diff --git a/cspell.json b/cspell.json
index fec81a42b..7296ea871 100644
--- a/cspell.json
+++ b/cspell.json
@@ -40,6 +40,8 @@
         "cardview"
     ],
     "dictionaries": [
-        "html"
+        "html",
+        "en-gb",
+        "en_US"
     ]
 }
diff --git a/e2e/suites/actions/toolbar-multiple-selection.test.ts b/e2e/suites/actions/toolbar-multiple-selection.test.ts
index 56c39453b..c3c54dfa7 100755
--- a/e2e/suites/actions/toolbar-multiple-selection.test.ts
+++ b/e2e/suites/actions/toolbar-multiple-selection.test.ts
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@
 
 import { browser, protractor } from 'protractor';
 import { LoginPage, LogoutPage, BrowsingPage } from '../../pages/pages';
-import { SITE_VISIBILITY, SITE_ROLES, SIDEBAR_LABELS } from '../../configs';
+import { SITE_VISIBILITY, SITE_ROLES, SIDEBAR_LABELS, APP_ROUTES } from '../../configs';
 import { RepoClient } from '../../utilities/repo-client/repo-client';
 import { Utils } from '../../utilities/utils';
 
@@ -384,7 +384,8 @@ describe('Toolbar actions - multiple selection : ', () => {
         });
 
         beforeEach(done => {
-            page.sidenav.navigateToLinkByLabel(SIDEBAR_LABELS.SHARED_FILES)
+            // page.sidenav.navigateToLinkByLabel(SIDEBAR_LABELS.SHARED_FILES)
+            browser.get(APP_ROUTES.SHARED_FILES)
                 .then(() => dataTable.waitForHeader())
                 .then(done);
         });
diff --git a/src/app.config.json b/src/app.config.json
index 9bbfb77b6..aed6b248c 100644
--- a/src/app.config.json
+++ b/src/app.config.json
@@ -12,7 +12,8 @@
         "libraries": false,
         "comments": false,
         "cardview": false,
-        "share": false
+        "share": false,
+        "extensions": false
     },
     "headerColor": "#2196F3",
     "languagePicker": false,
@@ -31,65 +32,196 @@
         "preserveState": true,
         "expandedSidenav": true
     },
-    "navigation": {
-        "main": [
-            {
-                "icon": "folder",
-                "label": "APP.BROWSE.PERSONAL.SIDENAV_LINK.LABEL",
-                "title": "APP.BROWSE.PERSONAL.SIDENAV_LINK.TOOLTIP",
-                "disabled": false,
-                "route": {
-                    "url": "/personal-files"
-                }
-            },
-            {
-                "icon": "group_work",
-                "label": "APP.BROWSE.LIBRARIES.SIDENAV_LINK.LABEL",
-                "title": "APP.BROWSE.LIBRARIES.SIDENAV_LINK.TOOLTIP",
-                "disabled": false,
-                "route": {
-                    "url": "/libraries"
-                }
-            }
+    "extensions": {
+        "external": [
+            "plugin1.json",
+            "plugin2.json"
         ],
-        "secondary": [
-            {
-                "icon": "people",
-                "label": "APP.BROWSE.SHARED.SIDENAV_LINK.LABEL",
-                "title": "APP.BROWSE.SHARED.SIDENAV_LINK.TOOLTIP",
-                "disabled": false,
-                "route": {
-                    "url": "/shared"
+        "core": {
+            "routes": [
+                {
+                    "id": "aca:routes/about",
+                    "path": "ext/about",
+                    "component": "aca:components/about",
+                    "layout": "aca:layouts/main",
+                    "auth":[ "aca:auth" ],
+                    "data": {
+                        "title": "Custom About"
+                    }
                 }
-            },
-            {
-                "icon": "schedule",
-                "label": "APP.BROWSE.RECENT.SIDENAV_LINK.LABEL",
-                "title": "APP.BROWSE.RECENT.SIDENAV_LINK.TOOLTIP",
-                "disabled": false,
-                "route": {
-                    "url": "/recent-files"
+            ],
+            "actions": [
+                {
+                    "id": "aca:actions/info",
+                    "type": "SNACKBAR_INFO",
+                    "payload": "I'm a nice little popup raised by extension."
+                },
+                {
+                    "id": "aca:actions/error",
+                    "type": "SNACKBAR_ERROR",
+                    "payload": "Aw, Snap!"
+                },
+                {
+                    "id": "aca:actions/node-name",
+                    "type": "SNACKBAR_INFO",
+                    "payload": "$('Action for ' + context.selection.first.entry.name)"
+                },
+                {
+                    "id": "aca:actions/settings",
+                    "type": "NAVIGATE_URL",
+                    "payload": "/settings"
                 }
-            },
-            {
-                "icon": "star",
-                "label": "APP.BROWSE.FAVORITES.SIDENAV_LINK.LABEL",
-                "title": "APP.BROWSE.FAVORITES.SIDENAV_LINK.TOOLTIP",
-                "disabled": false,
-                "route": {
-                    "url": "/favorites"
-                }
-            },
-            {
-                "icon": "delete",
-                "label": "APP.BROWSE.TRASHCAN.SIDENAV_LINK.LABEL",
-                "title": "APP.BROWSE.TRASHCAN.SIDENAV_LINK.TOOLTIP",
-                "disabled": false,
-                "route": {
-                    "url": "/trashcan"
+            ],
+            "features": {
+                "create": [
+                    {
+                        "id": "aca:create/action1",
+                        "order": 100,
+                        "icon": "build",
+                        "title": "Error",
+                        "action": "aca:actions/error"
+                    }
+                ],
+                "navigation": {
+                    "aca:main": [
+                        {
+                            "id": "aca/personal-files",
+                            "order": 100,
+                            "icon": "folder",
+                            "title": "APP.BROWSE.PERSONAL.SIDENAV_LINK.LABEL",
+                            "description": "APP.BROWSE.PERSONAL.SIDENAV_LINK.TOOLTIP",
+                            "route": "personal-files"
+                        },
+                        {
+                            "id": "aca/libraries",
+                            "order": 101,
+                            "icon": "group_work",
+                            "title": "APP.BROWSE.LIBRARIES.SIDENAV_LINK.LABEL",
+                            "description": "APP.BROWSE.LIBRARIES.SIDENAV_LINK.TOOLTIP",
+                            "route": "libraries"
+                        }
+                    ],
+                    "aca:secondary": [
+                        {
+                            "id": "aca/shared",
+                            "order": 100,
+                            "icon": "people",
+                            "title": "APP.BROWSE.SHARED.SIDENAV_LINK.LABEL",
+                            "description": "APP.BROWSE.SHARED.SIDENAV_LINK.TOOLTIP",
+                            "route": "shared"
+                        },
+                        {
+                            "id": "aca/recent-files",
+                            "order": 101,
+                            "icon": "schedule",
+                            "title": "APP.BROWSE.RECENT.SIDENAV_LINK.LABEL",
+                            "description": "APP.BROWSE.RECENT.SIDENAV_LINK.TOOLTIP",
+                            "route": "recent-files"
+                        },
+                        {
+                            "id": "aca/favorites",
+                            "order": 102,
+                            "icon": "star",
+                            "title": "APP.BROWSE.FAVORITES.SIDENAV_LINK.LABEL",
+                            "description": "APP.BROWSE.FAVORITES.SIDENAV_LINK.TOOLTIP",
+                            "route": "favorites"
+                        },
+                        {
+                            "id": "aca/trashcan",
+                            "order": 103,
+                            "icon": "delete",
+                            "title": "APP.BROWSE.TRASHCAN.SIDENAV_LINK.LABEL",
+                            "description": "APP.BROWSE.TRASHCAN.SIDENAV_LINK.TOOLTIP",
+                            "route": "trashcan"
+                        }
+                    ],
+                    "aca:demo": [
+                        {
+                            "disabled": true,
+                            "id": "aca:demo/link1",
+                            "order": 100,
+                            "icon": "build",
+                            "title": "About (native)",
+                            "description": "Uses native application route",
+                            "route": "about"
+                        },
+                        {
+                            "disabled": true,
+                            "id": "aca:demo/link2",
+                            "order": 100,
+                            "icon": "build",
+                            "title": "About (custom)",
+                            "description": "Uses custom defined route",
+                            "route": "aca:routes/about"
+                        }
+                    ]
+                },
+                "viewer": {
+                    "open-with": [
+                        {
+                            "disabled": false,
+                            "id": "aca:viewer/action1",
+                            "order": 100,
+                            "icon": "build",
+                            "title": "Snackbar",
+                            "action": "aca:actions/info"
+                        }
+                    ]
+                },
+                "content": {
+                    "actions": [
+                        {
+                            "disabled": false,
+                            "id": "aca:action1",
+                            "order": 100,
+                            "title": "Info",
+                            "icon": "build",
+                            "target": {
+                                "type": "folder",
+                                "permissions": ["one", "two"],
+                                "action": "aca:actions/info"
+                            }
+                        },
+                        {
+                            "disabled": false,
+                            "id": "aca:action2",
+                            "order": 101,
+                            "title": "Node name",
+                            "icon": "feedback",
+                            "target": {
+                                "type": "folder",
+                                "permissions": ["one", "two"],
+                                "action": "aca:actions/node-name"
+                            }
+                        },
+                        {
+                            "disabled": false,
+                            "id": "aca:action3",
+                            "order": 101,
+                            "title": "Settings",
+                            "icon": "settings_applications",
+                            "target": {
+                                "type": "folder",
+                                "permissions": ["one", "two"],
+                                "action": "aca:actions/settings"
+                            }
+                        },
+                        {
+                            "disabled": false,
+                            "id": "aca:action4",
+                            "order": 101,
+                            "title": "Error",
+                            "icon": "report_problem",
+                            "target": {
+                                "type": "file",
+                                "permissions": ["one", "two"],
+                                "action": "aca:actions/error"
+                            }
+                        }
+                    ]
                 }
             }
-        ]
+        }
     },
     "languages": [
         {
diff --git a/src/app/app.component.ts b/src/app/app.component.ts
index 6023365bb..4f1b39f2d 100644
--- a/src/app/app.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/app.component.ts
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ import {
     SetLanguagePickerAction,
     SetSharedUrlAction
 } from './store/actions';
+import { ExtensionService } from './extensions/extension.service';
 
