_branches(config_data):
+        normalized_name = str(name or "").strip().lower()
+        if not normalized_name:
+            continue
+        branches.append((category, name, value, True))
+        seen.add(normalized_name)
+
+    for name in _get_configurable_plugin_names():
+        if name in seen:
+            continue
+        synthetic = _build_synthetic_plugin_branch("plugin", name)
+        if synthetic is None:
+            continue
+        branches.append(("plugin", name, synthetic, False))
+        seen.add(name)
+
+    for name in _get_configurable_tool_names():
+        if name in seen:
+            continue
+        synthetic = _build_synthetic_plugin_branch("tool", name)
+        if synthetic is None:
+            continue
+        branches.append(("tool", name, synthetic, False))
+        seen.add(name)
+
+    return branches
+
+
 def _collect_plugin_root_items(config_data: Dict[str, Any]) -> List[Dict[str, Any]]:
     plugin_items: Dict[str, Dict[str, Any]] = {}
-    for category, name, value in _iter_plugin_branches(config_data):
+    for category, name, value, is_configured in _iter_available_plugin_branches(config_data):
         key = str(name or "").strip().lower()
         if not key:
             continue
@@ -299,7 +513,7 @@ def _collect_plugin_root_items(config_data: Dict[str, Any]) -> List[Dict[str, An
                 "browse_path": f"{category}.{name}",
                 "summary": _format_config_entry_count(value),
                 "type": "section",
-                "description": "Plugin configuration",
+                "description": "Plugin configuration" if is_configured else "Plugin configuration (available to configure)",
             }
             continue
 
@@ -337,8 +551,22 @@ def _resolve_config_branch(
             for item in _collect_plugin_root_items(config_data)
         }
 
+    parts = [part for part in text.split(".") if part]
+    if len(parts) >= 2 and parts[0] in _PLUGIN_CATEGORY_KEYS:
+        resolved = _resolve_plugin_branch(config_data, parts[0], parts[1])
+        if resolved is None:
+            return None
+        _, current, _ = resolved
+        if parts[0] in {"plugin", "provider"} and _is_multi_instance_plugin_name(parts[1]):
+            current = _normalize_multi_instance_branch(parts[1], current)
+        for part in parts[2:]:
+            if not isinstance(current, dict):
+                return None
+            current = current.get(part)
+        return current if isinstance(current, dict) else None
+
     current: Any = config_data
-    for part in text.split("."):
+    for part in parts:
         if not isinstance(current, dict):
             return None
         current = current.get(part)
@@ -386,6 +614,66 @@ def _build_value_item(
     }
 
 
+def _create_or_get_plugin_instance(
+    config_data: Dict[str, Any],
+    instance_target: str,
+    instance_name: str,
+) -> tuple[str, bool]:
+    parts = _split_config_path(instance_target)
+    if len(parts) != 2 or parts[0] not in {"plugin", "provider"}:
+        raise ValueError(f"Unsupported instance target '{instance_target}'")
+
+    category, plugin_name = parts
+    raw_instance_name = str(instance_name or "").strip()
+    if not raw_instance_name:
+        raise ValueError("Instance name is required")
+    if raw_instance_name.startswith("_"):
+        raise ValueError("Instance names cannot start with '_' characters")
+
+    category_block = config_data.get(category)
+    if not isinstance(category_block, dict):
+        category_block = {}
+        config_data[category] = category_block
+
+    plugin_block = category_block.get(plugin_name)
+    if not isinstance(plugin_block, dict):
+        plugin_block = {}
+        category_block[plugin_name] = plugin_block
+
+    if _looks_like_single_instance_branch(plugin_name, plugin_block):
+        existing_default = dict(plugin_block)
+        plugin_block.clear()
+        plugin_block["default"] = existing_default
+
+    target_key = None
+    lowered_target = raw_instance_name.lower()
+    for existing_key in plugin_block.keys():
+        if str(existing_key or "").strip().lower() == lowered_target:
+            target_key = str(existing_key)
+            break
+
+    if target_key is not None and isinstance(plugin_block.get(target_key), dict):
+        return f"{category}.{plugin_name}.{target_key}", False
+
+    plugin_block[raw_instance_name] = dict(build_default_plugin_config(plugin_name))
+    return f"{category}.{plugin_name}.{raw_instance_name}", True
+
+
+def _resolve_update_key(config_data: Dict[str, Any], selection_key: str) -> str:
+    parts = _split_config_path(selection_key)
+    if (
+        len(parts) >= 4
+        and parts[0] in {"plugin", "provider"}
+        and parts[2].lower() == "default"
+        and _is_multi_instance_plugin_name(parts[1])
+    ):
+        category_block = config_data.get(parts[0])
+        plugin_block = category_block.get(parts[1]) if isinstance(category_block, dict) else None
+        if _looks_like_single_instance_branch(parts[1], plugin_block):
+            return ".".join([parts[0], parts[1], *parts[3:]])
+    return selection_key
+
+
 def _build_root_config_items(config_data: Dict[str, Any]) -> List[Dict[str, Any]]:
     items: List[Dict[str, Any]] = []
     visible_entries = _visible_config_entries(config_data)
@@ -444,7 +732,13 @@ def _build_nested_config_items(
 
