diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 4b9ed27..9bf63d9 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -40,12 +40,6 @@ add_executable(f00bar
   decorations/underline.c decorations/underline.h
 
   particles/dynlist.c particles/dynlist.h
-  particles/empty.c particles/empty.h
-  particles/list.c particles/list.h
-  particles/map.c particles/map.h
-  particles/progress-bar.c particles/progress-bar.h
-  particles/ramp.c particles/ramp.h
-  particles/string.c particles/string.h
   )
 
 # TODO: directory global
@@ -78,15 +72,10 @@ target_link_libraries(f00bar
   ${YAML_LIBRARIES}
   )
 
-add_library(module-sdk INTERFACE)
-target_compile_definitions(module-sdk INTERFACE _GNU_SOURCE)
-target_compile_options(module-sdk INTERFACE ${CAIRO_CFLAGS_OTHER})
-target_include_directories(module-sdk INTERFACE ${CAIRO_INCLUDE_DIRS})
-target_link_libraries(module-sdk INTERFACE ${CMAKE_THREAD_LIBS_INIT})
-
 set_property(TARGET f00bar PROPERTY INSTALL_RPATH \$ORIGIN/../lib/f00bar)
-set_property(TARGET f00bar PROPERTY BUILD_RPATH \$ORIGIN/modules)
+set_property(TARGET f00bar PROPERTY BUILD_RPATH "\$ORIGIN/modules;\$ORIGIN/particles")
 
 install(TARGETS f00bar DESTINATION bin)
 
+add_subdirectory(particles)
 add_subdirectory(modules)
diff --git a/config-verify.c b/config-verify.c
index 6597b39..f592520 100644
--- a/config-verify.c
+++ b/config-verify.c
@@ -158,8 +158,6 @@ conf_verify_font(keychain_t *chain, const struct yml_node *node)
     return conf_verify_dict(chain, node, attrs, sizeof(attrs) / sizeof(attrs[0]));
 }
 
-static bool verify_decoration(keychain_t *chain, const struct yml_node *node);
-
 static bool
 verify_decoration_stack(keychain_t *chain, const struct yml_node *node)
 {
@@ -172,15 +170,15 @@ verify_decoration_stack(keychain_t *chain, const struct yml_node *node)
          it.node != NULL;
          yml_list_next(&it))
     {
-        if (!verify_decoration(chain, it.node))
+        if (!conf_verify_decoration(chain, it.node))
             return false;
     }
 
     return true;
 }
 
-static bool
-verify_decoration(keychain_t *chain, const struct yml_node *node)
+bool
+conf_verify_decoration(keychain_t *chain, const struct yml_node *node)
 {
     assert(yml_is_dict(node));
 
@@ -243,8 +241,8 @@ verify_decoration(keychain_t *chain, const struct yml_node *node)
     return false;
 }
 
-static bool
-verify_list_items(keychain_t *chain, const struct yml_node *node)
+bool
+conf_verify_particle_list_items(keychain_t *chain, const struct yml_node *node)
 {
     assert(yml_is_list(node));
 
@@ -259,35 +257,6 @@ verify_list_items(keychain_t *chain, const struct yml_node *node)
     return true;
 }
 
-static bool
-verify_map_values(keychain_t *chain, const struct yml_node *node)
-{
-    if (!yml_is_dict(node)) {
-        LOG_ERR(
-            "%s: must be a dictionary of workspace-name: particle mappings",
-            conf_err_prefix(chain, node));
-        return false;
-    }
-
-    for (struct yml_dict_iter it = yml_dict_iter(node);
-         it.key != NULL;
-         yml_dict_next(&it))
-    {
-        const char *key = yml_value_as_string(it.key);
-        if (key == NULL) {
-            LOG_ERR("%s: key must be a string", conf_err_prefix(chain, it.key));
-            return false;
-        }
-
-        if (!conf_verify_particle(chain_push(chain, key), it.value))
-            return false;
-
-        chain_pop(chain);
-    }
-
-    return true;
-}
-
 static bool
 conf_verify_particle_dictionary(keychain_t *chain, const struct yml_node *node)
 {
@@ -309,90 +278,20 @@ conf_verify_particle_dictionary(keychain_t *chain, const struct yml_node *node)
         return false;
     }
 