 @Component({
     selector: 'app-root',
@@ -51,7 +52,8 @@ export class AppComponent implements OnInit {
         private store: Store<AppStore>,
         private config: AppConfigService,
         private alfrescoApiService: AlfrescoApiService,
-        private authenticationService: AuthenticationService) {
+        private authenticationService: AuthenticationService,
+        private extensions: ExtensionService) {
     }
 
     ngOnInit() {
@@ -83,6 +85,12 @@ export class AppComponent implements OnInit {
 
                 pageTitle.setTitle(data.title || '');
             });
+
+        this.extensions.init();
+
+        this.router.config.unshift(
+            ...this.extensions.getApplicationRoutes()
+        );
     }
 
     private loadAppSettings() {
diff --git a/src/app/app.module.ts b/src/app/app.module.ts
index d12bb6a24..f5eba5d3f 100644
--- a/src/app/app.module.ts
+++ b/src/app/app.module.ts
@@ -82,6 +82,9 @@ import { DocumentListDirective } from './directives/document-list.directive';
 import { MaterialModule } from './material.module';
 import { ExperimentalDirective } from './directives/experimental.directive';
 import { ContentApiService } from './services/content-api.service';
+import { ExtensionsModule } from './extensions.module';
+import { ExtensionService } from './extensions/extension.service';
+import { CoreExtensionsModule } from './extensions/core.extensions';
 
 @NgModule({
     imports: [
@@ -96,7 +99,9 @@ import { ContentApiService } from './services/content-api.service';
         MaterialModule,
         CoreModule,
         ContentModule,
-        AppStoreModule
+        AppStoreModule,
+        CoreExtensionsModule,
+        ExtensionsModule
     ],
     declarations: [
         AppComponent,
@@ -155,7 +160,8 @@ import { ContentApiService } from './services/content-api.service';
         NodePermissionService,
         ProfileResolver,
         ExperimentalGuard,
-        ContentApiService
+        ContentApiService,
+        ExtensionService
     ],
     entryComponents: [
         NodeVersionsDialogComponent
diff --git a/src/app/components/favorites/favorites.component.html b/src/app/components/favorites/favorites.component.html
index 8e44beb9a..67b3c0cfe 100644
--- a/src/app/components/favorites/favorites.component.html
+++ b/src/app/components/favorites/favorites.component.html
@@ -10,7 +10,15 @@
             <mat-icon *ngIf="displayMode === 'gallery'" matTooltip="{{ 'APP.DOCUMENT_LIST.TOOLBAR.LISTVIEW' | translate }}">list</mat-icon>
         </button>
         <adf-toolbar class="inline" *ngIf="!selection.isEmpty">
-
+            <ng-container *ifExperimental="'extensions'">
+                <button *ngFor="let entry of actions"
+                    mat-icon-button
+                    color="primary"
+                    title="{{ entry.title | translate }}"
+                    (click)="runAction(entry.target.action)">
+                    <mat-icon>{{ entry.icon }}</mat-icon>
+                </button>
+            </ng-container>
             <button
                 mat-icon-button
                 color="primary"
diff --git a/src/app/components/favorites/favorites.component.ts b/src/app/components/favorites/favorites.component.ts
index 98336e2e7..59fc66972 100644
--- a/src/app/components/favorites/favorites.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/components/favorites/favorites.component.ts
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ import { NodePermissionService } from '../../common/services/node-permission.ser
 import { AppStore } from '../../store/states/app.state';
 import { PageComponent } from '../page.component';
 import { ContentApiService } from '../../services/content-api.service';
+import { ExtensionService } from '../../extensions/extension.service';
 
