Creating a new map layer is just as easy as it is to create a normal StatelessWidget or StatefulWidget.

Only one method call is needed to 'connect' the widget to the map state: FlutterMapState.maybeOf(). This call does two important things:

• Cause the widget/layer to rebuild automatically when required (if in the build method)

• Expose the map's internal state, meaning that it's information (such as zoom) can be accessed

You can see an example of how this is done below:

One common requirement is a custom TileProvider, and potentially a custom ImageProvider inside. This will allow your plugin to intercept all tile requests made by a map, and take your own action(s), before finally returning a tile.

Some useful steps are below, but there are more properties of a TileProvider that can be overridden.

Extending The Base TileProvider

To create your own usable TileProvider, the first step is making a class that extends the abstract class. It is not recommended to implement the base, as this will require overriding methods unnecessarily for most custom providers.

class CustomTileProvider extends TileProvider {
    // Add your own custom properties, methods, etc.
    CustomTileProvider({
        // Suitably initialise your own custom properties
        super.headers, // Use the Dart 2.17 `super` syntax to initialise the base's header `Map`
    })
}

Overriding getImage

The majority of custom TileProviders will want to implement their own method to retrieve tiles. This is done by overriding the getImage method, and usually specifying your own ImageProvider, for example:

    @override
    ImageProvider getImage(Coords<num> coords, TileLayerOptions options) =>
        CustomImageProvider(
            options: options,
            coords: coords,
            headers: {
                ...headers,
                'User-Agent': headers['User-Agent'] == null
                    ? '<pluginName> for flutter_map (unknown)'
                    : '<pluginName> for ${headers['User-Agent']}',
            },
        );

Overriding getTileUrl

Some custom TileProviders may want to change the way URLs for tiles are generated. Note that this is quite advanced usage.

    @override
    String getTileUrl(Coords coords, TileLayerOptions options) {
        // Custom generation
    }

There are many independently maintained plugins created by the 'flutter_map' community that give extra, prebuilt functionality, saving you even more time and potentially money.

Unfortunately, you may need more niche functionality that hasn't been provided by an existing plugin or by 'flutter_map' itself. Alternatively, you may have found a gap in functionality that not everyone will need, but some people will: in this case, it's likely the maintainers will ask you to submit a plugin instead of a pull request.

Plugins can add/change a wide variety of functionality, so this guide is not exhaustive. However, it will help with the most common requirements. Each subpage covers a specific part of the plugin API, and the section below sets out requirements for plugins to be accepted into the list.

Submitting A New Plugin

If you've made your own plugin that you're willing to share, you can add it to this list by creating a pull request in GitHub. We're always looking forward to see what you've made!

When submitting a plugin & PR, please ensure the plugin:

• preferably includes 'flutter_map_' in the name

• preferably available via a pub.dev installation

• has good documentation

• includes a runnable example, and/or screenshots or recordings

• has a description that accurately and concisely represents your plugin

If you want to provide extra assistance to your users in a shared space, consider the official 'flutter_map' Discord server! Join using the link at the bottom of this page, and ping '@Github Maintainer' to be added to the 'Plugin Owner' role. You can then be easily identified and provide help or announcements in a dedicated plugins channel.