     section_items: List[Dict[str, Any]] = []
     value_items: List[Dict[str, Any]] = []
+    action_items: List[Dict[str, Any]] = []
     is_preferences_view = browse_path == _PREFERENCES_BROWSE_PATH
+    parts = _split_config_path(browse_path)
+    is_multi_instance_root = _is_multi_instance_plugin_root_path(browse_path)
+
+    if is_multi_instance_root:
+        branch = _normalize_multi_instance_branch(parts[1], branch)
 
     for key, value in _visible_config_entries(branch):
         full_key = key if is_preferences_view else f"{browse_path}.{key}"
@@ -467,7 +761,9 @@ def _build_nested_config_items(
 
     section_items.sort(key=lambda item: str(item.get("title") or "").lower())
     value_items.sort(key=lambda item: str(item.get("name") or "").lower())
-    return section_items + value_items
+    if is_multi_instance_root:
+        action_items.append(_build_create_instance_item(parts[0], parts[1]))
+    return section_items + value_items + action_items
 
 
 def _build_config_items(
@@ -493,12 +789,31 @@ def _build_config_header_lines(browse_path: Optional[str]) -> List[str]:
         return [
             "Use @N on a section to drill in. Use @.. to go back.",
         ]
+    if _is_multi_instance_plugin_root_path(text):
+        return [
+            f"Path: {_format_config_path_label(text)}",
+            "Use @N on an instance to drill in. Use @N | .config <name> on Add Instance to create a new instance, then update its fields in the table that opens. Use @.. to go back.",
+        ]
+    parts = _split_config_path(text)
+    if (
+        len(parts) == 3
+        and parts[0] in {"plugin", "provider"}
+        and _is_multi_instance_plugin_name(parts[1])
+    ):
+        return [
+            f"Path: {_format_config_path_label(text)}",
+            "Use @N | .config <value> to update a setting. After creating an instance, set its path, credentials, or other fields here. Use @.. to go back.",
+        ]
     return [
         f"Path: {_format_config_path_label(text)}",
         "Use @N on a section to drill in. Use @N | .config <value> to update a setting. Use @.. to go back.",
     ]
 
 
+def _extract_create_instance_target(args: Sequence[str]) -> Optional[str]:
+    return _extract_arg_value(args, flags={_CREATE_INSTANCE_FLAG, "--create-instance"}, allow_positional=False)
+
+
 def _extract_browse_arg(args: Sequence[str]) -> Optional[str]:
     return _extract_arg_value(args, flags={"-browse", "--browse"}, allow_positional=False)
 
@@ -529,18 +844,49 @@ def _get_selected_config_item() -> Optional[Dict[str, Any]]:
     idx = indices[0]
     if idx < 0 or idx >= len(items):
         return None
-    item = items[idx]
+    return _normalize_config_item(items[idx])
-    if isinstance(item, dict):
+
-        return item
+
+def _normalize_config_item(candidate: Any) -> Optional[Dict[str, Any]]:
+    if candidate is None:
+        return None
 
     normalized: Dict[str, Any] = {}
-    for key in ("kind", "key", "title", "browse_path", "name", "value", "value_display", "type"):
+    sources: List[Any] = [candidate]
+
+    if isinstance(candidate, dict):
+        extra = candidate.get("extra")
+        if isinstance(extra, dict):
+            sources.append(extra)
+    else:
         try:
-            value = getattr(item, key, None)
+            extra = getattr(candidate, "extra", None)
         except Exception:
-            value = None
+            extra = None
-        if value is not None:
+        if isinstance(extra, dict):
-            normalized[key] = value
+            sources.append(extra)
+
+    for source in sources:
+        if isinstance(source, dict):
+            getter = source.get
+            for key in _CONFIG_ITEM_FIELDS:
+                if key in normalized:
+                    continue
+                value = getter(key)
+                if value is not None:
+                    normalized[key] = value
+            continue
+
+        for key in _CONFIG_ITEM_FIELDS:
+            if key in normalized:
+                continue
+            try:
+                value = getattr(source, key, None)
+            except Exception:
+                value = None
+            if value is not None:
+                normalized[key] = value
+
     return normalized or None
 
 
@@ -573,6 +919,11 @@ def _show_config_table(
                 idx,
                 [".config", "-browse", str(item.get("browse_path"))],
             )
+        elif item.get("kind") == "create_instance" and item.get("instance_target"):
+            table.set_row_selection_action(
+                idx,
+                [".config", _CREATE_INSTANCE_FLAG, str(item.get("instance_target"))],
+            )
 
     ctx.set_last_result_table(table, items)
     ctx.set_current_stage_table(table)
@@ -602,6 +953,15 @@ def _resolve_direct_browse_path(
         return _PREFERENCES_BROWSE_PATH
     if lowered in {"plugins", "plugin", "providers", "provider", "tools", "tool"}:
         return _PLUGINS_BROWSE_PATH
+
+    plugin_branch = _resolve_plugin_branch(config_data, "plugin", lowered)
+    if plugin_branch is not None:
+        return f"plugin.{plugin_branch[0]}"
+
+    tool_branch = _resolve_plugin_branch(config_data, "tool", lowered)
+    if tool_branch is not None:
+        return f"tool.{tool_branch[0]}"
+
     branch = _resolve_config_branch(config_data, text)
     if isinstance(branch, dict):
         return text
@@ -629,27 +989,63 @@ def _run(piped_result: Any, args: List[str], config: Dict[str, Any]) -> int:
     if browse_path:
         return _show_config_table(current_config, browse_path=browse_path)
 
