• Monday, September 22, 2025

Odoo's modular architecture allows businesses to tailor their system with specific functionalities. While Odoo includes a wide array of modules by default, many organizations find themselves needing additional features to meet unique operational demands. Fortunately, the Odoo ecosystem offers an extensive catalog of plugins designed to address nearly every conceivable business requirement. This guide will walk you through the two primary methods for integrating these essential modules into your Odoo instance: the straightforward standard installation via the admin page and the manual installation process for custom plugins.

Odoo Module Installation Overview

Extending Odoo's capabilities often involves installing new modules. Whether you're enhancing an existing feature or introducing entirely new functionality, understanding the installation process is crucial. There are essentially two distinct approaches to installing an Odoo module, each suited for different scenarios:

  • Standard Installation from the Admin Page: This method is ideal for official and commonly available modules that are integrated directly into Odoo's application interface.
  • Manual Installation of Custom Plugins: This approach is necessary for modules downloaded from the Odoo plugin catalog or those developed specifically for your business, requiring a more hands-on server-side setup.

Standard Module Installation via the Admin Page

For official modules and those readily available within your Odoo instance, the installation process is remarkably simple and can be completed directly from the admin panel:

  1. Access the 'Apps' Section: Begin by navigating to your Odoo admin page. Locate and click on the 'Apps' menu item.
  2. Browse Available Applications: You will be presented with a comprehensive list of applications and modules available for installation. Some modules may already be active in your system.
  3. Locate the Desired Module: To find a specific module, you can either utilize the search bar by typing the module's name or browse through the listed applications.
  4. Initiate Installation: Once you have identified the module you wish to install, click the 'Install' button associated with it.
  5. Completion: After the installation process concludes, the new module will be active and ready for use, seamlessly integrated into your Odoo environment.

Manual Module Installation for Custom Plugins

When a particular module is not listed within the standard Odoo application interface, or if you are installing a custom-developed plugin, a manual installation process is required. This method involves a few more steps, including server interaction, but provides the flexibility to add any compatible module:

  1. Enable Developer Mode: Before proceeding with any manual module installation, it is essential to activate Developer Mode in your Odoo Admin Panel. Go to 'Settings' and then click on 'Activate the developer mode (with assets)' to unlock advanced functionalities.
  2. Obtain the Plugin: Next, you'll need to acquire the desired plugin. You can typically find a vast selection of modules in the Odoo plugin catalog. When downloading, ensure you select the version that is compatible with your specific Odoo instance.
  3. Extract the Module Files: After downloading the module, unzip the compressed file. This will yield a folder containing all the necessary files that constitute the module.
  4. Transfer to Odoo Server: The module folder must then be transferred to your Odoo server. Tools designed for secure file transfer, such as those utilizing SSH, are recommended for this purpose.
  5. Place Module in Addons Directory: On your Odoo server, place the unzipped module folder into one of the designated addon directories. Common locations include: 
    /opt/odoo/odoo13-custom-addons/
    /opt/odoo/odoo13/addons/

    Ensure the path aligns with your specific Odoo installation and version.

  6. Adjust File Ownership: Once the module folder has been transferred, it's crucial to ensure that the file ownership is correctly set to the 'odoo' user. This is typically done by executing a command on your server, such as: 
    sudo chown -R odoo:odoo /opt/odoo/odoo13-custom-addons/module-directory-name

    Note: Remember to replace /opt/odoo/odoo13-custom-addons/module-directory-name with the actual, full path to your module's directory.

  7. Update Applications List: Return to your Odoo Admin Panel and navigate to 'Apps'. Here, you will find and click the 'Update Apps List' button.
  8. Confirm Update: Click 'Update' again in the subsequent prompt to refresh the module catalog.
  9. Locate and Install the New Module: Your manually added module should now be loaded into the catalog. Clear any existing search filters and type the module's name into the search bar. The newly recognized module will appear, and you can then click 'Install' to finalize its integration into your Odoo system.

By following these detailed instructions, you can confidently expand your Odoo environment with any necessary modules, whether they are officially listed or custom-developed. This flexibility ensures that your Odoo system can continuously evolve to meet the changing demands of your business operations.

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