 @Component({
     templateUrl: './favorites.component.html'
@@ -45,11 +46,12 @@ export class FavoritesComponent extends PageComponent implements OnInit {
     constructor(
         private router: Router,
         store: Store<AppStore>,
+        extensions: ExtensionService,
         private contentApi: ContentApiService,
         private content: ContentManagementService,
         public permission: NodePermissionService
     ) {
-        super(store);
+        super(store, extensions);
     }
 
     ngOnInit() {
diff --git a/src/app/components/files/files.component.html b/src/app/components/files/files.component.html
index cb6bacffc..947e8da3b 100644
--- a/src/app/components/files/files.component.html
+++ b/src/app/components/files/files.component.html
@@ -13,6 +13,15 @@
             <mat-icon *ngIf="displayMode === 'gallery'" matTooltip="{{ 'APP.DOCUMENT_LIST.TOOLBAR.LISTVIEW' | translate }}">list</mat-icon>
         </button>
         <adf-toolbar class="inline" *ngIf="!selection.isEmpty">
+            <ng-container *ifExperimental="'extensions'">
+                <button *ngFor="let entry of actions"
+                    mat-icon-button
+                    color="primary"
+                    title="{{ entry.title | translate }}"
+                    (click)="runAction(entry.target.action)">
+                    <mat-icon>{{ entry.icon }}</mat-icon>
+                </button>
+            </ng-container>
             <button
                 color="primary"
                 mat-icon-button
diff --git a/src/app/components/files/files.component.ts b/src/app/components/files/files.component.ts
index 726c47567..ee74f4092 100644
--- a/src/app/components/files/files.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/components/files/files.component.ts
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ import { NodePermissionService } from '../../common/services/node-permission.ser
 import { AppStore } from '../../store/states/app.state';
 import { PageComponent } from '../page.component';
 import { ContentApiService } from '../../services/content-api.service';
+import { ExtensionService } from '../../extensions/extension.service';
 
 @Component({
     templateUrl: './files.component.html'
@@ -54,8 +55,9 @@ export class FilesComponent extends PageComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
                 private uploadService: UploadService,
                 private contentManagementService: ContentManagementService,
                 private browsingFilesService: BrowsingFilesService,
-                public permission: NodePermissionService) {
-        super(store);
+                public permission: NodePermissionService,
+                extensions: ExtensionService) {
+        super(store, extensions);
     }
 
     ngOnInit() {
diff --git a/src/app/components/libraries/libraries.component.spec.ts b/src/app/components/libraries/libraries.component.spec.ts
index fe340e282..5137e2992 100644
--- a/src/app/components/libraries/libraries.component.spec.ts
+++ b/src/app/components/libraries/libraries.component.spec.ts
@@ -34,9 +34,9 @@ import {
 import { DocumentListComponent } from '@alfresco/adf-content-services';
 import { ShareDataTableAdapter } from '@alfresco/adf-content-services';
 import { LibrariesComponent } from './libraries.component';
-import { ExperimentalDirective } from '../../directives/experimental.directive';
 import { AppTestingModule } from '../../testing/app-testing.module';
 import { ContentApiService } from '../../services/content-api.service';
+import { ExperimentalDirective } from '../../directives/experimental.directive';
 
 describe('LibrariesComponent', () => {
     let fixture: ComponentFixture<LibrariesComponent>;
diff --git a/src/app/components/libraries/libraries.component.ts b/src/app/components/libraries/libraries.component.ts
index 201bcec1f..372d02581 100644
--- a/src/app/components/libraries/libraries.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/components/libraries/libraries.component.ts
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ import { DeleteLibraryAction } from '../../store/actions';
 import { SiteEntry } from 'alfresco-js-api';
 import { ContentManagementService } from '../../common/services/content-management.service';
 import { ContentApiService } from '../../services/content-api.service';
+import { ExtensionService } from '../../extensions/extension.service';
 
 @Component({
     templateUrl: './libraries.component.html'
@@ -44,8 +45,9 @@ export class LibrariesComponent extends PageComponent implements OnInit {
                 private content: ContentManagementService,
                 private contentApi: ContentApiService,
                 store: Store<AppStore>,
+                extensions: ExtensionService,
                 private router: Router) {
-        super(store);
+        super(store, extensions);
     }
 
     ngOnInit() {
diff --git a/src/app/components/page.component.spec.ts b/src/app/components/page.component.spec.ts
index d44f5a257..b94e01437 100644
--- a/src/app/components/page.component.spec.ts
+++ b/src/app/components/page.component.spec.ts
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ class TestClass extends PageComponent {
     node: any;
 
     constructor() {
-        super(null);
+        super(null, null);
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/app/components/page.component.ts b/src/app/components/page.component.ts
index 8acd475f9..d883f9b50 100644
--- a/src/app/components/page.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/components/page.component.ts
@@ -35,6 +35,8 @@ import { appSelection, sharedUrl } from '../store/selectors/app.selectors';
 import { AppStore } from '../store/states/app.state';
 import { SelectionState } from '../store/states/selection.state';
 import { Observable } from 'rxjs/Rx';
+import { ExtensionService } from '../extensions/extension.service';
+import { ContentActionExtension } from '../extensions/content-action.extension';
 
 export abstract class PageComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
 
@@ -49,6 +51,7 @@ export abstract class PageComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
     selection: SelectionState;
     displayMode = DisplayMode.List;
     sharedPreviewUrl$: Observable<string>;
+    actions: Array<ContentActionExtension> = [];
 
     protected subscriptions: Subscription[] = [];
 
@@ -56,7 +59,9 @@ export abstract class PageComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
         return node.isLocked || (node.properties && node.properties['cm:lockType'] === 'READ_ONLY_LOCK');
     }
 
-    constructor(protected store: Store<AppStore>) {}
+    constructor(
+        protected store: Store<AppStore>,
+        protected extensions: ExtensionService) {}
 
     ngOnInit() {
         this.sharedPreviewUrl$ = this.store.select(sharedUrl);
@@ -68,6 +73,21 @@ export abstract class PageComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
                 this.selection = selection;
                 if (selection.isEmpty) {
                     this.infoDrawerOpened = false;
+                    this.actions = [];
+                } else {
+                    this.actions = this.extensions.contentActions.filter(action => {
+                        if (action.target && action.target.type) {
+                            switch (action.target.type.toLowerCase()) {
+                                case 'folder':
+                                    return selection.folder ? true : false;
+                                case 'file':
+                                    return selection.file ? true : false;
+                                default:
+                                    return false;
+                            }
+                        }
+                        return false;
+                    });
                 }
             });
     }
@@ -144,4 +164,14 @@ export abstract class PageComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
         this.displayMode = this.displayMode === DisplayMode.List ? DisplayMode.Gallery : DisplayMode.List;
         this.documentList.display = this.displayMode;
     }
+
+    // this is where each application decides how to treat an action and what to do
+    // the ACA maps actions to the NgRx actions as an example
+    runAction(actionId: string) {
+        const context = {
+            selection: this.selection
+        };
+
+        this.extensions.runActionById(actionId, context);
+    }
 }
diff --git a/src/app/components/preview/preview.component.html b/src/app/components/preview/preview.component.html
index 69792d026..82521583c 100644
--- a/src/app/components/preview/preview.component.html
+++ b/src/app/components/preview/preview.component.html
@@ -35,6 +35,15 @@
         (navigateBefore)="onNavigateBefore()"
         (navigateNext)="onNavigateNext()">
 
+        <adf-viewer-open-with *ifExperimental="'extensions'">
+            <button *ngFor="let entry of openWith"
+                mat-menu-item
+                (click)="runAction(entry.action)">
+                <mat-icon>{{ entry.icon }}</mat-icon>
+                <span>{{ entry.title }}</span>
+            </button>
+        </adf-viewer-open-with>
+
         <adf-viewer-more-actions>
 