-    selection_item = _get_selected_config_item()
+    selection_item = _get_selected_config_item() or _normalize_config_item(piped_result)
+
+    create_instance_target = _extract_create_instance_target(args)
+    if create_instance_target:
+        print(
+            f"Use @N | .config <instance_name> to create a new instance under '{_format_config_path_label(create_instance_target)}', then set its fields in the table that opens."
+        )
+        return 0
+
     value_from_pipe = _extract_piped_value(piped_result)
     selection_kind = str((selection_item or {}).get("kind") or "").strip().lower()
     selection_key = str((selection_item or {}).get("key") or "").strip() or None
     selection_browse_path = str((selection_item or {}).get("browse_path") or "").strip() or None
     selection_display_path = str((selection_item or {}).get("display_path") or selection_key or "").strip() or selection_key
+    selection_instance_target = str((selection_item or {}).get("instance_target") or "").strip() or None
 
     if selection_kind == "section" and selection_browse_path and not args and value_from_pipe is None:
         return _show_config_table(current_config, browse_path=selection_browse_path)
 
+    if selection_kind == "create_instance" and selection_instance_target:
+        new_instance_name = value_from_pipe or _extract_selected_update_value(args)
+        if new_instance_name is None:
+            print(
+                f"Use @N | .config <instance_name> to create a new instance under '{_format_config_path_label(selection_instance_target)}', then set its fields in the table that opens."
+            )
+            return 0
+        new_instance_name = _strip_value_quotes(new_instance_name)
+        try:
+            new_browse_path, created = _create_or_get_plugin_instance(
+                current_config,
+                selection_instance_target,
+                new_instance_name,
+            )
+            _save_updated_config(current_config, new_browse_path)
+            status_text = "Created" if created else "Using existing"
+            print(
+                f"{status_text} instance '{new_instance_name}' at '{_format_config_path_label(new_browse_path)}'. "
+                "Configure its fields in the table below."
+            )
+            return _show_config_table(current_config, browse_path=new_browse_path)
+        except Exception as exc:
+            log(f"Error creating config instance '{selection_instance_target}': {exc}")
+            print(f"Error creating config instance: {exc}")
+            return 1
+
     if selection_kind == "value" and selection_key:
         new_value = value_from_pipe or _extract_selected_update_value(args)
         if new_value is not None:
             new_value = _strip_value_quotes(new_value)
+            target_key = _resolve_update_key(current_config, selection_key)
             try:
-                set_nested_config(current_config, selection_key, new_value)
+                set_nested_config(current_config, target_key, new_value)
-                _save_updated_config(current_config, selection_key)
+                _save_updated_config(current_config, target_key)
                 print(f"Updated '{selection_display_path}' to '{new_value}'")
                 return 0
             except Exception as exc:
-                log(f"Error updating config '{selection_key}': {exc}")
+                log(f"Error updating config '{target_key}': {exc}")
                 print(f"Error updating config: {exc}")
                 return 1
 

docs/CHANGELOG.md

@@ -2,8 +2,8 @@
 
 ## Unreleased (2026-01-05)
 
-- **docs:** Add `docs/provider_authoring.md` as a plugin authoring Quick Start for the strict `ResultTable` API (ResultModel/ColumnSpec/selection_fn). The file keeps its legacy name for compatibility.
+- **docs:** Add `docs/plugin_authoring.md` as a plugin authoring Quick Start for the strict `ResultTable` API (ResultModel/ColumnSpec/selection_fn).
 - **docs:** Add a link from `docs/result_table.md` to the plugin authoring guide.
-- **tests:** Add `tests/test_provider_author_examples.py` validating example plugin registration and adapter behavior. The test file keeps its legacy name for compatibility.
+- **tests:** Add plugin-author example coverage validating example plugin registration and adapter behavior.
-- **notes:** Existing example plugins (`plugins/example_provider.py`, `plugins/vimm/__init__.py`) are referenced as canonical patterns.
+- **notes:** Existing example plugins (`plugins/example_plugin.py`, `plugins/vimm/__init__.py`) are referenced as canonical patterns.
 

docs/PR_PLUGIN_AUTHORING.md

@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 PR Title: docs: Add plugin authoring doc, examples, and tests
 
 Summary:
-- Add `docs/provider_authoring.md` describing the strict `ResultModel`-based plugin adapter pattern, `ColumnSpec` usage, `selection_fn`, and `TableProviderMixin` for HTML table scraping.
+- Add `docs/plugin_authoring.md` describing the strict `ResultModel`-based plugin adapter pattern, `ColumnSpec` usage, `selection_fn`, and `TablePluginMixin` for HTML table scraping.
 - Link the new doc from `docs/result_table.md`.
-- Add `tests/test_provider_author_examples.py` to validate the example plugin integration with the registry.
+- Add plugin-author example coverage to validate the example plugin integration with the registry.
 
