---
title: "System and Local Extensions"
manual: "TYPO3 Explained"
version: "11.5"
permalink: "https://docs.typo3.org/permalink/t3coreapi:extension-scope@11.5"
source: "ExtensionArchitecture/Concepts/SystemAndLocalExtensions.rst"
rendered: "2026-10-21T15:30:00+00:00"
---

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# System and Local Extensions {#extension-scope}

The files for an extension are located in a folder named by the
*extension key*. The location of this folder can be either inside
`typo3/sysext/` or `typo3conf/ext/`.

The extension *must* be programmed so that it does automatically
detect where it is located and can work from both locations.

## Local Extensions {#extension-local}

Local extensions are located in the `typo3conf/ext/` directory.

This is where to put extensions *which are local* for a particular
TYPO3 installation. The `typo3conf` directory is always local, containing
local configuration (e.g. `LocalConfiguration.php`), local modules etc.
If you put an extension here it will be available for a single TYPO3
installation only. This is a "per-database" way to install an
extension.

<a id="extension-global"></a>

## System Extensions {#extension-system}

System extensions are located in the `typo3/sysext/` directory.

This is system default extensions which cannot and should not be
updated by the EM. They are distributed with TYPO3 Core  source code
and generally understood to be a part of the Core system.

## Loading Precedence {#extension-loading-precedence}

Local extensions take precedence which means that if an extension
exists both in `typo3conf/ext/` and `typo3/sysext/` the one in `typo3conf/ext/`
is loaded. This means that extensions are loaded in the
order of priority local-system.