-#define COMMON_ATTRS                          \
-    {"margin", false, &conf_verify_int},           \
-    {"left-margin", false, &conf_verify_int},      \
-    {"right-margin", false, &conf_verify_int},     \
-    {"on-click", false, &conf_verify_string},
-
-    static const struct attr_info empty[] = {
-        COMMON_ATTRS
-    };
-
-    static const struct attr_info list[] = {
-        {"items", true, &verify_list_items},
-        {"spacing", false, &conf_verify_int},
-        {"left-spacing", false, &conf_verify_int},
-        {"right-spacing", false, &conf_verify_int},
-        COMMON_ATTRS
-    };
-
-    static const struct attr_info map[] = {
-        {"tag", true, &conf_verify_string},
-        {"values", true, &verify_map_values},
-        {"default", false, &conf_verify_particle},
-        COMMON_ATTRS
-    };
-
-    static const struct attr_info progress_bar[] = {
-        {"tag", true, &conf_verify_string},
-        {"length", true, &conf_verify_int},
-        /* TODO: make these optional? Default to empty */
-        {"start", true, &conf_verify_particle},
-        {"end", true, &conf_verify_particle},
-        {"fill", true, &conf_verify_particle},
-        {"empty", true, &conf_verify_particle},
-        {"indicator", true, &conf_verify_particle},
-        COMMON_ATTRS
-    };
-
-    static const struct attr_info ramp[] = {
-        {"tag", true, &conf_verify_string},
-        {"items", true, &verify_list_items},
-        COMMON_ATTRS
-    };
-
-    static const struct attr_info string[] = {
-        {"text", true, &conf_verify_string},
-        {"max", false, &conf_verify_int},
-        {"font", false, &conf_verify_font},
-        {"foreground", false, &conf_verify_color},
-        {"deco", false, &verify_decoration},
-        COMMON_ATTRS
-    };
-
-#undef COMMON_ATTRS
-
-    static const struct {
-        const char *name;
-        const struct attr_info *attrs;
-        size_t count;
-    } particles[] = {
-        {"empty", empty, sizeof(empty) / sizeof(empty[0])},
-        {"list", list, sizeof(list) / sizeof(list[0])},
-        {"map", map, sizeof(map) / sizeof(map[0])},
-        {"progress-bar", progress_bar, sizeof(progress_bar) / sizeof(progress_bar[0])},
-        {"ramp", ramp, sizeof(ramp) / sizeof(ramp[0])},
-        {"string", string, sizeof(string) / sizeof(string[0])},
-    };
-
-    for (size_t i = 0; i < sizeof(particles) / sizeof(particles[0]); i++) {
-        if (strcmp(particles[i].name, particle_name) != 0)
-            continue;
-
-        if (!conf_verify_dict(chain_push(chain, particle_name), values,
-                         particles[i].attrs, particles[i].count))
-        {
-            return false;
-        }
-
-        chain_pop(chain);
-        return true;
+    const struct particle_info *info = plugin_load_particle(particle_name);
+    if (info == NULL) {
+        LOG_ERR(
+            "%s: invalid particle name: %s",
+            conf_err_prefix(chain, particle), particle_name);
+        return false;
     }
 
-    LOG_ERR(
-        "%s: invalid particle name: %s", conf_err_prefix(chain, particle), particle_name);
-    return false;
+    if (!conf_verify_dict(chain_push(chain, particle_name), values,
+                          info->attrs, info->attr_count))
+        return false;
+
+    chain_pop(chain);
+    return true;
 }
 
 bool
@@ -401,7 +300,7 @@ conf_verify_particle(keychain_t *chain, const struct yml_node *node)
     if (yml_is_dict(node))
         return conf_verify_particle_dictionary(chain, node);
     else if (yml_is_list(node))
-        return verify_list_items(chain, node);
+        return conf_verify_particle_list_items(chain, node);
     else {
         LOG_ERR("%s: particle must be either a dictionary or a list",
                 conf_err_prefix(chain, node));
diff --git a/config-verify.h b/config-verify.h
index a6f4660..5bdc37c 100644
--- a/config-verify.h
+++ b/config-verify.h
@@ -42,3 +42,6 @@ bool conf_verify_color(keychain_t *chain, const struct yml_node *node);
 bool conf_verify_font(keychain_t *chain, const struct yml_node *node);
 
 bool conf_verify_particle(keychain_t *chain, const struct yml_node *node);
+bool conf_verify_particle_list_items(keychain_t *chain, const struct yml_node *node);
+
+bool conf_verify_decoration(keychain_t *chain, const struct yml_node *node);
diff --git a/config.c b/config.c
index e18660c..1ccc026 100644
--- a/config.c
+++ b/config.c
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@
 #include <string.h>
 #include <assert.h>
 
+#include <dlfcn.h>
+
 #include "color.h"
 
 #include "decoration.h"
@@ -12,14 +14,6 @@
 #include "decorations/stack.h"
 #include "decorations/underline.h"
 
-#include "particle.h"
-#include "particles/empty.h"
-#include "particles/list.h"
-#include "particles/map.h"
-#include "particles/progress-bar.h"
-#include "particles/ramp.h"
-#include "particles/string.h"
-
 #include "module.h"
 #include "config-verify.h"
 #include "plugin.h"
@@ -47,10 +41,14 @@ hex_byte(const char hex[2])
     return upper << 4 | lower;
 }
 
-static struct rgba
-color_from_hexstr(const char *hex)
+struct rgba
+conf_to_color(const struct yml_node *node)
 {
+    const char *hex = yml_value_as_string(node);
+
+    assert(hex != NULL);
     assert(strlen(hex) == 8);
+
     uint8_t red = hex_byte(&hex[0]);
     uint8_t green = hex_byte(&hex[2]);
     uint8_t blue = hex_byte(&hex[4]);
@@ -71,8 +69,8 @@ color_from_hexstr(const char *hex)
     return rgba;
 }
 
