Extensions run on Live 12.4.5 Suite, currently in public beta. Sign up to get started now

Break what’s expected.
Make Live your own.

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IntroducingExtensions

Build Extensions that take Live Suite places it was never designed to go with a new, open JavaScript SDK.

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The Extensions SDK gives you the JavaScript API to build them: open, documented, and purpose-built for Live.
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Extensions integrate directly into Live’s workflow. They can read your entire Set: tracks, clips, structure – and then rewrite it.

Tools with no rules

Browse untested hacks, strange add-ons and experimental integrations – a starting point for your own ideas.

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Expand, reshape and customize Live. Join the beta, download the SDK and start experimenting.

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FAQs

Ableton Extensions, introduced in Live 12.4.5, provide a way for users to develop and use their own tools within Ableton Live using the Ableton Extensions SDK. 

Extensions can interact with tracks, clips, MIDI, devices, tempo, and other parts of a Live Set to automate tasks, transform musical data, and customize Live’s capabilities.

Extensions are available in Live 12 Suite Beta, version 12.4.5 or later. Extensions are not available in Live Standard, Intro, or Lite. 

Extensions can be programmed to affect tracks, clips, MIDI notes, devices, tempo and more. You can build Extensions to:

  • Transform MIDI
  • Analyze song and track structure
  • Automate repetitive tasks
  • Create unusual generative patterns
  • Connect to external services
  • Even play games in Live!

After you install an Extension in Live (via Settings → Extensions), here's how to access it:

  • Right-click an item in your Set (e.g. a MIDI clip, track, or other item).
  • Look in the context menu that appears.
  • If the Extension can be used on that item, it will show up there.
  • Click the name to run or edit the Extension.

After choosing it from the menu, a pop-up will appear in which you can alter the parameters of the Extension before running it. Triggering an extension causes it to run once, performing its task which returns a result or applies changes, then stop.

Developing with Extensions requires the following to be installed on your computer (macOS or Windows):

Extensions are built on the NodeJS platform, a free, open-source, cross-platform JavaScript runtime environment. Extensions are triggered from the right-click context menu for the relevant item in your Set.

Max for Live is a deep creative patching environment offering synthesis, custom instruments and complex signal chains. Extensions are JavaScript-based tools that interact with the Set itself, affecting structure, data, and workflow.

The SDK is built on standard web technologies that AI coding assistants handle well. If you can clearly describe your idea for an Extension, you may be able to build a working Extension with AI assistance, without any coding experience. 

Check out the documentation in the Ableton Extensions SDK GitHub repository for more information.

Read the docs on GitHubJoin the community on Discord

Download Live 12.4.5 beta to get started