Setting up Plain with Ferndesk

This guide shows you how to configure Ferndesk to open Plain when visitors click the contact button in your widget.

Step 1: Install and hide the Plain launcher

First, make sure Plain is installed on your site. You'll need to disable the default Plain launcher so it doesn't show alongside your Ferndesk widget.

Add hideLauncher: true to your Plain initialization:

Plain.init({
  appId: 'YOUR_CHAT_APP_ID',
  hideLauncher: true,
});

This hides the Plain launcher by default. Ferndesk will show it when visitors click your contact button.

Step 2: Open widget settings

In your Ferndesk dashboard, go to the Widget page and click the Customize button on your widget.

Step 3: Navigate to Contact settings

In the sidebar, click Contact to open the contact configuration options.

Step 4: Select the Integration tab

Click the Integration tab to see available chat platforms.

Step 5: Choose Plain

Click the Plain card to select it as your integration platform.

Step 6: Test the integration

Visit your site where the Ferndesk widget and Plain are installed, then click the contact button in the widget. The Plain chat should open, letting visitors start a conversation with your team.