> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://universals-development.gitbook.io/universal-development/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://universals-development.gitbook.io/universal-development/universalchat/developer-guide/getting-started.md).

# Getting Started

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/2RbZEcxgpQU>" %}

**Overview**

* Create a **'libs'** folder in your plugin
* Drag the **Universal Chat Plugin jar** into the libs folder
* Tweak **build.gradle.ks**
* Import UniversalChatAPI

## Create libs folder

In the root directory of your plugin create a libs folder

<figure><img src="https://2499709937-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FdlTUzm27IGZ4As1IRw4q%2Fuploads%2F8lGdmazukcfh7XQ5IAXx%2FScreenshot%202025-04-02%20at%2015.47.53.png?alt=media&amp;token=48f5109c-8db4-484c-92bf-34a264dd067a" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Add Universal Chat Jar

Download Universal Chat, and place the plugin file into the newly created libs folder

<figure><img src="https://2499709937-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FdlTUzm27IGZ4As1IRw4q%2Fuploads%2FohXUvNaC3n0an5DaWp6G%2FScreenshot%202025-04-02%20at%2015.50.04.png?alt=media&amp;token=611dd716-30df-4e9e-bcc0-a94fbbec6cd7" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Build File Tweaking

Navigate to **build.gradle.kts** and add the following code under 'dependencies'

```gradle
implementation(files("libs/UniversalChat-17.0.0-Beta_4.jar"))
```

## Import Universal Chat's API

Import Universal Chat using the following code

```kotlin
import org.UniversalDevelopment.UniversalChat.UniversalPluginFramework.PluginKit.UniversalApi
```

## Notes

* <mark style="color:red;">**Once complete, the Universal Chat jar will be bundled with your plugin, however it will not function without the Universal Chat plugin installed in the plugins directory.**</mark>