-static struct font *
-font_from_config(const struct yml_node *node)
+struct font *
+conf_to_font(const struct yml_node *node)
 {
     const struct yml_node *family = yml_get_value(node, "family");
     return font_new(family != NULL ? yml_value_as_string(family) : "monospace");
@@ -82,7 +80,7 @@ static struct deco *
 deco_background_from_config(const struct yml_node *node)
 {
     const struct yml_node *color = yml_get_value(node, "color");
-    return deco_background(color_from_hexstr(yml_value_as_string(color)));
+    return deco_background(conf_to_color(color));
 }
 
 static struct deco *
@@ -90,10 +88,7 @@ deco_underline_from_config(const struct yml_node *node)
 {
     const struct yml_node *size = yml_get_value(node, "size");
     const struct yml_node *color = yml_get_value(node, "color");
-
-    return deco_underline(
-        yml_value_as_int(size),
-        color_from_hexstr(yml_value_as_string(color)));
+    return deco_underline(yml_value_as_int(size), conf_to_color(color));
 }
 
 static struct deco *deco_from_config(const struct yml_node *node);
@@ -137,150 +132,6 @@ deco_from_config(const struct yml_node *node)
     return NULL;
 }
 
-static struct particle *
-particle_empty_from_config(const struct yml_node *node,
-                           const struct font *parent_font,
-                           int left_margin, int right_margin,
-                           const char *on_click_template)
-{
-    return particle_empty_new(left_margin, right_margin, on_click_template);
-}
-
-static struct particle *
-particle_string_from_config(const struct yml_node *node,
-                            const struct font *parent_font,
-                            int left_margin, int right_margin,
-                            const char *on_click_template)
-{
-    const struct yml_node *text = yml_get_value(node, "text");
-    const struct yml_node *max = yml_get_value(node, "max");
-    const struct yml_node *font = yml_get_value(node, "font");
-    const struct yml_node *foreground = yml_get_value(node, "foreground");
-
-    struct rgba fg_color = foreground != NULL
-        ? color_from_hexstr(yml_value_as_string(foreground)) :
-        (struct rgba){1.0, 1.0, 1.0, 1.0};
-
-    return particle_string_new(
-        yml_value_as_string(text),
-        max != NULL ? yml_value_as_int(max) : 0,
-        font != NULL ? font_from_config(font) : font_clone(parent_font),
-        fg_color, left_margin, right_margin, on_click_template);
-}
-
-static struct particle *
-particle_list_from_config(const struct yml_node *node,
-                          const struct font *parent_font,
-                          int left_margin, int right_margin,
-                          const char *on_click_template)
-{
-    const struct yml_node *items = yml_get_value(node, "items");
-
-    const struct yml_node *spacing = yml_get_value(node, "spacing");
-    const struct yml_node *_left_spacing = yml_get_value(node, "left-spacing");
-    const struct yml_node *_right_spacing = yml_get_value(node, "right-spacing");
-
-    int left_spacing = spacing != NULL ? yml_value_as_int(spacing) :
-        _left_spacing != NULL ? yml_value_as_int(_left_spacing) : 0;
-    int right_spacing = spacing != NULL ? yml_value_as_int(spacing) :
-        _right_spacing != NULL ? yml_value_as_int(_right_spacing) : 2;
-
-    size_t count = yml_list_length(items);
-    struct particle *parts[count];
-
-    size_t idx = 0;
-    for (struct yml_list_iter it = yml_list_iter(items);
-         it.node != NULL;
-         yml_list_next(&it), idx++)
-    {
-        parts[idx] = conf_to_particle(it.node, parent_font);
-    }
-
-    return particle_list_new(
-        parts, count, left_spacing, right_spacing, left_margin, right_margin,
-        on_click_template);
-}
-
-static struct particle *
-particle_map_from_config(const struct yml_node *node,
-                         const struct font *parent_font,
-                         int left_margin, int right_margin,
-                         const char *on_click_template)
-{
-    const struct yml_node *tag = yml_get_value(node, "tag");
-    const struct yml_node *values = yml_get_value(node, "values");
-    const struct yml_node *def = yml_get_value(node, "default");
-
-    struct particle_map particle_map[yml_dict_length(values)];
-
-    size_t idx = 0;
-    for (struct yml_dict_iter it = yml_dict_iter(values);
-         it.key != NULL;
-         yml_dict_next(&it), idx++)
-    {
-        particle_map[idx].tag_value = yml_value_as_string(it.key);
-        particle_map[idx].particle = conf_to_particle(it.value, parent_font);
-    }
-
-    struct particle *default_particle = def != NULL
-        ? conf_to_particle(def, parent_font)
-        : NULL;
-
-    return particle_map_new(
-        yml_value_as_string(tag), particle_map, yml_dict_length(values),
-        default_particle, left_margin, right_margin, on_click_template);
-}
-
-static struct particle *
-particle_ramp_from_config(const struct yml_node *node,
-                          const struct font *parent_font,
-                          int left_margin, int right_margin,
-                          const char *on_click_template)
-{
-    const struct yml_node *tag = yml_get_value(node, "tag");
-    const struct yml_node *items = yml_get_value(node, "items");
-
-    size_t count = yml_list_length(items);
-    struct particle *parts[count];
-
-    size_t idx = 0;
-    for (struct yml_list_iter it = yml_list_iter(items);
-         it.node != NULL;
-         yml_list_next(&it), idx++)
-    {
-        parts[idx] = conf_to_particle(it.node, parent_font);
-    }
-
-    return particle_ramp_new(
-        yml_value_as_string(tag), parts, count, left_margin, right_margin,
-        on_click_template);
-}
-
-static struct particle *
-particle_progress_bar_from_config(const struct yml_node *node,
-                                  const struct font *parent_font,
-                                  int left_margin, int right_margin,
-                                  const char *on_click_template)
-{
-    const struct yml_node *tag = yml_get_value(node, "tag");
-    const struct yml_node *length = yml_get_value(node, "length");
-    const struct yml_node *start = yml_get_value(node, "start");
-    const struct yml_node *end = yml_get_value(node, "end");
-    const struct yml_node *fill = yml_get_value(node, "fill");
-    const struct yml_node *empty = yml_get_value(node, "empty");
-    const struct yml_node *indicator = yml_get_value(node, "indicator");
-
-    return particle_progress_bar_new(
-        yml_value_as_string(tag),
-        yml_value_as_int(length),
-        conf_to_particle(start, parent_font),
-        conf_to_particle(end, parent_font),
-        conf_to_particle(fill, parent_font),
-        conf_to_particle(empty, parent_font),
-        conf_to_particle(indicator, parent_font),
-        left_margin, right_margin, on_click_template);
-}
-
 static struct particle *
 particle_simple_list_from_config(const struct yml_node *node,
                                  const struct font *parent_font)
@@ -296,6 +147,18 @@ particle_simple_list_from_config(const struct yml_node *node,
         parts[idx] = conf_to_particle(it.node, parent_font);
     }
 
