A molecular modeling task can be slowed down before the science even starts: the tool you need may be an extension, and it is not always obvious whether it is included in your plan, free to add, or available by subscription. Then there is the question of whether it has actually been installed. A short check before you begin can save you from discovering a missing capability halfway through a workflow.
SAMSON Extensions are modules that add capabilities to SAMSON. The SAMSON Connect Marketplace is where you can browse them and check the details for each extension, including its description, authors, supported operating systems, extension versions, and the SAMSON versions for which it is available.
Start with compatibility and availability
Before adding an extension, check its page rather than relying on its name alone. Confirm that it supports your operating system and the SAMSON version you use. Then check how it is made available. An extension may be included with your current plan, freely available to add, or offered through a subscription. Plan details matter because available functionality—and the number of free extensions—can differ by plan.
This quick preflight is useful when preparing a project, following a tutorial, or coordinating with a colleague: make sure the extension you intend to use is available for your setup before building a workflow around it.
Add a free extension and confirm it is installed
For a freely available extension, sign in to SAMSON Connect and select Add on its Marketplace page. The page will show that the extension is Added. That status is a useful check, but installation is completed when you restart SAMSON: at restart, SAMSON downloads and installs the extension automatically.
If you have just added an extension and cannot find it in SAMSON, first check whether you have restarted the application. It is an easy step to overlook when switching quickly between the Marketplace and a modeling session.
Try subscription extensions before committing
If an extension uses a subscription, the Marketplace may offer a Request trial option. The documentation states that requesting a trial does not require credit card information. While the extension is in its trial period, its status is shown as Trying. If you decide to continue, select a monthly or yearly subscription; an academic plan is available if you have academic status.
To review or manage subscriptions later, go to Account > Settings > View my subscriptions. This provides a single place to check your subscribed extensions rather than revisiting each Marketplace page individually.
Remove extensions you no longer need
For a free extension, open its Marketplace page while signed in and hover over the Added button; it changes to Remove. You can also find your extensions through Account > Settings > View my extensions. For a subscription extension, manage the subscription from View my subscriptions. After removal, restart SAMSON for the extension to be removed from the installation. The removed extension remains listed in your account, so you can add it again later if you need it.
A simple routine helps keep a modeling setup predictable: check compatibility, confirm how the extension is provided, add or trial it, restart SAMSON, and review your extension list when a project ends. For the full overview of SAMSON Connect, see the SAMSON Connect documentation.
Note: SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get SAMSON.