A molecular modeling workflow can stall for a surprisingly ordinary reason: the tool you need is not available in your current installation, or you are unsure whether an extension will work with your operating system and version of SAMSON. The Marketplace on SAMSON Connect helps you check those details before you commit to adding or subscribing to an extension.
Here is a practical way to use it: start with the task you need to accomplish, check the extension’s requirements, then choose the least-commitment option that fits your situation.
Check compatibility before you install
Open an extension’s page in the SAMSON Extensions marketplace and review its description, authors, supported operating systems, available extension versions, and the latest SAMSON versions for which it is available. These details can help you avoid adding an extension that does not match your setup.
Next, check how the extension is offered. Extensions may be included with a plan, freely available to add, or offered through a subscription. Knowing which category applies makes it easier to decide what to do next—and avoids confusing an extension’s availability with its installation status.
Choose a low-risk way to try it
If an extension is free to add, sign in to SAMSON Connect and select Add on its page. It will be marked as Added. Restart SAMSON for the extension to download and install automatically.
If an extension is subscription-based, look for the Request trial option. The documentation notes that requesting a trial does not require credit card information. During the trial period, the extension is marked as Trying. If you decide it suits your workflow, you can then review the monthly or yearly subscription options. An academic plan is available if you have academic status.
Keep your installation tidy
Extensions are useful when they support a specific task, but it is also helpful to know how to undo a choice. To remove a free extension, sign in and open it from the Marketplace or from Account > Settings > View my extensions. Hover over the Added button; when it changes to Remove, select it. Restart SAMSON for the removal to take effect.
For subscription-based extensions, open Account > Settings > View my subscriptions to manage subscriptions. After removal, an extension may still appear in your account’s extensions list, making it easier to add again later. That means you can treat your setup as something to maintain: keep the tools you currently need, and revisit the list when your modeling work changes.
A quick check before you begin
- Confirm the extension’s supported operating system and SAMSON version.
- Check whether it is included in your plan, free to add, or subscription-based.
- Use a trial when available to evaluate a subscription extension before subscribing.
- Restart SAMSON after adding or removing an extension.
- Use account settings to review your extensions and subscriptions.
This small check can prevent a compatibility detour and make it clearer which tools are actually part of your current setup. For the full overview of SAMSON Connect—including downloads, account settings, documents, and developer resources—learn more in the SAMSON Connect documentation.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get SAMSON.