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What are Custom Nodes ?

Custom nodes are extensions for ComfyUI that add new functionality like advanced image processing, machine learning fine-tuning, color adjustments, and more. These community-developed nodes can significantly expand ComfyUI’s core capabilities.
Before installing custom nodes, it’s important to review them carefully. Since ComfyUI is an open-source project, malicious plugins could potentially exploit custom nodes:
  1. Only install custom nodes from trusted authors and those commonly used by the community
  2. Understand the plugin’s functionality before installing and avoid unknown sources to ensure system security
  3. Avoid installing obscure or suspicious plugins - unverified plugins may pose security risks that could lead to system compromise
All custom node installations require completing these two steps:
  1. Clone the node code to the ComfyUI/custom_nodes directory
  2. Install the required Python dependencies
This guide covers three installation methods. Here’s a comparison of their pros and cons. While ComfyUI Manager isn’t yet part of the core dependencies, it will be in the future. We still provide other installation guides to meet different needs.
MethodAdvantagesDisadvantages
ComfyUI Manager (Recommended)1. Automated installation
2. Dependency handling
3. GUI interface
Cannot directly search for nodes not registered in the registry
Git CloneCan install nodes not registered in the registry1. Requires Git knowledge
2. Manual dependency handling
3. Installation risks
Repository ZIP Download1. No Git required
2. Manual control
1. Manual dependency handling
2. No version control
3. Installation risks
Tip: Before installing custom nodes, check the plugin’s README file to understand installation methods, usage, and requirements like specific models, dependency versions, and common issue solutions.
1

Click the `Manager` button in ComfyUI interface

Click ComfyUI Manager
2

Select `Install Custom Nodes`

Select Install Custom Nodes
3

Browse the custom nodes list

Custom nodes listed in ComfyUI Manager aren’t necessarily safe. Understand their functionality before installing and ensure you only install trusted plugins and those from popular authors to avoid potential device risks.
Enter node name in search boxEnter node name in search box
  1. Nodes marked with ⚠️ may have dependency conflicts with other plugins
  2. Author names marked with indicate their activity level on Github
  3. Potential plugin risks are highlighted in red - ensure plugin safety before installing
4

Click the `Install` button for the desired node

Click Install button for the nodeFind the node you want to install and click the Install button.Click Install button for the node
  • At this step, if you select the nightly version, it will directly download the latest source code of the plugin from Github. However, if your Manager’s security_level is set to normal, you will not be allowed to download the source code directly from Github because the code has not been scanned.
  • If you select other versions such as latest or a stable version with a number, the code will be downloaded from https://registry.comfy.org/, which means the code has been reviewed and will not trigger a security check.
The nightly version is usually the latest version, but since it is downloaded directly from Github and has not been reviewed, there is a certain code risk. If you really need to install the nightly version, please set the Manager’s security_level to weak. The configuration file path is ComfyUI/user/default/ComfyUI-Manager/config.ini. Please note that this is not our recommended configuration and should only be used temporarily.
5

Wait for dependencies to install and restart ComfyUI

Manager will automatically install dependencies and prompt you to restart ComfyUI when completeRestart ComfyUI and refresh browser after installationRestart ComfyUI and refresh browser after installation
6

Verify successful installation

Check ComfyUI Manager after restart to confirm the plugin installed successfully and there are no import failed errorsRestart ComfyUI and refresh browser after installation

Method 2: Manual Installation Using Git

Suitable for new nodes not found in Manager or when specific versions are needed. Requires Git installed on your system.
1

Get the repository URL

Click the “Code” button on GitHub and copy the HTTPS link
2

Navigate to custom_nodes directory

cd /path/to/ComfyUI/custom_nodes
3

Clone the repository

git clone [repository URL]
4

Install dependencies

Dependencies must be installed in your ComfyUI environment - be careful not to mix with your system environment to avoid contamination
  • Windows Portable
  • Manual Install
For Windows portable version, install dependencies in the embedded Python environment
python_embeded\python.exe -m pip install -r ComfyUI\custom_nodes\[node directory]\requirements.txt
5

Restart ComfyUI and refresh browser

Restart ComfyUI and refresh your browser. Check startup logs for any import failed errors

Method 3: ZIP Download Installation

Suitable for users who cannot use Git or Manager
We don’t recommend this installation method as it loses version control capabilities
1

Click `Code` → `Download ZIP` on GitHub

Click CodeDownload ZIP on the GitHub pageClick Code → Download ZIP on GitHub
2

Extract the ZIP file

Extract the downloaded ZIP file
3

Copy extracted folder to `ComfyUI/custom_nodes/` directory

Copy the extracted folder to ComfyUI/custom_nodes/ directory
4

Install dependencies manually (same as Git method step 4)

Restart ComfyUI and refresh browser
5

Verify successful installation

Check ComfyUI Manager after restart to confirm the plugin installed successfully and there are no import failed errors

Custom Node Resources

In ComfyUI, besides the basic node extension functionality, custom nodes can also include the following additional resources:
  • Node Documentation: This feature supports all custom and basic nodes. You can use it to view node documentation, understand the purpose and usage of nodes, and contribute documentation via PRs to the author.
  • Custom Node Workflow Templates: Workflow templates provided by node authors as example workflows, which can be browsed and loaded from the ComfyUI templates.
  • Multi-language Support
If you are a custom node developer, you can add these resources to make your custom node more user-friendly.
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