How to Install Custom Nodes in ComfyUI

This guide will show you different methods to install custom nodes in ComfyUI

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 compares three installation approaches. ComfyUI Manager is built into current ComfyUI releases for most setups—start from the ComfyUI Manager overview for what it does and how to enable it. Use Git clone or ZIP when a node is not on the registry or you need a specific revision.

Method	Advantages	Disadvantages
ComfyUI Manager (Recommended)	1. Automated installation 2. Dependency handling 3. GUI interface	Cannot directly search for nodes not registered in the registry
Git Clone	Can install nodes not registered in the registry	1. Requires Git knowledge 2. Manual dependency handling 3. Installation risks
Repository ZIP Download	1. 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.

Method 1: ComfyUI Manager (Recommended)

You need ComfyUI Manager available in your environment before using this method. If it is missing or disabled, see the ComfyUI Manager overview and installation guide.

ComfyUI Manager provides two UI versions for managing custom nodes. Choose the guide that matches your interface:

New UI (default for Desktop)

The new node management interface, enabled by default for Desktop users.

Legacy UI

The classic Manager interface for custom node 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

   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
   

   Manual Install

   Install dependencies in your ComfyUI environment

   cd [node directory]
   pip install -r 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 Code → Download ZIP on the GitHub page

   
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.