             <button
diff --git a/src/app/components/preview/preview.component.ts b/src/app/components/preview/preview.component.ts
index 81bbdfdb3..ff1d7064c 100644
--- a/src/app/components/preview/preview.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/components/preview/preview.component.ts
@@ -33,6 +33,8 @@ import { AppStore } from '../../store/states/app.state';
 import { DeleteNodesAction } from '../../store/actions';
 import { PageComponent } from '../page.component';
 import { ContentApiService } from '../../services/content-api.service';
+import { ExtensionService } from '../../extensions/extension.service';
+import { OpenWithExtension } from '../../extensions/open-with.extension';
 @Component({
     selector: 'app-preview',
     templateUrl: 'preview.component.html',
@@ -55,6 +57,7 @@ export class PreviewComponent extends PageComponent implements OnInit {
     navigateMultiple = false;
 
     selectedEntities: MinimalNodeEntity[] = [];
+    openWith: Array<OpenWithExtension> = [];
 
     constructor(
         private contentApi: ContentApiService,
@@ -63,9 +66,9 @@ export class PreviewComponent extends PageComponent implements OnInit {
         private route: ActivatedRoute,
         private router: Router,
         store: Store<AppStore>,
-        public permission: NodePermissionService) {
-
-        super(store);
+        public permission: NodePermissionService,
+        extensions: ExtensionService) {
+        super(store, extensions);
     }
 
     ngOnInit() {
@@ -97,6 +100,8 @@ export class PreviewComponent extends PageComponent implements OnInit {
         this.subscriptions = this.subscriptions.concat([
             this.uploadService.fileUploadError.subscribe((error) => this.onFileUploadedError(error))
         ]);
+
+        this.openWith = this.extensions.openWithActions;
     }
 
     /**
@@ -359,4 +364,10 @@ export class PreviewComponent extends PageComponent implements OnInit {
             return acc;
         }, []);
     }
+
+    // this is where each application decides how to treat an action and what to do
+    // the ACA maps actions to the NgRx actions as an example
+    runAction(actionId: string) {
+        this.extensions.runActionById(actionId);
+    }
 }
diff --git a/src/app/components/recent-files/recent-files.component.html b/src/app/components/recent-files/recent-files.component.html
index 5ce0029fd..aba56b74c 100644
--- a/src/app/components/recent-files/recent-files.component.html
+++ b/src/app/components/recent-files/recent-files.component.html
@@ -10,7 +10,15 @@
             <mat-icon *ngIf="displayMode === 'gallery'" matTooltip="{{ 'APP.DOCUMENT_LIST.TOOLBAR.LISTVIEW' | translate }}">list</mat-icon>
         </button>
         <adf-toolbar class="inline" *ngIf="!selection.isEmpty">
-
+            <ng-container *ifExperimental="'extensions'">
+                <button *ngFor="let entry of actions"
+                    mat-icon-button
+                    color="primary"
+                    title="{{ entry.title | translate }}"
+                    (click)="runAction(entry.target.action)">
+                    <mat-icon>{{ entry.icon }}</mat-icon>
+                </button>
+            </ng-container>
             <button
                 mat-icon-button
                 color="primary"
diff --git a/src/app/components/recent-files/recent-files.component.ts b/src/app/components/recent-files/recent-files.component.ts
index f9581e608..5c257cbcc 100644
--- a/src/app/components/recent-files/recent-files.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/components/recent-files/recent-files.component.ts
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ import { PageComponent } from '../page.component';
 import { NodePermissionService } from '../../common/services/node-permission.service';
 import { Store } from '@ngrx/store';
 import { AppStore } from '../../store/states/app.state';
+import { ExtensionService } from '../../extensions/extension.service';
 
 @Component({
     templateUrl: './recent-files.component.html'
@@ -40,10 +41,11 @@ export class RecentFilesComponent extends PageComponent implements OnInit {
 
     constructor(
         store: Store<AppStore>,
+        extensions: ExtensionService,
         private uploadService: UploadService,
         private content: ContentManagementService,
         public permission: NodePermissionService) {
-        super(store);
+        super(store, extensions);
     }
 
     ngOnInit() {
diff --git a/src/app/components/search/search.component.html b/src/app/components/search/search.component.html
index 5ef9c4e63..1ba53b3a6 100644
--- a/src/app/components/search/search.component.html
+++ b/src/app/components/search/search.component.html
@@ -3,6 +3,15 @@
         <adf-breadcrumb root="APP.BROWSE.SEARCH.TITLE">
         </adf-breadcrumb>
         <adf-toolbar class="inline" *ngIf="!selection.isEmpty">
+            <ng-container *ifExperimental="'extensions'">
+                <button *ngFor="let entry of actions"
+                    mat-icon-button
+                    color="primary"
+                    title="{{ entry.title | translate }}"
+                    (click)="runAction(entry.target.action)">
+                    <mat-icon>{{ entry.icon }}</mat-icon>
+                </button>
+            </ng-container>
             <button
                 color="primary"
                 mat-icon-button
diff --git a/src/app/components/search/search.component.ts b/src/app/components/search/search.component.ts
index d965642bc..d150aa373 100644
--- a/src/app/components/search/search.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/components/search/search.component.ts
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ import { PageComponent } from '../page.component';
 import { Store } from '@ngrx/store';
 import { AppStore } from '../../store/states/app.state';
 import { NavigateToFolder } from '../../store/actions';
+import { ExtensionService } from '../../extensions/extension.service';
 
 @Component({
   selector: 'app-search',
@@ -53,9 +54,10 @@ export class SearchComponent extends PageComponent implements OnInit {
         public permission: NodePermissionService,
         private queryBuilder: SearchQueryBuilderService,
         private route: ActivatedRoute,
-        store: Store<AppStore>
+        store: Store<AppStore>,
+        extensions: ExtensionService
     ) {
-        super(store);
+        super(store, extensions);
 
         queryBuilder.paging = {
             skipCount: 0,
diff --git a/src/app/components/settings/settings.component.html b/src/app/components/settings/settings.component.html
index 55320c511..da4df8162 100644
--- a/src/app/components/settings/settings.component.html
+++ b/src/app/components/settings/settings.component.html
@@ -80,7 +80,6 @@
                 Cardview
             </mat-checkbox>
         </div>
-
         <div>
             <mat-checkbox
                 [(ngModel)]="share"
@@ -88,5 +87,12 @@
                 Share
             </mat-checkbox>
         </div>
+        <div>
+            <mat-checkbox
+                [(ngModel)]="extensions"
+                (change)="onChangeExtensionsFeature($event)">
+                Extensions
+            </mat-checkbox>
+        </div>
     </mat-expansion-panel>
 </mat-accordion>
diff --git a/src/app/components/settings/settings.component.ts b/src/app/components/settings/settings.component.ts
index 138460848..4ed9f18cd 100644
--- a/src/app/components/settings/settings.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/components/settings/settings.component.ts
@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@ export class SettingsComponent implements OnInit {
     comments: boolean;
     cardview: boolean;
     share: boolean;
+    extensions: boolean;
 
     constructor(
         private store: Store<AppStore>,
@@ -86,6 +87,9 @@ export class SettingsComponent implements OnInit {
 
         const share = this.appConfig.get('experimental.share');
         this.share = (share === true || share === 'true');
+
+        const extensions = this.appConfig.get('experimental.extensions');
+        this.extensions = (extensions === true || extensions === 'true');
     }
 