+    /* Lazy-loaded function pointer to particle_list_new() */
+    static struct particle *(*particle_list_new)(
+        struct particle *particles[], size_t count,
+        int left_spacing, int right_spacing, int left_margin, int right_margin,
+        const char *on_click_template) = NULL;
+
+    if (particle_list_new == NULL) {
+        const struct plugin *plug = plugin_load("list", PLUGIN_PARTICLE);
+        particle_list_new = dlsym(plug->lib, "particle_list_new");
+        assert(particle_list_new != NULL);
+    }
+
     return particle_list_new(parts, count, 0, 2, 0, 0, NULL);
 }
 
@@ -321,27 +184,11 @@ conf_to_particle(const struct yml_node *node, const struct font *parent_font)
     const char *on_click_template
         = on_click != NULL ? yml_value_as_string(on_click) : NULL;
 
-    struct particle *ret = NULL;
-    if (strcmp(type, "empty") == 0)
-        ret = particle_empty_from_config(
-            pair.value, parent_font, left, right, on_click_template);
-    else if (strcmp(type, "string") == 0)
-        ret = particle_string_from_config(
-            pair.value, parent_font, left, right, on_click_template);
-    else if (strcmp(type, "list") == 0)
-        ret = particle_list_from_config(
-            pair.value, parent_font, left, right, on_click_template);
-    else if (strcmp(type, "map") == 0)
-        ret = particle_map_from_config(
-            pair.value, parent_font, left, right, on_click_template);
-    else if (strcmp(type, "ramp") == 0)
-        ret = particle_ramp_from_config(
-            pair.value, parent_font, left, right, on_click_template);
-    else if (strcmp(type, "progress-bar") == 0)
-        ret = particle_progress_bar_from_config(
-            pair.value, parent_font, left, right, on_click_template);
-    else
-        assert(false);
+    const struct particle_info *info = plugin_load_particle(type);
+    assert(info != NULL);
+
+    struct particle *ret = info->from_conf(
+        pair.value, parent_font, left, right, on_click_template);
 
     const struct yml_node *deco_node = yml_get_value(pair.value, "deco");
 
@@ -371,7 +218,7 @@ conf_to_bar(const struct yml_node *bar)
         ? BAR_TOP : BAR_BOTTOM;
 
     const struct yml_node *background = yml_get_value(bar, "background");
-    conf.background = color_from_hexstr(yml_value_as_string(background));
+    conf.background = conf_to_color(background);
 
     /*
      * Optional attributes
@@ -410,7 +257,7 @@ conf_to_bar(const struct yml_node *bar)
             conf.border.width = yml_value_as_int(width);
 
         if (color != NULL)
-            conf.border.color = color_from_hexstr(yml_value_as_string(color));
+            conf.border.color = conf_to_color(color);
     }
 
