[TEST] [Bug]: Strapi v5 Plugin Controller Override Issue

[pwizla]

Link to the documentation page or resource

https://docs.strapi.io/dev-docs/admin-panel-customization/extension

Describe the bug

Strapi v5 Plugin Controller Override Issue

I'm using Strapi v5 and trying to override the plugin::upload.file controller (modifying the /admin/plugins/upload API response). However, overrides via the extensions system or src/index.ts do not work, and no logs appear in the terminal.

Previously, in Strapi v4, overriding via src/extensions/upload/strapi-server.ts or manually modifying the controller in src/index.ts worked. But in Strapi v5, these methods seem ineffective.

Is there an updated approach or alternative solution for this in Strapi v5? 🚀

Additional context

No response

Suggested improvements or fixes

No response

Related issue(s)/PR(s)

No response

[github-actions]

🤖 I've analyzed your question and here's what I found:

Hi there! Thank you so much for taking the time to report this issue and for your detailed description—your effort helps make Strapi better for everyone. I understand how frustrating it can be when a previously working customization no longer functions as expected after an upgrade, and I appreciate your patience as you work through these changes in Strapi v5.

Addressing Plugin Controller Overrides in Strapi v5

In Strapi v5, the plugin extension system has indeed changed compared to v4, and some previous override methods may not work as before. Here’s what’s new and what you can try:

1. Extending Plugin Controllers in Strapi v5

• Extensions Folder:
  The recommended way to extend a plugin’s server interface (including controllers) is still via the ./src/extensions/[plugin-name]/strapi-server.js|ts file. You can override or extend controllers, services, routes, and more in this file.
  Example:

  // ./src/extensions/upload/strapi-server.js
  module.exports = (plugin) => {
    plugin.controllers.file.customAction = (ctx) => {
      ctx.body = { message: 'Custom response!' };
    };
    return plugin;
  };

  However, please note that the documentation states any plugin update could break these extensions, and not all plugin internals are guaranteed to be extendable in the same way as in v4. Also, the loading order is: plugins load, then extensions, then project-level register/bootstrap functions.
  See: Extending a plugin's interface

• Project Index File:
  You can also programmatically extend plugin interfaces in your ./src/index.js|ts using the register or bootstrap functions, but this is generally for runtime modifications and not always suitable for deep controller overrides.

2. Known Limitations and Migration Notes

• The Strapi v5 migration guide highlights that some extension points and override patterns from v4 may not work identically in v5, especially for core/admin plugins like Upload.
• If your override is not being picked up and you see no logs, it may be due to changes in the plugin loading order or stricter encapsulation in v5.
• The documentation does not currently provide a new, explicit method for overriding admin plugin controllers like plugin::upload.file for the /admin/plugins/upload API specifically.
  See: Plugins extension

3. What You Can Try

• Double-check your extension file path and naming (./src/extensions/upload/strapi-server.js|ts).
• Ensure you are exporting a function that receives and returns the plugin object.
• Try adding a simple log statement in your extension to confirm it’s being loaded.
• If you need to override admin panel behavior, consider that the admin and server are now more decoupled in v5, and some endpoints may not be as easily overridden as before.

4. If This Is a Bug or Limitation

If you’ve confirmed your extension is not being loaded or the override is not working as documented, this may be a product bug or a limitation in the current v5 extension system. In that case, I recommend flagging this for the core team’s attention.
Tagging @pwizla for review and possible transfer to the main strapi/strapi repository.

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Next Steps & Resources:

• For further help, you can join the Strapi Discord community or check the plugin development documentation.
• If you’d like to suggest improvements or request a feature, please visit Strapi Feedback.

Thank you again for your feedback and for being part of the Strapi community! If you have more details or a minimal reproduction, please share it to help us investigate further.

📚 Relevant documentation:

• Controllers - Adding a new controller
• Controllers - Usage
• Documentation plugin - registerOverride()
• How to pass data from server to admin panel with a Strapi plugin
• Plugins configuration
• Plugins extension
• Plugins extension - Extending a plugin's interface
• Plugins upgrade summary
• Server API for plugins
• Server API for plugins - Controllers
• Server API for plugins - Usage
• Strapi 5 uses koa-body v6
• The GraphQL API has been updated
• Upload a file at entry creation is no longer supported

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ℹ️ This response was generated automatically. If this doesn't fully answer your question or if you need further assistance, please mention @pwizla in a comment and a human maintainer will help you.

You can also try our interactive AI chat for more detailed assistance.

💡 For feature requests or product feedback, visit feedback.strapi.io.

[pwizla]

@pwizla I need more help