> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.activepieces.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Publish Custom Pieces

You can use the CLI to publish custom pieces to the platform. This process packages the pieces and uploads them to the specified API endpoint.

### How It Works

The CLI scans the `packages/pieces/` directory for the specified piece. It checks the **name** and **version** in the `package.json` file. If the piece is not already published, it builds, packages, and uploads it to the platform using the API.

### Usage

To publish a piece, follow these steps:

1. Ensure you have an API Key. Generate it from the Admin Interface by navigating to Settings.
2. Install the CLI by cloning the repository.
3. Run the following command:

```bash theme={null}
npm run publish-piece-to-api
```

4. You will be asked three questions to publish your piece:

* `Piece Folder Name`: This is the name associated with the folder where the action resides. It helps organize and categorize actions within the piece.

* `API URL`: This is the URL of the API endpoint where the piece will be published (ex: [https://cloud.activepieces.com/api](https://cloud.activepieces.com/api)).

* `API Key Source`: This is the source of the API key. It can be either `Env Variable (AP_API_KEY)` or `Manually`.

In case you choose `Env Variable (AP_API_KEY)`, the CLI will use the API key from the `.env` file in the `packages/server/api` directory.

In case you choose `Manually`, you will be asked to enter the API key.

Examples:

```bash theme={null}
npm run publish-piece-to-api

? Enter the piece folder name : google-drive
? Enter the API URL : https://cloud.activepieces.com/api
? Enter the API Key Source : Env Variable (AP_API_KEY)

```

```bash theme={null}
npm run publish-piece-to-api

? Enter the piece folder name : google-drive
? Enter the API URL : https://cloud.activepieces.com/api
? Enter the API Key Source : Manually
? Enter the API Key : ap_1234567890abcdef1234567890abcdef

```