# Extend Faros

Build providers, templates, tools, and integrations.

Source: https://faros.sh/docs/extend/


A provider adds APIs, controllers, a UI, or tools to workspace capabilities. Begin with [Build your first provider](https://faros.sh/docs/extend/quickstart/), then use the contract guides below.

If you want to run an existing provider, use [Self-hosting](https://faros.sh/docs/self-hosting/providers/). If you want to enable one, use [Use Faros](https://faros.sh/docs/use/workspaces/enable-provider/).


## In this section

- [Anatomy & Lifecycle](https://faros.sh/docs/extend/anatomy/): The Provider and CatalogEntry objects, the init bootstrap, heartbeats, and the Enable flow.
- [Build your first provider](https://faros.sh/docs/extend/quickstart/): Start from the reference provider and verify its integration with the hub.
- [Defining the API](https://faros.sh/docs/extend/api/): APIResourceSchemas, the APIExport, permission claims, and schema versioning.
- [Virtual Workspaces](https://faros.sh/docs/extend/virtual-workspace/): How provider controllers see every tenant workspace at once — and the two identity patterns.
- [Connectivity & Proxies](https://faros.sh/docs/extend/connectivity/): The UI and backend proxies, identity headers, the revdial reverse tunnel, and data-plane subresources.
- [RBAC & Security](https://faros.sh/docs/extend/rbac/): What a provider may touch, bind grants, claim acceptance, and the isolation contracts.
- [Building the UI](https://faros.sh/docs/extend/ui/): The custom-element contract, farosContext, navigation, and asset serving.
- [MCP Integration](https://faros.sh/docs/extend/mcp/): Exposing provider tools to AI agents through the hub's aggregate MCP endpoint.
- [Author infrastructure templates](https://faros.sh/docs/extend/templates/): Publish configurable products through the Infrastructure catalog.
- [Packaging & Deployment](https://faros.sh/docs/extend/deploy/): The Helm chart shape, environment variables, Docker image, and publishing.
- [Provider Actions and assistant skills](https://faros.sh/docs/extend/actions/): Publish callable actions and distribute guidance without conflating permissions.