 Why:
 - Provide a short, focused Quick Start to help contributors author plugins that integrate with the strict ResultTable API.

docs/plugin_authoring.md

@@ -5,16 +5,15 @@ ResultTable API: adapters yield `ResultModel` instances, and plugins register
 via `SYS.result_table_adapters.register_plugin` with columns and a
 `selection_fn`.
 
-Note: this file keeps its historical `provider_authoring` name, but the public
+The public terminology is plugin-first, even though some internal classes and
-terminology is plugin-first. Some internal classes and metadata fields still use
+metadata fields still use `Provider` naming.
-`Provider` naming.
 
 ---
 
 ## Quick summary
 - Plugins register a plugin adapter, a `columns` definition, and a `selection_fn`.
 - `selection_fn` returns CLI args for a selected row.
-- For HTML table or list scraping, prefer `TableProviderMixin` from `SYS.provider_helpers`.
+- For HTML table or list scraping, prefer `TablePluginMixin` from `SYS.plugin_helpers`.
 
 ## Runtime dependency policy
 - Treat required runtime dependencies such as Playwright as mandatory: import them unconditionally and let missing dependencies fail fast.
@@ -74,16 +73,16 @@ register_plugin("myplugin", adapter, columns=columns_factory, selection_fn=selec
 
 ---
 
-## Table scraping with `TableProviderMixin`
+## Table scraping with `TablePluginMixin`
 
-If your plugin scrapes HTML tables or list-like results, use `TableProviderMixin`:
+If your plugin scrapes HTML tables or list-like results, use `TablePluginMixin`:
 
 ```py
-from ProviderCore.base import Provider
+from PluginCore.base import Provider
-from SYS.provider_helpers import TableProviderMixin
+from SYS.plugin_helpers import TablePluginMixin
 
 
-class MyTablePlugin(TableProviderMixin, Provider):
+class MyTablePlugin(TablePluginMixin, Provider):
     URL = ("https://example.org/search",)
 
     def validate(self) -> bool:
@@ -94,8 +93,8 @@ class MyTablePlugin(TableProviderMixin, Provider):
         return self.search_table_from_url(url, limit=limit)
 ```
 
-`TableProviderMixin.search_table_from_url` returns
+`TablePluginMixin.search_table_from_url` returns
-`ProviderCore.base.SearchResult` entries. If you want to integrate the plugin
+`PluginCore.base.SearchResult` entries. If you want to integrate the plugin
 with the strict `ResultTable` registry, add a small adapter that converts
 `SearchResult` to `ResultModel` and register it using `register_plugin`.
 
@@ -128,22 +127,22 @@ Example test skeleton:
 
 ```py
 from SYS.result_table_adapters import get_plugin
-from plugins import example_provider
+from plugins import example_plugin
 
 
 def test_example_plugin_registration():
     plugin = get_plugin("example")
-    rows = list(plugin.adapter(example_provider.SAMPLE_ITEMS))
+    rows = list(plugin.adapter(example_plugin.SAMPLE_ITEMS))
     assert rows and rows[0].title
     cols = plugin.get_columns(rows)
     assert any(col.name == "title" for col in cols)
-    table = plugin.build_table(example_provider.SAMPLE_ITEMS)
+    table = plugin.build_table(example_plugin.SAMPLE_ITEMS)
     assert table.provider == "example" and table.rows
 ```
 
 ---
 
 ## References and examples
-- Read `plugins/example_provider.py` for a compact example of a strict adapter and dynamic columns.
+- Read `plugins/example_plugin.py` for a compact example of a strict adapter and dynamic columns.
-- Read `plugins/vimm/__init__.py` for a table-oriented plugin that uses `TableProviderMixin` and converts `SearchResult` to `ResultModel` for registration.
+- Read `plugins/vimm/__init__.py` for a table-oriented plugin that uses `TablePluginMixin` and converts `SearchResult` to `ResultModel` for registration.
-- See `docs/provider_guide.md` for a broader plugin development checklist.
+- See `docs/plugin_guide.md` for a broader plugin development checklist.

docs/plugin_guide.md

@@ -4,9 +4,8 @@
 This guide describes how to write, test, and register a plugin so the
 application can discover and use it as a pluggable component.
 
-Note: this file keeps its historical `provider_guide` name, but the public
+The public model is plugin-first, even though the internal base class still
-model is plugin-first. Some runtime classes still use `Provider` naming
+uses `Provider` naming.
-internally.
 
 Keep plugin code small, focused, and well-tested. Bundled plugins and drop-in
 plugins share the same `plugins/` layout.
@@ -15,7 +14,7 @@ plugins share the same `plugins/` layout.
 
 ## Anatomy of a plugin
 A plugin is a Python class that currently extends the internal base class
-`ProviderCore.base.Provider` and implements a few key methods and attributes.
+`PluginCore.base.Provider` and implements a few key methods and attributes.
 
 Minimum expectations:
 - `class MyPlugin(Provider):` subclasses the current internal base plugin class.
@@ -31,7 +30,7 @@ Optional but common:
 ---
 
 ## SearchResult
-Use `ProviderCore.base.SearchResult` to describe results returned by `search()`.
+Use `PluginCore.base.SearchResult` to describe results returned by `search()`.
 