     apply(model: any, isValid: boolean) {
@@ -121,4 +125,8 @@ export class SettingsComponent implements OnInit {
     onChangeShareFeature(event: MatCheckboxChange) {
         this.storage.setItem('experimental.share', event.checked.toString());
     }
+
+    onChangeExtensionsFeature(event: MatCheckboxChange) {
+        this.storage.setItem('experimental.extensions', event.checked.toString());
+    }
 }
diff --git a/src/app/components/shared-files/shared-files.component.html b/src/app/components/shared-files/shared-files.component.html
index b1f346efc..79ad47d63 100644
--- a/src/app/components/shared-files/shared-files.component.html
+++ b/src/app/components/shared-files/shared-files.component.html
@@ -10,6 +10,15 @@
             <mat-icon *ngIf="displayMode === 'gallery'" matTooltip="{{ 'APP.DOCUMENT_LIST.TOOLBAR.LISTVIEW' | translate }}">list</mat-icon>
         </button>
         <adf-toolbar class="inline" *ngIf="!selection.isEmpty">
+            <ng-container *ifExperimental="'extensions'">
+                <button *ngFor="let entry of actions"
+                    mat-icon-button
+                    color="primary"
+                    title="{{ entry.title | translate }}"
+                    (click)="runAction(entry.target.action)">
+                    <mat-icon>{{ entry.icon }}</mat-icon>
+                </button>
+            </ng-container>
             <button
                 *ngIf="selection.count === 1"
                 color="primary"
diff --git a/src/app/components/shared-files/shared-files.component.ts b/src/app/components/shared-files/shared-files.component.ts
index 01058f99b..7428f4483 100644
--- a/src/app/components/shared-files/shared-files.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/components/shared-files/shared-files.component.ts
@@ -31,17 +31,20 @@ import { NodePermissionService } from '../../common/services/node-permission.ser
 import { PageComponent } from '../page.component';
 import { Store } from '@ngrx/store';
 import { AppStore } from '../../store/states/app.state';
+import { ExtensionService } from '../../extensions/extension.service';
 
 @Component({
     templateUrl: './shared-files.component.html'
 })
 export class SharedFilesComponent extends PageComponent implements OnInit {
-
-    constructor(store: Store<AppStore>,
-                private uploadService: UploadService,
-                private content: ContentManagementService,
-                public permission: NodePermissionService) {
-        super(store);
+    constructor(
+        store: Store<AppStore>,
+        extensions: ExtensionService,
+        private uploadService: UploadService,
+        private content: ContentManagementService,
+        public permission: NodePermissionService
+    ) {
+        super(store, extensions);
     }
 
     ngOnInit() {
@@ -52,7 +55,9 @@ export class SharedFilesComponent extends PageComponent implements OnInit {
             this.content.nodesMoved.subscribe(() => this.reload()),
             this.content.nodesRestored.subscribe(() => this.reload()),
             this.content.linksUnshared.subscribe(() => this.reload()),
-            this.uploadService.fileUploadError.subscribe((error) => this.onFileUploadedError(error))
+            this.uploadService.fileUploadError.subscribe(error =>
+                this.onFileUploadedError(error)
+            )
         ]);
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/app/components/sidenav/sidenav.component.html b/src/app/components/sidenav/sidenav.component.html
index 65dbccf6e..dd1e53610 100644
--- a/src/app/components/sidenav/sidenav.component.html
+++ b/src/app/components/sidenav/sidenav.component.html
@@ -6,6 +6,14 @@
                 <mat-icon [title]="'APP.NEW_MENU.TOOLTIP' | translate">queue</mat-icon>
             </div>
             <div sidebar-menu-options>
+                <ng-container *ifExperimental="'extensions'">
+                    <button *ngFor="let entry of createActions"
+                        mat-menu-item
+                        (click)="runAction(entry.action)">
+                        <mat-icon>{{ entry.icon }}</mat-icon>
+                        <span>{{ entry.title | translate }}</span>
+                    </button>
+                </ng-container>
                 <button
                     mat-menu-item
                     [disabled]="!permission.check(node, ['create'])"
@@ -48,16 +56,17 @@
         </adf-sidebar-action-menu>
     </div>
 
-    <div class="sidenav__section sidenav__section--menu" *ngFor="let list of navigation">
+    <div class="sidenav__section sidenav__section--menu" *ngFor="let group of groups">
         <ul class="sidenav-menu">
-            <li *ngFor="let item of list" class="sidenav-menu__item"
+            <li *ngFor="let item of group" class="sidenav-menu__item"
                 routerLinkActive
                 #rla="routerLinkActive"
-                title="{{ item.title || '' | translate }}">
+                title="{{ item.description | translate }}">
 
-                <button [routerLink]="item.route.url"
+                <button
+                    [routerLink]="item.route"
                     [color]="rla.isActive ? 'accent': 'primary'"
-                    [attr.aria-label]="item.label | translate"
+                    [attr.aria-label]="item.title | translate"
                     mat-icon-button
                     mat-ripple
                     matRippleColor="primary"
@@ -68,13 +77,13 @@
                 </button>
 
                 <span #rippleTrigger
+                    [routerLink]="item.route"
                     class="menu__item--label"
-                    [routerLink]="item.route.url"
                     [hidden]="!showLabel"
                     [ngClass]="{
                         'menu__item--active': rla.isActive,
                         'menu__item--default': !rla.isActive
-                    }">{{ item.label | translate }}</span>
+                    }">{{ item.title | translate }}</span>
             </li>
         </ul>
     </div>
diff --git a/src/app/components/sidenav/sidenav.component.spec.ts b/src/app/components/sidenav/sidenav.component.spec.ts
index b237127e5..f1c53c930 100644
--- a/src/app/components/sidenav/sidenav.component.spec.ts
+++ b/src/app/components/sidenav/sidenav.component.spec.ts
@@ -25,26 +25,17 @@
 
 import { NO_ERRORS_SCHEMA } from '@angular/core';
 import { TestBed, async, ComponentFixture } from '@angular/core/testing';
-import { AppConfigService } from '@alfresco/adf-core';
 import { BrowsingFilesService } from '../../common/services/browsing-files.service';
 import { SidenavComponent } from './sidenav.component';
 import { EffectsModule } from '@ngrx/effects';
 import { NodeEffects } from '../../store/effects/node.effects';
 import { AppTestingModule } from '../../testing/app-testing.module';
+import { ExperimentalDirective } from '../../directives/experimental.directive';
 
 describe('SidenavComponent', () => {
     let fixture: ComponentFixture<SidenavComponent>;
     let component: SidenavComponent;
     let browsingService: BrowsingFilesService;
-    let appConfig: AppConfigService;
-    let appConfigSpy;
-
-    const navItem = {
-        label: 'some-label',
-        route: {
-            url: '/some-url'
-        }
-    };
 
     beforeEach(async(() => {
         TestBed.configureTestingModule({
@@ -53,19 +44,17 @@ describe('SidenavComponent', () => {
                 EffectsModule.forRoot([NodeEffects])
             ],
             declarations: [
-                SidenavComponent
+                SidenavComponent,
+                ExperimentalDirective
             ],
             schemas: [ NO_ERRORS_SCHEMA ]
         })
         .compileComponents()
         .then(() => {
             browsingService = TestBed.get(BrowsingFilesService);
-            appConfig = TestBed.get(AppConfigService);
 
             fixture = TestBed.createComponent(SidenavComponent);
             component = fixture.componentInstance;
-
-            appConfigSpy = spyOn(appConfig, 'get').and.returnValue([navItem]);
         });
     }));
 