     /* Create a default font */
@@ -419,7 +266,7 @@ conf_to_bar(const struct yml_node *bar)
     const struct yml_node *font_node = yml_get_value(bar, "font");
     if (font_node != NULL) {
         font_destroy(font);
-        font = font_from_config(font_node);
+        font = conf_to_font(font_node);
     }
 
     const struct yml_node *left = yml_get_value(bar, "left");
diff --git a/config.h b/config.h
index c659e0c..0bdbc09 100644
--- a/config.h
+++ b/config.h
@@ -12,5 +12,8 @@ struct bar *conf_to_bar(const struct yml_node *bar);
  * Utility functions, for e.g. modules
  */
 
+struct rgba conf_to_color(const struct yml_node *node);
+struct font *conf_to_font(const struct yml_node *node);
+
 struct particle * conf_to_particle(
     const struct yml_node *node, const struct font *parent_font);
diff --git a/modules/CMakeLists.txt b/modules/CMakeLists.txt
index 9ea7116..189459e 100644
--- a/modules/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/modules/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -1,5 +1,13 @@
 cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.13)
 
+add_library(module-sdk INTERFACE)
+target_compile_definitions(module-sdk INTERFACE _GNU_SOURCE)
+target_compile_options(module-sdk INTERFACE ${CAIRO_CFLAGS_OTHER})
+target_include_directories(module-sdk INTERFACE ${CAIRO_INCLUDE_DIRS})
+target_link_libraries(module-sdk INTERFACE ${CMAKE_THREAD_LIBS_INIT})
+
+set(CMAKE_SHARED_MODULE_PREFIX module_)
+
 pkg_check_modules(ALSA REQUIRED alsa)
 add_library(alsa MODULE alsa.c)
 target_compile_options(alsa PRIVATE ${ALSA_CFLAGS_OTHER})
diff --git a/modules/alsa.c b/modules/alsa.c
index 968f777..c8f1562 100644
--- a/modules/alsa.c
+++ b/modules/alsa.c
@@ -280,7 +280,7 @@ from_conf(const struct yml_node *node, const struct font *parent_font)
         conf_to_particle(content, parent_font));
 }
 
-const struct module_info module_info = {
+const struct module_info plugin_info = {
     .from_conf = &from_conf,
     .attr_count = 4,
     .attrs = {
diff --git a/modules/backlight.c b/modules/backlight.c
index 8c06851..5848640 100644
--- a/modules/backlight.c
+++ b/modules/backlight.c
@@ -224,7 +224,7 @@ from_conf(const struct yml_node *node, const struct font *parent_font)
         yml_value_as_string(name), conf_to_particle(c, parent_font));
 }
 
-const struct module_info module_info = {
+const struct module_info plugin_info = {
     .from_conf = &from_conf,
     .attr_count = 3,
     .attrs = {
diff --git a/modules/battery.c b/modules/battery.c
index 3c42a16..b4812f0 100644
--- a/modules/battery.c
+++ b/modules/battery.c
@@ -356,7 +356,7 @@ from_conf(const struct yml_node *node, const struct font *parent_font)
         poll_interval != NULL ? yml_value_as_int(poll_interval) : 60);
 }
 
-const struct module_info module_info = {
+const struct module_info plugin_info = {
     .from_conf = &from_conf,
     .attr_count = 4,
     .attrs = {
diff --git a/modules/clock.c b/modules/clock.c
index 6a9841e..8834571 100644
--- a/modules/clock.c
+++ b/modules/clock.c
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ from_conf(const struct yml_node *node, const struct font *parent_font)
         time_format != NULL ? yml_value_as_string(time_format) : "%H:%M");
 }
 
-const struct module_info module_info = {
+const struct module_info plugin_info = {
     .from_conf = &from_conf,
     .attr_count = 4,
     .attrs = {
diff --git a/modules/i3.c b/modules/i3.c
index 9b6bb2d..924fedb 100644
--- a/modules/i3.c
+++ b/modules/i3.c
@@ -701,7 +701,7 @@ verify_content(keychain_t *chain, const struct yml_node *node)
     return true;
 }
 
-const struct module_info module_info = {
+const struct module_info plugin_info = {
     .from_conf = &from_conf,
     .attr_count = 5,
     .attrs = {
diff --git a/modules/label.c b/modules/label.c
index ab7b2d6..a0553ac 100644
--- a/modules/label.c
+++ b/modules/label.c
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ from_conf(const struct yml_node *node, const struct font *parent_font)
     return label_new(conf_to_particle(c, parent_font));
 }
 
-const struct module_info module_info = {
+const struct module_info plugin_info = {
     .from_conf = &from_conf,
     .attr_count = 2,
     .attrs = {
diff --git a/modules/mpd.c b/modules/mpd.c
index c833e5d..7d72be1 100644
--- a/modules/mpd.c
+++ b/modules/mpd.c
@@ -491,7 +491,7 @@ from_conf(const struct yml_node *node, const struct font *parent_font)
         conf_to_particle(c, parent_font));
 }
 