 Important fields:
 - `table` (str): plugin table name
@@ -55,7 +54,7 @@ Return a list of `SearchResult(...)` objects or simple dicts convertible with `.
 Example:
 
 ```python
-from ProviderCore.base import Provider, SearchResult
+from PluginCore.base import Provider, SearchResult
 
 
 class HelloPlugin(Provider):
@@ -132,7 +131,7 @@ pytest -q
 - Bundled plugins live under `plugins/` and are auto-discovered from that package.
 - External plugins can be dropped into `plugins/` or any directory listed in `MM_PLUGIN_PATH` or `MEDEIA_PLUGIN_PATH`.
 - Package directories are preferred so plugin-specific files travel with the plugin.
-- Plugin authors should import from `ProviderCore.*`.
+- Plugin authors should import from `PluginCore.*`.
 
 If a plugin supports multiple configured endpoints or accounts, the user-facing
 concept is a plugin instance. Some stored config still lives under legacy key

docs/result_table.md

@@ -181,4 +181,4 @@ another, such as artist to discography drill-in.
 - ResultTable implementation: `SYS/result_table.py`
 - Pipeline helpers: `SYS/pipeline.py`
 - Row replay and selection flow: `SYS/pipeline.py`
-- Plugin authoring guide: `docs/provider_authoring.md`
+- Plugin authoring guide: `docs/plugin_authoring.md`

plugins/README.md

@@ -29,13 +29,13 @@ drop-in plugin search paths are:
 
 Plugin rules:
 - A plugin can be a single `.py` file or a package directory with `__init__.py`.
-- Current plugin classes inherit from `ProviderCore.base.Provider`.
+- Current plugin classes inherit from `PluginCore.base.Provider`.
 - Give the plugin a stable name using `PLUGIN_NAME` or the class name.
 
 Example skeleton:
 
 ```python
-from ProviderCore.base import Provider, SearchResult
+from PluginCore.base import Provider, SearchResult
 
 
 class MyPlugin(Provider):

plugins/alldebrid/__init__.py

@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@ from urllib.parse import urlparse
 
 from API.HTTP import HTTPClient, _download_direct_file
 from plugins.alldebrid.api import AllDebridClient, parse_magnet_or_hash, is_torrent_file
-from ProviderCore.base import Provider, SearchResult
+from PluginCore.base import Provider, SearchResult
-from SYS.provider_helpers import TableProviderMixin
+from SYS.plugin_helpers import TablePluginMixin
 from SYS.item_accessors import get_field as _extract_value
 from SYS.utils import sanitize_filename
 from SYS.logger import log, debug, debug_panel
@@ -637,7 +637,7 @@ def adjust_output_dir_for_alldebrid(
     return output_dir
 
 
-class AllDebrid(TableProviderMixin, Provider):
+class AllDebrid(TablePluginMixin, Provider):
     """AllDebrid account provider with magnet folder/file browsing and downloads.
     
     This provider uses the new table system (strict ResultTable adapter pattern) for

plugins/bandcamp/__init__.py

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import sys
 from urllib.parse import urlparse
 from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional
 
-from ProviderCore.base import Provider, SearchResult
+from PluginCore.base import Provider, SearchResult
 from SYS.logger import log, debug, debug_panel
 
 from tool.playwright import PlaywrightTool

plugins/example_plugin.py

@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 """Example plugin that uses the new `ResultTable` API.
 
-This module demonstrates a minimal provider adapter that yields `ResultModel`
+This module demonstrates a minimal plugin adapter that yields `ResultModel`
 instances, a set of `ColumnSpec` definitions, and a tiny CLI-friendly renderer
 (`render_table`) for demonstration.
 
 Run this to see sample output:
-    python -m Provider.example_provider
+    python -m plugins.example_plugin
 
 Example usage (piped selector):
     plugin-table -plugin example -sample | select -select 1 | add-file -instance default
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ SAMPLE_ITEMS = [
 
 
 def adapter(items: Iterable[Dict[str, Any]]) -> Iterable[ResultModel]:
-    """Convert provider-specific items into `ResultModel` instances.
+    """Convert plugin-specific items into `ResultModel` instances.
 
     This adapter enforces the strict API requirement: it yields only
     `ResultModel` instances (no legacy dict objects).
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ def adapter(items: Iterable[Dict[str, Any]]) -> Iterable[ResultModel]:
 
 
 # Columns are intentionally *not* mandated. Create a factory that inspects
-# sample rows and builds only columns that make sense for the provider data.
+# sample rows and builds only columns that make sense for the plugin data.
 from SYS.result_table_api import metadata_column
 
 
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ register_plugin(
     adapter,
     columns=columns_factory,
     selection_fn=selection_fn,
-    metadata={"description": "Example provider demonstrating dynamic columns and selectors"},
+    metadata={"description": "Example plugin demonstrating dynamic columns and selectors"},
 )
 
 

plugins/fileio/__init__.py

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import os
 import sys
 from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional
 
-from ProviderCore.base import Provider
+from PluginCore.base import Provider
 from SYS.logger import log
 
