# dependencies.yml reference | DRE

> Every key of dependencies.yml: plugin packages and macro packages.

You're reading the docs for DRE 0.4 (v0.4.4). [This page for 0.5](https://getdre.com/docs/reference-dependencies/) · [New in 0.5](https://getdre.com/docs/new-in-0.5/)

# dependencies.yml reference

Plugin packages and macro packages, in `dependencies.yml` or `packages.yml` at the project root.

Where: `dependencies.yml` or `packages.yml`.

For editor autocomplete and validation, add this as the first line of the file ([editor setup](https://getdre.com/docs/v0.4/editor-setup/)):

```yaml
# yaml-language-server: $schema=https://getdre.com/schemas/v0.4/dependencies.schema.json
```

For copyable examples and common errors, see [Plugin and macro packages](https://getdre.com/docs/v0.4/registry/). The [glossary](https://getdre.com/docs/v0.4/glossary/) defines DRE’s terms.

## Keys

Key

Type

Default

Description

`plugins`

list of plugin packages: a name, `name: "<version>"`, or a map (see below)

The plugin packages this project uses. DRE installs them on demand into `dre_deps/` and pins them in `dre.lock`. May be written in any project YAML file; `dependencies.yml` is the usual place.

`extensions`

list of map (see below)

`[]`

Optional separately licensed companion executables. `dre deps` offers to install them (or `--accept-proprietary`); ordinary report commands do not. Pin each binary version and review its own licence separately.

`packages`

list of any

Macro packages (git or local). Their macros are called through the package name, e.g. `{{ dre_utils.star(...) }}`. Exact commits are pinned in `dre.lock`.

## `plugins[]`

A package with its source.

Key

Type

Default

Description

`name` (required)

string

The package name: lowercase letters, digits and `_`.

`version`

string

A version constraint such as `1.2.0` or `>=1.0`. Not allowed with `local`.

`github`

string

Install from the releases of this GitHub repository, `owner/repo`.

`local`

string

Use the package folder at this path as it is.

`registry`

string

Install from this registry index (a URL or a path) instead of the default one.

## `extensions[]`

An optional companion dependency, separate from source/format/destination plugins. Keys besides `name` and `version` are the companion’s own settings: DRE passes them through and the companion checks them.

Key

Type

Default

Description

`name` (required)

string

Registry executable name, e.g. `dre-mcp`.

`version` (required)

string

Exact semantic version, including an RC suffix where applicable.

_other keys_

Settings of the companion itself, which reads and checks them; see its documentation.

## `packages[]`

A macro package, from git or from a folder.

Key

Type

Default

Description

`git`

string

The git URL of the package. Needs `revision`.

`revision`

string

A tag, branch or commit of the git package.

`local`

string

The path of a package folder in this project’s tree.

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