@@ -77,20 +66,4 @@ describe('SidenavComponent', () => {
 
         expect(component.node).toBe(node);
     });
-
-    describe('menu', () => {
-        it('should build menu from array', () => {
-            appConfigSpy.and.returnValue([navItem, navItem]);
-            fixture.detectChanges();
-
-            expect(component.navigation).toEqual([[navItem, navItem]]);
-        });
-
-        it('should build menu from object', () => {
-            appConfigSpy.and.returnValue({ a: [navItem, navItem], b: [navItem, navItem] });
-            fixture.detectChanges();
-
-            expect(component.navigation).toEqual([[navItem, navItem], [navItem, navItem]]);
-        });
-    });
 });
diff --git a/src/app/components/sidenav/sidenav.component.ts b/src/app/components/sidenav/sidenav.component.ts
index b667661a7..438fb4d00 100644
--- a/src/app/components/sidenav/sidenav.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/components/sidenav/sidenav.component.ts
@@ -26,11 +26,11 @@
 import { Subscription } from 'rxjs/Rx';
 import { Component, Input, OnInit, OnDestroy } from '@angular/core';
 import { MinimalNodeEntryEntity } from 'alfresco-js-api';
-import { AppConfigService } from '@alfresco/adf-core';
-
-
 import { BrowsingFilesService } from '../../common/services/browsing-files.service';
 import { NodePermissionService } from '../../common/services/node-permission.service';
+import { ExtensionService } from '../../extensions/extension.service';
+import { NavigationExtension } from '../../extensions/navigation.extension';
+import { CreateExtension } from '../../extensions/create.extension';
 
 @Component({
     selector: 'app-sidenav',
@@ -41,22 +41,25 @@ export class SidenavComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
     @Input() showLabel: boolean;
 
     node: MinimalNodeEntryEntity = null;
-    navigation = [];
+    groups: Array<NavigationExtension[]> = [];
+    createActions: Array<CreateExtension> = [];
 
     private subscriptions: Subscription[] = [];
 
     constructor(
         private browsingFilesService: BrowsingFilesService,
-        private appConfig: AppConfigService,
-        public permission: NodePermissionService
+        public permission: NodePermissionService,
+        private extensions: ExtensionService
     ) {}
 
     ngOnInit() {
-        this.navigation = this.buildMenu();
+        this.groups = this.extensions.getNavigationGroups();
+        this.createActions = this.extensions.createActions;
 
         this.subscriptions.concat([
-            this.browsingFilesService.onChangeParent
-                .subscribe((node: MinimalNodeEntryEntity) => this.node = node)
+            this.browsingFilesService.onChangeParent.subscribe(
+                (node: MinimalNodeEntryEntity) => (this.node = node)
+            )
         ]);
     }
 
@@ -64,10 +67,9 @@ export class SidenavComponent implements OnInit, OnDestroy {
         this.subscriptions.forEach(s => s.unsubscribe());
     }
 
-    private buildMenu() {
-        const schema = this.appConfig.get('navigation');
-        const data = Array.isArray(schema) ? { main: schema } : schema;
-
-        return Object.keys(data).map((key) => data[key]);
+    // this is where each application decides how to treat an action and what to do
+    // the ACA maps actions to the NgRx actions as an example
+    runAction(actionId: string) {
+        this.extensions.runActionById(actionId);
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/app/components/trashcan/trashcan.component.html b/src/app/components/trashcan/trashcan.component.html
index e0f38f48b..87e566cc0 100644
--- a/src/app/components/trashcan/trashcan.component.html
+++ b/src/app/components/trashcan/trashcan.component.html
@@ -10,6 +10,15 @@
             <mat-icon *ngIf="displayMode === 'gallery'" matTooltip="{{ 'APP.DOCUMENT_LIST.TOOLBAR.LISTVIEW' | translate }}">list</mat-icon>
         </button>
         <adf-toolbar class="inline" *ngIf="!selection.isEmpty">
+            <ng-container *ifExperimental="'extensions'">
+                <button *ngFor="let entry of actions"
+                    mat-icon-button
+                    color="primary"
+                    title="{{ entry.title | translate }}"
+                    (click)="runAction(entry.target.action)">
+                    <mat-icon>{{ entry.icon }}</mat-icon>
+                </button>
+            </ng-container>
             <button
                 color="primary"
                 mat-icon-button
diff --git a/src/app/components/trashcan/trashcan.component.ts b/src/app/components/trashcan/trashcan.component.ts
index f754cf3f4..f02a03dbf 100644
--- a/src/app/components/trashcan/trashcan.component.ts
+++ b/src/app/components/trashcan/trashcan.component.ts
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ import { Store } from '@ngrx/store';
 import { selectUser } from '../../store/selectors/app.selectors';
 import { AppStore } from '../../store/states/app.state';
 import { ProfileState } from '../../store/states/profile.state';
+import { ExtensionService } from '../../extensions/extension.service';
 
 @Component({
     templateUrl: './trashcan.component.html'
@@ -38,8 +39,9 @@ export class TrashcanComponent extends PageComponent implements OnInit {
     user: ProfileState;
 
     constructor(private contentManagementService: ContentManagementService,
+                extensions: ExtensionService,
                 store: Store<AppStore>) {
-        super(store);
+        super(store, extensions);
     }
 