-const struct module_info module_info = {
+const struct module_info plugin_info = {
     .from_conf = &from_conf,
     .attr_count = 4,
     .attrs = {
diff --git a/modules/network.c b/modules/network.c
index 598a3eb..c918291 100644
--- a/modules/network.c
+++ b/modules/network.c
@@ -543,7 +543,7 @@ from_conf(const struct yml_node *node, const struct font *parent_font)
         yml_value_as_string(name), conf_to_particle(content, parent_font));
 }
 
-const struct module_info module_info = {
+const struct module_info plugin_info = {
     .from_conf = &from_conf,
     .attr_count = 3,
     .attrs = {
diff --git a/modules/removables.c b/modules/removables.c
index caa6100..a76e001 100644
--- a/modules/removables.c
+++ b/modules/removables.c
@@ -577,7 +577,7 @@ from_conf(const struct yml_node *node, const struct font *parent_font)
         conf_to_particle(content, parent_font), left, right);
 }
 
-const struct module_info module_info = {
+const struct module_info plugin_info = {
     .from_conf = &from_conf,
     .attr_count = 5,
     .attrs = {
diff --git a/modules/xkb.c b/modules/xkb.c
index 3b1d2d7..2e20aa0 100644
--- a/modules/xkb.c
+++ b/modules/xkb.c
@@ -459,7 +459,7 @@ from_conf(const struct yml_node *node, const struct font *parent_font)
     return xkb_new(conf_to_particle(c, parent_font));
 }
 
-const struct module_info module_info = {
+const struct module_info plugin_info = {
     .from_conf = &from_conf,
     .attr_count = 2,
     .attrs = {
diff --git a/modules/xwindow.c b/modules/xwindow.c
index 167d1fa..7d95023 100644
--- a/modules/xwindow.c
+++ b/modules/xwindow.c
@@ -321,7 +321,7 @@ from_conf(const struct yml_node *node, const struct font *parent_font)
     return xwindow_new(conf_to_particle(c, parent_font));
 }
 
-const struct module_info module_info = {
+const struct module_info plugin_info = {
     .from_conf = &from_conf,
     .attr_count = 2,
     .attrs = {
diff --git a/particle.h b/particle.h
index c12d7fe..a3fcf8c 100644
--- a/particle.h
+++ b/particle.h
@@ -3,13 +3,36 @@
 #include <cairo.h>
 
 #include "color.h"
+#include "config-verify.h"
 #include "decoration.h"
 #include "font.h"
 #include "tag.h"
+#include "yml.h"
 
 struct bar;
+struct particle;
 struct exposable;
 
+struct particle_info {
+    struct particle *(*from_conf)(const struct yml_node *node,
+                                  const struct font *parent_font,
+                                  int left_margin, int right_margin,
+                                  const char *on_click_template);
+
+    size_t attr_count;  /* TODO: reomve, NULL-terminate attr list instead */
+    const struct attr_info attrs[];
+
+#define PARTICLE_COMMON_ATTRS_COUNT 5
+#define PARTICLE_COMMON_ATTRS                      \
+    {"margin", false, &conf_verify_int},           \
+    {"left-margin", false, &conf_verify_int},      \
+    {"right-margin", false, &conf_verify_int},     \
+    {"on-click", false, &conf_verify_string},      \
+    {"deco", false, &conf_verify_decoration},      \
+    {NULL, false, NULL}
+
+};
+
 struct particle {
     void *private;
 
diff --git a/particles/CMakeLists.txt b/particles/CMakeLists.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1c41e95
--- /dev/null
+++ b/particles/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.13)
+
+add_library(particle-sdk INTERFACE)
+target_compile_definitions(particle-sdk INTERFACE _GNU_SOURCE)
+target_compile_options(particle-sdk INTERFACE ${CAIRO_CFLAGS_OTHER})
+target_include_directories(particle-sdk INTERFACE ${CAIRO_INCLUDE_DIRS})
+
+set(CMAKE_SHARED_MODULE_PREFIX particle_)
+
+add_library(empty MODULE empty.c empty.h)
+target_link_libraries(empty particle-sdk)
+
+add_library(list MODULE list.c list.h)
+target_link_libraries(list particle-sdk)
+
+add_library(map MODULE map.c map.h)
+target_link_libraries(map particle-sdk)
+
+add_library(progress-bar MODULE progress-bar.c progress-bar.h)
+target_link_libraries(progress-bar particle-sdk)
+
+add_library(ramp MODULE ramp.c ramp.h)
+target_link_libraries(ramp particle-sdk)
+
+add_library(string MODULE string.c string.h)
+target_link_libraries(string particle-sdk)
+
+install(
+  TARGETS
+  empty
+  list
+  map
+  progress-bar
+  ramp
+  string
+
+  DESTINATION lib/f00bar)
diff --git a/particles/empty.c b/particles/empty.c
index ead1dfc..184ce78 100644
--- a/particles/empty.c
+++ b/particles/empty.c
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 
 #include <stdlib.h>
 