 

plugins/ftp/__init__.py

@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional, Tuple
 from urllib.parse import quote, unquote, urlparse
 
-from ProviderCore.base import Provider, SearchResult, parse_inline_query_arguments
+from PluginCore.base import Provider, SearchResult, parse_inline_query_arguments
 
 
 def _coerce_bool(value: Any, default: bool = False) -> bool:

plugins/hello/__init__.py

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ This minimal plugin demonstrates the typical hooks a plugin may implement:
 - `search()` to return `SearchResult` items
 - `download()` to persist a sample file (useful for local tests)
 
-See `docs/provider_guide.md` for authoring guidance.
+See `docs/plugin_guide.md` for authoring guidance.
 """
 
 from __future__ import annotations
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional
 
-from ProviderCore.base import Provider, SearchResult
+from PluginCore.base import Provider, SearchResult
 
 
 class HelloProvider(Provider):

plugins/hifi/__init__.py

@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ from plugins.tidal.api import (
     extract_artists,
     stringify,
 )
-from ProviderCore.base import Provider, SearchResult, parse_inline_query_arguments
+from PluginCore.base import Provider, SearchResult, parse_inline_query_arguments
 from SYS.field_access import get_field
 from plugins.tidal_manifest import resolve_tidal_manifest_path
 from SYS import pipeline as pipeline_context

plugins/internetarchive/__init__.py

@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional
 from urllib.parse import quote, unquote, urlparse
 
 from API.HTTP import _download_direct_file
-from ProviderCore.base import Provider, SearchResult
+from PluginCore.base import Provider, SearchResult
 from SYS.utils import sanitize_filename, unique_path
 from SYS.logger import log
 from SYS.config import get_provider_block

plugins/libgen/__init__.py

@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Any, Callable, Dict, List, Optional, Tuple
 from urllib.parse import urljoin, urlparse, unquote
 
-from ProviderCore.base import Provider, SearchResult
+from PluginCore.base import Provider, SearchResult
 from SYS.utils import sanitize_filename
 from SYS.logger import log, debug
 from SYS.models import ProgressBar
@@ -383,7 +383,7 @@ def _enrich_book_tags_from_isbn(isbn: str,
 
     # 2) isbnsearch metadata plugin fallback.
     try:
-        from plugins.metadata_provider import get_metadata_plugin
+        from plugins.metadata_plugin import get_metadata_plugin
 
         provider = get_metadata_plugin("isbnsearch",
                                        config or {})
@@ -660,7 +660,7 @@ class Libgen(Provider):
         "libgen": ["download-file"],
     }
     # Domains that should be routed to this provider when the user supplies a URL.
-    # (Used by ProviderCore.registry.match_provider_name_for_url)
+    # (Used by PluginCore.registry.match_provider_name_for_url)
     URL_DOMAINS = (
         "libgen.gl",
         "libgen.li",
@@ -1056,7 +1056,7 @@ class Libgen(Provider):
     def download_url(self, url: str, output_dir: Path) -> Optional[Path]:
         """Download a direct LibGen URL using the regular mirror logic."""
         try:
-            from ProviderCore.base import SearchResult
+            from PluginCore.base import SearchResult
             sr = SearchResult(
                 table="libgen",
                 title="libgen",

plugins/loc/__init__.py

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional
 
 from plugins.loc.api import LOCClient
-from ProviderCore.base import Provider, SearchResult
+from PluginCore.base import Provider, SearchResult
 from SYS.cli_syntax import get_free_text, parse_query
 from SYS.logger import log
 

plugins/local/__init__.py

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import shutil
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional, Tuple
 
-from ProviderCore.base import Provider
+from PluginCore.base import Provider
 from SYS.metadata import write_metadata, write_tags
 from SYS.utils import sanitize_filename, sha256_file, unique_path
 

plugins/matrix/__init__.py

@@ -11,8 +11,8 @@ from urllib.parse import quote
 from API.requests_client import get_requests_session
 from SYS.utils import ffprobe as probe_media_metadata
 
-from ProviderCore.base import Provider, SearchResult
+from PluginCore.base import Provider, SearchResult
-from SYS.provider_helpers import TableProviderMixin
+from SYS.plugin_helpers import TablePluginMixin
 from SYS.logger import log
 
 _MATRIX_INIT_CHECK_CACHE: Dict[str,
@@ -276,7 +276,7 @@ def _matrix_health_check(*,
         return False, str(exc)
 
 
-class Matrix(TableProviderMixin, Provider):
+class Matrix(TablePluginMixin, Provider):
     """Matrix (Element) room provider with file uploads and selection.
     