     ngOnInit() {
diff --git a/src/app/extensions.module.ts b/src/app/extensions.module.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c8579ab0c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/extensions.module.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+import { NgModule } from '@angular/core';
+
+// Main entry point for external extensions only.
+// For any application-specific code use CoreExtensionsModule instead.
+@NgModule({
+    imports: []
+})
+export class ExtensionsModule {}
diff --git a/src/app/extensions/action.extension.ts b/src/app/extensions/action.extension.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b7fac6928
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/extensions/action.extension.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+/*!
+ * @license
+ * Alfresco Example Content Application
+ *
+ * Copyright (C) 2005 - 2018 Alfresco Software Limited
+ *
+ * This file is part of the Alfresco Example Content Application.
+ * If the software was purchased under a paid Alfresco license, the terms of
+ * the paid license agreement will prevail.  Otherwise, the software is
+ * provided under the following open source license terms:
+ *
+ * The Alfresco Example Content Application is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * The Alfresco Example Content Application is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
+ * along with Alfresco. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+export interface ActionExtension {
+    id: string;
+    type: string;
+    payload?: string;
+}
diff --git a/src/app/extensions/content-action.extension.ts b/src/app/extensions/content-action.extension.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c11158f76
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/extensions/content-action.extension.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+/*!
+ * @license
+ * Alfresco Example Content Application
+ *
+ * Copyright (C) 2005 - 2018 Alfresco Software Limited
+ *
+ * This file is part of the Alfresco Example Content Application.
+ * If the software was purchased under a paid Alfresco license, the terms of
+ * the paid license agreement will prevail.  Otherwise, the software is
+ * provided under the following open source license terms:
+ *
+ * The Alfresco Example Content Application is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * The Alfresco Example Content Application is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
+ * along with Alfresco. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+export interface ContentActionExtension {
+    id: string;
+    order?: number;
+    title: string;
+    icon?: string;
+    disabled?: boolean;
+    target: {
+        type: string;
+        permissions: Array<string>,
+        action: string;
+    };
+}
diff --git a/src/app/extensions/core.extensions.ts b/src/app/extensions/core.extensions.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f32e91d94
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/extensions/core.extensions.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+/*!
+ * @license
+ * Alfresco Example Content Application
+ *
+ * Copyright (C) 2005 - 2018 Alfresco Software Limited
+ *
+ * This file is part of the Alfresco Example Content Application.
+ * If the software was purchased under a paid Alfresco license, the terms of
+ * the paid license agreement will prevail.  Otherwise, the software is
+ * provided under the following open source license terms:
+ *
+ * The Alfresco Example Content Application is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * The Alfresco Example Content Application is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
+ * along with Alfresco. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+import { NgModule } from '@angular/core';
+import { AuthGuardEcm } from '@alfresco/adf-core';
+import { ExtensionService } from './extension.service';
+import { AboutComponent } from '../components/about/about.component';
+import { LayoutComponent } from '../components/layout/layout.component';
+
+@NgModule({
+    imports: [],
+    declarations: [],
+    entryComponents: [AboutComponent]
+})
+export class CoreExtensionsModule {
+    constructor(extensions: ExtensionService) {
+        extensions.components['aca:layouts/main'] = LayoutComponent;
+        extensions.components['aca:components/about'] = AboutComponent;
+        extensions.authGuards['aca:auth'] = AuthGuardEcm;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/app/extensions/create.extension.ts b/src/app/extensions/create.extension.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8393f9758
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/extensions/create.extension.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+/*!
+ * @license
+ * Alfresco Example Content Application
+ *
+ * Copyright (C) 2005 - 2018 Alfresco Software Limited
+ *
+ * This file is part of the Alfresco Example Content Application.
+ * If the software was purchased under a paid Alfresco license, the terms of
+ * the paid license agreement will prevail.  Otherwise, the software is
+ * provided under the following open source license terms:
+ *
+ * The Alfresco Example Content Application is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * The Alfresco Example Content Application is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
+ * along with Alfresco. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+export interface CreateExtension {
+    id: string;
+    order?: number;
+    title: string;
+    icon?: string;
+    action: string;
+    disabled?: boolean;
+}
diff --git a/src/app/extensions/extension.service.ts b/src/app/extensions/extension.service.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..1f59e862c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/extensions/extension.service.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,186 @@
+/*!
+ * @license
+ * Alfresco Example Content Application
+ *
+ * Copyright (C) 2005 - 2018 Alfresco Software Limited
+ *
+ * This file is part of the Alfresco Example Content Application.
+ * If the software was purchased under a paid Alfresco license, the terms of
+ * the paid license agreement will prevail.  Otherwise, the software is
+ * provided under the following open source license terms:
+ *
+ * The Alfresco Example Content Application is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * The Alfresco Example Content Application is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
+ * along with Alfresco. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+import { Injectable, Type } from '@angular/core';
+import { RouteExtension } from './route.extension';
+import { ActionExtension } from './action.extension';
+import { AppConfigService } from '@alfresco/adf-core';
+import { ContentActionExtension } from './content-action.extension';
+import { OpenWithExtension } from './open-with.extension';
+import { AppStore } from '../store/states';
+import { Store } from '@ngrx/store';
+import { NavigationExtension } from './navigation.extension';
+import { Route } from '@angular/router';
+import { CreateExtension } from './create.extension';
+
+@Injectable()
+export class ExtensionService {
+    routes: Array<RouteExtension> = [];
+    actions: Array<ActionExtension> = [];
+
+    contentActions: Array<ContentActionExtension> = [];
+    openWithActions: Array<OpenWithExtension> = [];
+    createActions: Array<CreateExtension> = [];
+
+    authGuards: { [key: string]: Type<{}> } = {};
+    components: { [key: string]: Type<{}> } = {};
+
+    constructor(
+        private config: AppConfigService,
+        private store: Store<AppStore>
+    ) {}
+
+    // initialise extension service
+    // in future will also load and merge data from the external plugins
+    init() {
+        this.routes = this.config.get<Array<RouteExtension>>(
+            'extensions.core.routes',
+            []
+        );
+
+        this.actions = this.config.get<Array<ActionExtension>>(
+            'extensions.core.actions',
+            []
+        );
+
+        this.contentActions = this.config
+            .get<Array<ContentActionExtension>>(
+                'extensions.core.features.content.actions',
+                []
+            )
+            .filter(entry => !entry.disabled)
+            .sort(this.sortByOrder);
+
+        this.openWithActions = this.config
+            .get<Array<OpenWithExtension>>(
+                'extensions.core.features.viewer.open-with',
+                []
+            )
+            .filter(entry => !entry.disabled)
+            .sort(this.sortByOrder);
+
+        this.createActions = this.config
+            .get<Array<CreateExtension>>('extensions.core.features.create', [])
+            .filter(entry => !entry.disabled)
+            .sort(this.sortByOrder);
+    }
+
+    getRouteById(id: string): RouteExtension {
+        return this.routes.find(route => route.id === id);
+    }
+
+    getActionById(id: string): ActionExtension {
+        return this.actions.find(action => action.id === id);
+    }
+
+    runActionById(id: string, context?: any) {
+        const action = this.getActionById(id);
+        if (action) {
+            const { type, payload } = action;
+            const expression = this.runExpression(payload, context);
+
+            this.store.dispatch({ type, payload: expression });
+        }
+    }
+
+    getNavigationGroups(): Array<NavigationExtension[]> {
+        const settings = this.config.get<any>(
+            'extensions.core.features.navigation'
+        );
+        if (settings) {
+            const groups = Object.keys(settings).map(key => {
+                return settings[key]
+                    .map(group => {
+                        const customRoute = this.getRouteById(group.route);
+                        const route = `/${
+                            customRoute ? customRoute.path : group.route
+                        }`;
+
+                        return {
+                            ...group,
+                            route
+                        };
+                    })
+                    .filter(entry => !entry.disabled);
+            });
+
+            return groups;
+        }
+
+        return [];
+    }
+
+    getAuthGuards(ids: string[] = []): Array<Type<{}>> {
+        return ids.map(id => this.authGuards[id]);
+    }
+
+    getComponentById(id: string): Type<{}> {
+        return this.components[id];
+    }
+
+    runExpression(value: string, context?: any) {
+        const pattern = new RegExp(/\$\((.*\)?)\)/g);
+        const matches = pattern.exec(value);
+
+        if (matches && matches.length > 1) {
+            const expression = matches[1];
+            const fn = new Function('context', `return ${expression}`);
+            const result = fn(context);
+
+            return result;
+        }
+
+        return value;
+    }
+
+    getApplicationRoutes(): Array<Route> {
+        return this.routes.map(route => {
+            const guards = this.getAuthGuards(route.auth);
+
+            return {
+                path: route.path,
+                component: this.getComponentById(route.layout),
+                canActivateChild: guards,
+                canActivate: guards,
+                children: [
+                    {
+                        path: '',
+                        component: this.getComponentById(route.component),
+                        data: route.data
+                    }
+                ],
+            };
+        });
+    }
+
+    private sortByOrder(
+        a: { order?: number | undefined },
+        b: { order?: number | undefined }
+    ) {
+        const left = a.order === undefined ? Number.MAX_SAFE_INTEGER : a.order;
+        const right = b.order === undefined ? Number.MAX_SAFE_INTEGER : b.order;
+        return left - right;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/app/extensions/navigation.extension.ts b/src/app/extensions/navigation.extension.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ad715b374
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/extensions/navigation.extension.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+/*!
+ * @license
+ * Alfresco Example Content Application
+ *
+ * Copyright (C) 2005 - 2018 Alfresco Software Limited
+ *
+ * This file is part of the Alfresco Example Content Application.
+ * If the software was purchased under a paid Alfresco license, the terms of
+ * the paid license agreement will prevail.  Otherwise, the software is
+ * provided under the following open source license terms:
+ *
+ * The Alfresco Example Content Application is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * The Alfresco Example Content Application is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
+ * along with Alfresco. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+export interface NavigationExtension {
+    id: string;
+    order: number;
+    icon: string;
+    title: string;
+    route: string;
+    description?: string;
+    disabled?: boolean;
+}
diff --git a/src/app/extensions/open-with.extension.ts b/src/app/extensions/open-with.extension.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..dcacfa6f8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/extensions/open-with.extension.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+/*!
+ * @license
+ * Alfresco Example Content Application
+ *
+ * Copyright (C) 2005 - 2018 Alfresco Software Limited
+ *
+ * This file is part of the Alfresco Example Content Application.
+ * If the software was purchased under a paid Alfresco license, the terms of
+ * the paid license agreement will prevail.  Otherwise, the software is
+ * provided under the following open source license terms:
+ *
+ * The Alfresco Example Content Application is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * The Alfresco Example Content Application is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
+ * along with Alfresco. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+export interface OpenWithExtension {
+    id: string;
+    order?: number;
+    icon: string;
+    title: string;
+    action: string;
+    disabled?: boolean;
+}
diff --git a/src/app/extensions/route.extension.ts b/src/app/extensions/route.extension.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8f2cb9959
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/app/extensions/route.extension.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+/*!
+ * @license
+ * Alfresco Example Content Application
+ *
+ * Copyright (C) 2005 - 2018 Alfresco Software Limited
+ *
+ * This file is part of the Alfresco Example Content Application.
+ * If the software was purchased under a paid Alfresco license, the terms of
+ * the paid license agreement will prevail.  Otherwise, the software is
+ * provided under the following open source license terms:
+ *
+ * The Alfresco Example Content Application is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * The Alfresco Example Content Application is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
+ * along with Alfresco. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+export interface RouteExtension {
+    id: string;
+    path: string;
+    component: string;
+    layout: string;
+    auth: string[];
+    data?: { [key: string]: string };
+}
diff --git a/src/app/store/actions/router.actions.ts b/src/app/store/actions/router.actions.ts
index 2e3faa760..b97825f04 100644
--- a/src/app/store/actions/router.actions.ts
+++ b/src/app/store/actions/router.actions.ts
@@ -26,10 +26,16 @@
 import { Action } from '@ngrx/store';
 import { MinimalNodeEntity } from 'alfresco-js-api';
 
