Set up Extension Host

Goal: Point Patchwright at Live’s Extension Host so Build & Run installs your tool into the Set you have open.

Time: ~10 minutes

Steps

  1. Install Ableton Live 12 Suite (12.4.5+ beta with Extensions SDK) and enable Developer Mode and Extensions in Live preferences.
  2. Open Patchwright desktop (Tauri shell — web-only export does not need host setup).
  3. Click Host… on the toolbar to open the Extension Host panel in the dock — not Settings.
  4. Browse to your Live Extension Host application (Ableton documents the default location for your OS).
  5. Save the path; Patchwright remembers it for next session.
  6. Open a Live Set, then click Build & Run in Patchwright.
  7. Wait for Connected to Live (or success status) in the toolbar before switching to Live to test.

Expected result

Each Build & Run compiles your graph, talks to the host, and registers your extension in the open Set. Right-click menus show Extensions → YourName: … without manual install steps.

If something goes wrong

Problem What to do
Host panel empty Use toolbar Host…, not Settings gear
Not connected Live must be running with a Set open; recheck host path
Command never updates Build & Run again after graph changes
Web-only workflow Use Build .ablx and install the package manually — host is desktop-only
Permissions on macOS Allow Patchwright and Live in Privacy & Security if prompted

See also