---
title: plugInKeys()
framework: quartz
role: symbol
role_heading: Type Method
path: quartz/qcplugin/pluginkeys()
---

# plugInKeys()

Returns the keys for the internal settings of a custom patch.

## Declaration

```swift
class func plugInKeys() -> [Any]!
```

## Return Value

Return Value An array of keys used for key-value coding (KVC) of the internal settings.

## Discussion

Discussion You must override this method if your patch provides a Settings pane.  This keys are used for automatic serialization of the internal settings and are also used by the QCPlugInViewController instance for the Settings pane. The implementation is straightforward; the keys are strings that represent the instance variables used for the Settings pane. For example, the plugInKeys method for these instance variables: @property(ivar, byref) NSColor * systemColor; @property(ivar, byref) NSConfiguration * systemConfiguration; are: + (NSArray*) plugInKeys {     return [NSArray arrayWithObjects: @"systemColor",                                       @"systemConfiguration",                                       nil]; }

## See Also

### Defining Internal Settings

- [createViewController()](quartz/qcplugin/createviewcontroller().md)