+export const NAVIGATE_URL = 'NAVIGATE_URL';
 export const NAVIGATE_ROUTE = 'NAVIGATE_ROUTE';
 export const NAVIGATE_FOLDER = 'NAVIGATE_FOLDER';
 export const NAVIGATE_PARENT_FOLDER = 'NAVIGATE_PARENT_FOLDER';
 
+export class NavigateUrlAction implements Action {
+    readonly type = NAVIGATE_URL;
+    constructor(public payload: string) {}
+}
+
 export class NavigateRouteAction implements Action {
     readonly type = NAVIGATE_ROUTE;
     constructor(public payload: any[]) {}
@@ -40,7 +46,6 @@ export class NavigateToFolder implements Action {
     constructor(public payload: MinimalNodeEntity) {}
 }
 
-
 export class NavigateToParentFolder implements Action {
     readonly type = NAVIGATE_PARENT_FOLDER;
     constructor(public payload: MinimalNodeEntity) {}
diff --git a/src/app/store/effects/router.effects.ts b/src/app/store/effects/router.effects.ts
index e0f66c4b3..d90e4b2bf 100644
--- a/src/app/store/effects/router.effects.ts
+++ b/src/app/store/effects/router.effects.ts
@@ -34,12 +34,22 @@ import {
     NAVIGATE_PARENT_FOLDER,
     NAVIGATE_ROUTE
 } from '../actions';
-import { NavigateToFolder, NAVIGATE_FOLDER } from '../actions/router.actions';
+import { NavigateToFolder, NAVIGATE_FOLDER, NavigateUrlAction, NAVIGATE_URL } from '../actions/router.actions';
 
 @Injectable()
 export class RouterEffects {
     constructor(private actions$: Actions, private router: Router) {}
 
+    @Effect({ dispatch: false })
+    navigateUrl$ = this.actions$.pipe(
+        ofType<NavigateUrlAction>(NAVIGATE_URL),
+        map(action => {
+            if (action.payload) {
+                this.router.navigateByUrl(action.payload);
+            }
+        })
+    );
+
     @Effect({ dispatch: false })
     navigateRoute$ = this.actions$.pipe(
         ofType<NavigateRouteAction>(NAVIGATE_ROUTE),
diff --git a/src/app/store/effects/snackbar.effects.ts b/src/app/store/effects/snackbar.effects.ts
index 99dd419fe..4929d793f 100644
--- a/src/app/store/effects/snackbar.effects.ts
+++ b/src/app/store/effects/snackbar.effects.ts
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ export class SnackbarEffects {
         }
 
         const snackBarRef = this.snackBar.open(message, actionName, {
-            duration: action.duration,
+            duration: action.duration || 4000,
             panelClass: panelClass
         });
 
diff --git a/src/app/testing/app-testing.module.ts b/src/app/testing/app-testing.module.ts
index 0ad459064..08f47e774 100644
--- a/src/app/testing/app-testing.module.ts
+++ b/src/app/testing/app-testing.module.ts
@@ -62,6 +62,7 @@ import { NodeActionsService } from '../common/services/node-actions.service';
 import { NodePermissionService } from '../common/services/node-permission.service';
 import { BrowsingFilesService } from '../common/services/browsing-files.service';
 import { ContentApiService } from '../services/content-api.service';
+import { ExtensionService } from '../extensions/extension.service';
 
 @NgModule({
     imports: [
@@ -76,7 +77,11 @@ import { ContentApiService } from '../services/content-api.service';
         EffectsModule.forRoot([])
     ],
     declarations: [TranslatePipeMock],
-    exports: [TranslatePipeMock, RouterTestingModule, MaterialModule],
+    exports: [
+        TranslatePipeMock,
+        RouterTestingModule,
+        MaterialModule,
+    ],
     providers: [
         { provide: AlfrescoApiService, useClass: AlfrescoApiMock },
         { provide: TranslationService, useClass: TranslationMock },
@@ -112,7 +117,8 @@ import { ContentApiService } from '../services/content-api.service';
         NodeActionsService,
         NodePermissionService,
         BrowsingFilesService,
-        ContentApiService
+        ContentApiService,
+        ExtensionService
     ]
 })
 export class AppTestingModule {}