# Additional Service Configurations & Add-ons

DDEV projects can be extended using add-ons or custom Docker Compose services.

## DDEV Add-ons (Recommended)

Add-ons are pre-packaged extensions that provide services with automatic installation and configuration.

**See [Using Add-ons](<https://ddev.github.io/ddev/en/stable/users/extend/using-add-ons/index.md>) for:**

- Installing add-ons with `ddev add-on get`
- Managing and customizing add-ons
- Official add-on catalog

**See [Creating Add-ons](<https://ddev.github.io/ddev/en/stable/users/extend/creating-add-ons/index.md>) for:**

- Building your own add-ons
- Using PHP or Bash actions
- Publishing and sharing add-ons

## Custom Docker Compose Services

For specialized needs or deep customization, you can create custom services using `docker-compose.*.yaml` files.

**See [Custom Docker Compose Services](<https://ddev.github.io/ddev/en/stable/users/extend/custom-docker-services/index.md>) for:**

- Deciding when a custom service makes more sense than an add-on
- The `x-ddev` extension field and a gallery of worked examples
- Converting services to add-ons

**See [Defining Additional Services with Docker Compose](<https://ddev.github.io/ddev/en/stable/users/extend/custom-compose-files/index.md>) for:**

- How DDEV merges `docker-compose.*.yaml` files
- Required conventions: labels, container naming, the `build:`/`-built` tag pattern, port exposure

## Resources

- **[DDEV Add-on Registry](<https://addons.ddev.com/>)** - Browse and discover add-ons
- **[DDEV Add-on Template](<https://github.com/ddev/ddev-addon-template>)** - Template for creating add-ons