ComfyUI 03: Extension Installation

ComfyUI follows a node-based programming approach. The default startup example after installation is a basic set of nodes needed for image generation:

The image above includes loading a model, setting prompts, setting image size, choosing a sampler, VAE decode, and saving the image.

To expand functionality, you need to add nodes as needed. For example, adding a LoRA node:

You can also use node search (double-click on an empty area):

This is different from webui's approach of having everything laid out from the start:

So having prior experience with webui and being familiar with common features is very helpful when using ComfyUI.

Accordingly, ComfyUI's built-in extensions may not be as rich as webui's out-of-the-box offerings. Just install what you need.

Like webui, there are two common methods for installing extensions:

Manual installation of individual plugins;
Using a plugin manager.

Manual Plugin Installation

In ComfyUI, plugins are called custom nodes. All custom nodes are installed in the custom_nodes folder under the ComfyUI installation directory:

Compare with webui's extensions folder:

Installing a single plugin is similar to webui — just git clone the plugin into the custom_nodes folder.

For example, installing the ComfyUI Manager plugin: https://github.com/ltdrdata/ComfyUI-Manager

Three steps:

In the command line, run: cd D:\YOUR_COMFYUI_PATH\custom_nodes
Then run: git clone https://github.com/ltdrdata/ComfyUI-Manager.git
Restart ComfyUI

Basic command line operations are covered in Lesson 1.
Example:

Using the Plugin Manager

The ComfyUI Manager we just installed is actually a plugin and model manager that lets you browse available plugin lists and install them.

After installing ComfyUI Manager and restarting, a Manager option appears in the right-side main menu:

Click to open:

The highlighted options:

Install Custom Nodes (plugins)
Install Missing Custom Nodes (explained below)
Install Models

Install Custom Nodes

After clicking Install Custom Nodes, it fetches the available plugin list from GitHub:

The command line window shows the details:

You might encounter the classic connection timeout issue:

This can be resolved by configuring a proxy.

Under normal circumstances, the custom node management interface pops up:

It lists plugin authors, names, and descriptions.
The rightmost Install column lets you install, disable/enable, and uninstall.

The red sections indicate special requirements before installation — for example, some plugins require specific Python or CUDA versions, and warnings are shown here.

Install as needed — it's a bit more convenient than manual installation.

Install Missing Custom Nodes

This is a very practical feature. The previous lesson covered how to use workflows. This website has tons of workflow references:
https://comfyworkflows.com/

When you download and load a workflow and find lots of red nodes:

Don't panic — stay calm.
This is because some custom nodes are missing, and ComfyUI has already listed what's needed:

Just open Manager and click Install Missing Custom Nodes:

It automatically lists the plugins needed for this workflow:

Install them one by one.

Install Models

ComfyUI Manager also manages models.

Clicking it shows a model list, including base models, ControlNet, AnimateDiff, and much more — just select and install.

Advanced: I don't use this plugin to install models — instead I download them manually and keep all models in a shared folder on my computer, accessible by both ComfyUI and webui. See my other tutorial on sharing model files between webui and ComfyUI:
How to Share Model Files When Running Multiple Stable Diffusion Installations on One Computer.

Updating Plugins

Use the manager to update ComfyUI and plugins.
Simple enough — no further explanation needed.

Community resources & courses: https://ghc.h5.xeknow.com/s/hzkMX

code2art Intelligence Center (membership): https://ghc.h5.xeknow.com/s/2BCFuJ

Cheers🍻

Contra