+#include "../config.h"
+
 static int
 begin_expose(struct exposable *exposable)
 {
@@ -29,9 +31,8 @@ instantiate(const struct particle *particle, const struct tag_set *tags)
     return exposable;
 }
 
-struct particle *
-particle_empty_new(int left_margin, int right_margin,
-                   const char *on_click_template)
+static struct particle *
+empty_new(int left_margin, int right_margin, const char *on_click_template)
 {
     struct particle *particle = particle_common_new(
         left_margin, right_margin, on_click_template);
@@ -39,3 +40,18 @@ particle_empty_new(int left_margin, int right_margin,
     particle->instantiate = &instantiate;
     return particle;
 }
+
+static struct particle *
+from_conf(const struct yml_node *node, const struct font *parent_font,
+          int left_margin, int right_margin, const char *on_click_template)
+{
+    return empty_new(left_margin, right_margin, on_click_template);
+}
+
+const struct particle_info plugin_info = {
+    .from_conf = &from_conf,
+    .attr_count = PARTICLE_COMMON_ATTRS_COUNT + 0,
+    .attrs = {
+        PARTICLE_COMMON_ATTRS,
+    },
+};
diff --git a/particles/empty.h b/particles/empty.h
index b353f3e..5e2f567 100644
--- a/particles/empty.h
+++ b/particles/empty.h
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 #pragma once
 #include "../particle.h"
 
-struct particle *particle_empty_new(
-    int left_margin, int right_margin, const char *on_click_template);
+extern const struct particle_info particle_empty;
diff --git a/particles/list.c b/particles/list.c
index 9a9a5e3..90ba4ac 100644
--- a/particles/list.c
+++ b/particles/list.c
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 #define LOG_MODULE "list"
 #define LOG_ENABLE_DBG 1
 #include "../log.h"
+#include "../config.h"
 
 struct private {
     struct particle **particles;
@@ -165,3 +166,46 @@ particle_list_new(
 
     return particle;
 }
+
+static struct particle *
+from_conf(const struct yml_node *node, const struct font *parent_font,
+          int left_margin, int right_margin, const char *on_click_template)
+{
+    const struct yml_node *items = yml_get_value(node, "items");
+
+    const struct yml_node *spacing = yml_get_value(node, "spacing");
+    const struct yml_node *_left_spacing = yml_get_value(node, "left-spacing");
+    const struct yml_node *_right_spacing = yml_get_value(node, "right-spacing");
+
+    int left_spacing = spacing != NULL ? yml_value_as_int(spacing) :
+        _left_spacing != NULL ? yml_value_as_int(_left_spacing) : 0;
+    int right_spacing = spacing != NULL ? yml_value_as_int(spacing) :
+        _right_spacing != NULL ? yml_value_as_int(_right_spacing) : 2;
+
+    size_t count = yml_list_length(items);
+    struct particle *parts[count];
+
+    size_t idx = 0;
+    for (struct yml_list_iter it = yml_list_iter(items);
+         it.node != NULL;
+         yml_list_next(&it), idx++)
+    {
+        parts[idx] = conf_to_particle(it.node, parent_font);
+    }
+
+    return particle_list_new(
+        parts, count, left_spacing, right_spacing, left_margin, right_margin,
+        on_click_template);
+}
+
+const struct particle_info plugin_info = {
+    .from_conf = &from_conf,
+    .attr_count = PARTICLE_COMMON_ATTRS_COUNT + 4,
+    .attrs = {
+        {"items", true, &conf_verify_particle_list_items},
+        {"spacing", false, &conf_verify_int},
+        {"left-spacing", false, &conf_verify_int},
+        {"right-spacing", false, &conf_verify_int},
+        PARTICLE_COMMON_ATTRS,
+    },
+};
diff --git a/particles/list.h b/particles/list.h
index f6d1d42..01dabb4 100644
--- a/particles/list.h
+++ b/particles/list.h
@@ -5,3 +5,5 @@ struct particle *particle_list_new(
     struct particle *particles[], size_t count,
     int left_spacing, int right_spacing, int left_margin, int right_margin,
     const char *on_click_template);
+
+extern const struct particle_info particle_list;
diff --git a/particles/map.c b/particles/map.c
index 5094fb2..3e023a1 100644
--- a/particles/map.c
+++ b/particles/map.c
@@ -4,6 +4,15 @@
 #include <string.h>
 #include <assert.h>
 
+#define LOG_MODULE "map"
+#include "../log.h"
+#include "../config.h"
+
+struct particle_map {
+    const char *tag_value;
+    struct particle *particle;
+};
+
 struct private {
     char *tag;
     struct particle *default_particle;
@@ -136,11 +145,11 @@ particle_destroy(struct particle *particle)
     particle_default_destroy(particle);
 }
 
