Module Types
Understanding official, community, and external modules
Module Types
Odel supports several types of modules, each with different characteristics. Understanding these types helps you make informed decisions about which modules to install.
Official Modules
Verified & Free
Official modules are built and maintained by the Odel team. They're always free and thoroughly tested.
Official modules are identified by:
- Odel namespce prefix — Like
@Odel/calculator-basic - Official badge — The badge on the module will say
Official
When to Use Official Modules
- You want guaranteed compatibility with the Odel platform
- You need reliable, well-documented tools
- You prefer modules maintained by the Odel team
Examples
| Module | Description |
|---|---|
calculator-basic | Basic arithmetic operations |
datetime | Date and time utilities |
Community Modules
Community modules are created by developers in the Odel ecosystem. They follow a namespaced format.
Identification
- Namespaced format —
@creator/module-name(e.g.,@alice/weather-api) - Creator profile — Each module links to its creator's profile
- User reviews — Community feedback and ratings
Trust Indicators
When evaluating community modules, consider:
- Creator reputation — Check the creator's profile and other modules
- Install count — Popular modules have more users
- Reviews and ratings — Read feedback from other users
- Last updated — Recently updated modules are more likely to be maintained
- Required secrets — Review what access the module needs
Review Before Installing
Always review a community module's required secrets and permissions before installing. Only install modules from creators you trust.
When to Use Community Modules
- You need functionality not available in official modules
- A specific creator has built a module you trust
- The module is offered by a company or organization with a good reputation or that you already use.
- You want to support independent developers
External Modules
External modules connect Odel to MCP servers hosted outside the platform. This allows you to use your own infrastructure or third-party MCP services. Analytics and observability for external modules are slightly less comprehensive than for modules hosted on Odel
Characteristics
- Self-hosted — Run on your own servers or third-party infrastructure
- Full MCP support — Any MCP-compatible server works
- Your credentials — Authentication handled by your external server
Use Cases
- Enterprise deployments — Connect to internal MCP servers
- Custom integrations — Use proprietary tools with Odel
- Third-party MCP services — Connect to other MCP providers
External module support is currently in beta. Contact us if you're interested in connecting external MCP servers.
Default Modules
- Default modules are platform infrastructure components that power Odel's core functionality.
- These are used in chat.odel.app
- We at Odel strive for customizability and therefore wish you to be able to craft exactly the experience you want. Functionality therefore leverage the module system so you can disable it at will.
System Modules
Default modules are internal to the platform. They are visible in the marketplace, but cannot be installed in third party clients.
These modules handle:
- Title and tag generation
- Cross conversation memory
- Advanced display of module invocation
- Etc.
You don't need to interact with default modules directly. Unless you want to disable something you do not like.
Comparison Table
| Type | Namespace | Managed By | Cost | Install |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official | None | Odel team | Free | Marketplace |
| Community | @creator/ | Community developers | Free or paid | Marketplace |
| External | N/A | You or third-party | Varies | Configuration |
| Default | Internal | Odel team | N/A | Automatic |