     This provider uses the new table system (strict ResultTable adapter pattern) for

plugins/matrix/commands.py

@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ from SYS.command_parsing import (
     normalize_to_list as _normalize_to_list,
 )
 from SYS import pipeline as ctx
-from ProviderCore.registry import get_plugin, get_plugin_for_url
+from PluginCore.registry import get_plugin, get_plugin_for_url
 
 _MATRIX_PENDING_ITEMS_KEY = "matrix_pending_items"
 _MATRIX_PENDING_TEXT_KEY = "matrix_pending_text"

plugins/metadata_plugin.py

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ import subprocess
 
 from API.HTTP import HTTPClient
 from API.requests_client import get_requests_session
-from ProviderCore.base import SearchResult
+from PluginCore.base import SearchResult
 try:
     from plugins.tidal import Tidal
 except ImportError:  # pragma: no cover - optional

plugins/mpv/commands.py

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ from datetime import datetime, timedelta
 from urllib.parse import urlparse, parse_qs
 from pathlib import Path
 from SYS.cmdlet_spec import Cmdlet, CmdletArg, parse_cmdlet_args
-from ProviderCore.registry import get_plugin, get_plugin_for_url, list_plugin_names_with_capability
+from PluginCore.registry import get_plugin, get_plugin_for_url, list_plugin_names_with_capability
 from SYS.logger import debug, get_thread_stream, is_debug_enabled, set_debug, set_thread_stream
 from SYS.result_table import Table
 from plugins.mpv.mpv_ipc import MPV

plugins/mpv/lyric.py

@@ -1170,7 +1170,7 @@ def _infer_hydrus_store_from_url_target(*, target: str, config: dict) -> Optiona
         is_hydrus_backend = backend_type == "hydrusnetwork" or backend_class == "hydrusnetwork"
         if not is_hydrus_backend:
             try:
-                from ProviderCore.registry import get_plugin
+                from PluginCore.registry import get_plugin
 
                 hydrus_provider = get_plugin("hydrusnetwork", config)
                 checker = getattr(hydrus_provider, "is_backend", None) if hydrus_provider is not None else None

plugins/mpv/pipeline_helper.py

@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ from SYS.config import load_config, reload_config  # noqa: E402
 from SYS.logger import set_debug, debug, set_thread_stream  # noqa: E402
 from SYS.repl_queue import enqueue_repl_command  # noqa: E402
 from SYS.utils import format_bytes  # noqa: E402
-from ProviderCore.registry import get_plugin, get_plugin_class  # noqa: E402
+from PluginCore.registry import get_plugin, get_plugin_class  # noqa: E402
 from tool.ytdlp import get_display_format_id, get_selection_format_id  # noqa: E402
 
 REQUEST_PROP = "user-data/medeia-pipeline-request"

plugins/openlibrary/__init__.py

@@ -18,11 +18,11 @@ import requests
 
 from API.HTTP import HTTPClient
 from API.requests_client import get_requests_session
-from ProviderCore.base import Provider, SearchResult
+from PluginCore.base import Provider, SearchResult
 from SYS.utils import sanitize_filename
 from SYS.cli_syntax import get_field, get_free_text, parse_query
 from SYS.logger import log
-from plugins.metadata_provider import (
+from plugins.metadata_plugin import (
     archive_item_metadata_to_tags,
     fetch_archive_item_metadata,
 )
@@ -654,7 +654,7 @@ class OpenLibrary(Provider):
         ]
 
     # Domains that should be routed to this provider when the user supplies a URL.
-    # (Used by ProviderCore.registry.match_provider_name_for_url)
+    # (Used by PluginCore.registry.match_provider_name_for_url)
     URL_DOMAINS = (
         "openlibrary.org",
         "archive.org",

plugins/podcastindex/__init__.py

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import hashlib
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional, Tuple
 
-from ProviderCore.base import Provider, SearchResult
+from PluginCore.base import Provider, SearchResult
 from SYS.logger import log
 from SYS.utils import format_bytes
 

plugins/scp/__init__.py

@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ from urllib.parse import quote, unquote, urlparse
 import paramiko
 from scp import SCPClient
 
-from ProviderCore.base import Provider, SearchResult, parse_inline_query_arguments
+from PluginCore.base import Provider, SearchResult, parse_inline_query_arguments
 
 
 def _coerce_bool(value: Any, default: bool = False) -> bool:

plugins/soulseek/__init__.py

@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ import time
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional
 
-from ProviderCore.base import Provider, SearchResult
+from PluginCore.base import Provider, SearchResult
 from SYS.logger import log, debug, debug_panel
 from SYS.models import ProgressBar
 

plugins/telegram/__init__.py

@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional, Sequence, Tuple
 from urllib.parse import urlparse
 
-from ProviderCore.base import Provider, SearchResult
+from PluginCore.base import Provider, SearchResult
 from SYS.logger import debug
 
 _TELEGRAM_DEFAULT_TIMESTAMP_STEM_RE = re.compile(

plugins/telegram/commands.py

@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ from SYS.command_parsing import has_flag as _has_flag, normalize_to_list as _nor
 from SYS.logger import log
 from SYS.result_table import Table
 from SYS import pipeline as ctx
-from ProviderCore.registry import get_plugin
+from PluginCore.registry import get_plugin
 
 _TELEGRAM_PENDING_ITEMS_KEY = "telegram_pending_items"
 

plugins/tidal/__init__.py

@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ from plugins.tidal.api import (
     extract_artists,
     stringify,
 )
-from ProviderCore.base import Provider, SearchResult
+from PluginCore.base import Provider, SearchResult
 from SYS.field_access import get_field
 from plugins.tidal_manifest import resolve_tidal_manifest_path
 from SYS import pipeline as pipeline_context
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ class Tidal(Provider):
     def extract_query_arguments(self, query: str) -> Tuple[str, Dict[str, Any]]:
         """Parse inline `key:value` query arguments.
 
-        Unlike the generic parser in ProviderCore, this supports multi-word
+        Unlike the generic parser in PluginCore, this supports multi-word
         values (e.g. `artist:elliott smith`).
 
         Returns:

plugins/torrent/__init__.py

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional
 import requests
 
 from API.requests_client import get_requests_session
-from ProviderCore.base import Provider, SearchResult
+from PluginCore.base import Provider, SearchResult
 from SYS.logger import debug, log
 try:  # Preferred HTML parser
     from lxml import html as lxml_html

plugins/vimm/__init__.py

@@ -16,14 +16,14 @@ import re
 from pathlib import Path
 
 from API.HTTP import HTTPClient
-from ProviderCore.base import Provider, SearchResult, parse_inline_query_arguments
+from PluginCore.base import Provider, SearchResult, parse_inline_query_arguments
-from ProviderCore.inline_utils import resolve_filter
+from PluginCore.inline_utils import resolve_filter
 from SYS.logger import debug, debug_panel
-from SYS.provider_helpers import TableProviderMixin
+from SYS.plugin_helpers import TablePluginMixin
 from tool.playwright import PlaywrightTool
 
 
-class Vimm(TableProviderMixin, Provider):
+class Vimm(TablePluginMixin, Provider):
     """Minimal provider for vimm.net vault listings using TableProvider mixin.
 
     NOTES / HOW-TO (selection & auto-download):
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ class Vimm(TableProviderMixin, Provider):
         ],
         "region": REGION_CHOICES,
     }
-    # ProviderCore still looks for INLINE_QUERY_FIELD_CHOICES, so expose this
+    # PluginCore still looks for INLINE_QUERY_FIELD_CHOICES, so expose this
     # mapping once and keep QUERY_ARG_CHOICES as the readable name we prefer.
     INLINE_QUERY_FIELD_CHOICES = QUERY_ARG_CHOICES
 

plugins/ytdlp/__init__.py

@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@ from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Any, Dict, Iterable, List, Optional, Sequence, Tuple
 from urllib.parse import urlparse
 
-from ProviderCore.base import Provider, SearchResult, parse_inline_query_arguments
+from PluginCore.base import Provider, SearchResult, parse_inline_query_arguments
-from SYS.provider_helpers import TableProviderMixin
+from SYS.plugin_helpers import TablePluginMixin
 from SYS.logger import debug, log
 from SYS.models import DownloadError, DownloadMediaResult, DownloadOptions
 from SYS.payload_builders import build_file_result_payload, build_table_result_payload
@@ -501,7 +501,7 @@ def _build_pipe_objects(
     return pipe_objects
 
 
-class ytdlp(TableProviderMixin, Provider):
+class ytdlp(TablePluginMixin, Provider):
     """yt-dlp-backed search and direct download plugin."""
 
     PLUGIN_NAME = "ytdlp"

plugins/zeroxzero/__init__.py

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import os
 import sys
 from typing import Any
 
-from ProviderCore.base import Provider
+from PluginCore.base import Provider
 from SYS.logger import log
 
 

readme.md

@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ Plugins are the main integration surface for the app.
 - Plugins can expose named instances, so one plugin can target multiple endpoints, accounts, or servers via `-instance <name>`.
 - Bundled and external plugins use the same `plugins/<name>/` layout.
 - External plugin search paths include the repo `plugins/` folder, the current working directory `plugins/` folder, `MM_PLUGIN_PATH`, and `MEDEIA_PLUGIN_PATH`.
-- Plugin authoring still uses the current Python base class name `ProviderCore.base.Provider`. That is an implementation detail rather than the preferred user-facing term.
+- Plugin authoring still uses the current Python base class name `PluginCore.base.Provider`. That is an implementation detail rather than the preferred user-facing term.
 
 See [plugins/README.md](plugins/README.md) for plugin packaging and discovery details.
 
@@ -140,8 +140,8 @@ The exact meaning of `@1` depends on the current table and plugin. For example,
 
 - [docs/tag_template_syntax.md](docs/tag_template_syntax.md)
 - [plugins/README.md](plugins/README.md)
-- [docs/provider_guide.md](docs/provider_guide.md)
+- [docs/plugin_guide.md](docs/plugin_guide.md)
-- [docs/provider_authoring.md](docs/provider_authoring.md)
+- [docs/plugin_authoring.md](docs/plugin_authoring.md)
 - [docs/ftp_plugin_tutorial.md](docs/ftp_plugin_tutorial.md)
 - [docs/scp_plugin_tutorial.md](docs/scp_plugin_tutorial.md)
 - [docs/BOOTSTRAP_TROUBLESHOOTING.md](docs/BOOTSTRAP_TROUBLESHOOTING.md)

scripts/pyproject.toml

@@ -121,8 +121,7 @@ packages = [
     "cmdnat",
     "API",
     "Store",
-    "ProviderCore",
+    "PluginCore",
-    "Provider",
     "SYS",
     "tool",
     "TUI",