-struct particle *
-particle_map_new(const char *tag, const struct particle_map *particle_map,
-                 size_t count, struct particle *default_particle,
-                 int left_margin, int right_margin,
-                 const char *on_click_template)
+static struct particle *
+map_new(const char *tag, const struct particle_map *particle_map,
+        size_t count, struct particle *default_particle,
+        int left_margin, int right_margin,
+        const char *on_click_template)
 {
     struct particle *particle = particle_common_new(
         left_margin, right_margin, on_click_template);
@@ -161,3 +170,71 @@ particle_map_new(const char *tag, const struct particle_map *particle_map,
     particle->private = priv;
     return particle;
 }
+
+static bool
+verify_map_values(keychain_t *chain, const struct yml_node *node)
+{
+    if (!yml_is_dict(node)) {
+        LOG_ERR(
+            "%s: must be a dictionary of workspace-name: particle mappings",
+            conf_err_prefix(chain, node));
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    for (struct yml_dict_iter it = yml_dict_iter(node);
+         it.key != NULL;
+         yml_dict_next(&it))
+    {
+        const char *key = yml_value_as_string(it.key);
+        if (key == NULL) {
+            LOG_ERR("%s: key must be a string", conf_err_prefix(chain, it.key));
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        if (!conf_verify_particle(chain_push(chain, key), it.value))
+            return false;
+
+        chain_pop(chain);
+    }
+
+    return true;
+}
+
+static struct particle *
+from_conf(const struct yml_node *node, const struct font *parent_font,
+          int left_margin, int right_margin, const char *on_click_template)
+{
+    const struct yml_node *tag = yml_get_value(node, "tag");
+    const struct yml_node *values = yml_get_value(node, "values");
+    const struct yml_node *def = yml_get_value(node, "default");
+
+    struct particle_map particle_map[yml_dict_length(values)];
+
+    size_t idx = 0;
+    for (struct yml_dict_iter it = yml_dict_iter(values);
+         it.key != NULL;
+         yml_dict_next(&it), idx++)
+    {
+        particle_map[idx].tag_value = yml_value_as_string(it.key);
+        particle_map[idx].particle = conf_to_particle(it.value, parent_font);
+    }
+
+    struct particle *default_particle = def != NULL
+        ? conf_to_particle(def, parent_font)
+        : NULL;
+
+    return map_new(
+        yml_value_as_string(tag), particle_map, yml_dict_length(values),
+        default_particle, left_margin, right_margin, on_click_template);
+}
+
+const struct particle_info plugin_info = {
+    .from_conf = &from_conf,
+    .attr_count = PARTICLE_COMMON_ATTRS_COUNT + 3,
+    .attrs = {
+        {"tag", true, &conf_verify_string},
+        {"values", true, &verify_map_values},
+        {"default", false, &conf_verify_particle},
+        PARTICLE_COMMON_ATTRS,
+    },
+};
diff --git a/particles/map.h b/particles/map.h
index 77dcee2..c9ccb13 100644
--- a/particles/map.h
+++ b/particles/map.h
@@ -1,12 +1,4 @@
 #pragma once
 #include "../particle.h"
 
-struct particle_map {
-    const char *tag_value;
-    struct particle *particle;
-};
-
-struct particle *particle_map_new(
-    const char *tag, const struct particle_map *particle_map, size_t count,
-    struct particle *default_particle, int left_margin, int right_margin,
-    const char *on_click_template);
+extern const struct particle_info particle_map;
diff --git a/particles/progress-bar.c b/particles/progress-bar.c
index 88b4f2a..68b0d0f 100644
--- a/particles/progress-bar.c
+++ b/particles/progress-bar.c
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 #define LOG_MODULE "progress_bar"
 #define LOG_ENABLE_DBG 0
 #include "../log.h"
+#include "../config.h"
 
 struct private {
     char *tag;
@@ -206,14 +207,14 @@ instantiate(const struct particle *particle, const struct tag_set *tags)
     return exposable;
 }
 
-struct particle *
-particle_progress_bar_new(const char *tag, int width,
-                          struct particle *start_marker,
-                          struct particle *end_marker,
-                          struct particle *fill, struct particle *empty,
-                          struct particle *indicator,
-                          int left_margin, int right_margin,
-                          const char *on_click_template)
+static struct particle *
+progress_bar_new(const char *tag, int width,
+                 struct particle *start_marker,
+                 struct particle *end_marker,
+                 struct particle *fill, struct particle *empty,
+                 struct particle *indicator,
+                 int left_margin, int right_margin,
+                 const char *on_click_template)
 {
     struct private *priv = malloc(sizeof(*priv));
     priv->tag = strdup(tag);
@@ -232,3 +233,42 @@ particle_progress_bar_new(const char *tag, int width,
 
     return particle;
 }
+
+static struct particle *
+from_conf(const struct yml_node *node, const struct font *parent_font,
+          int left_margin, int right_margin, const char *on_click_template)
+{
+    const struct yml_node *tag = yml_get_value(node, "tag");
+    const struct yml_node *length = yml_get_value(node, "length");
+    const struct yml_node *start = yml_get_value(node, "start");
+    const struct yml_node *end = yml_get_value(node, "end");
+    const struct yml_node *fill = yml_get_value(node, "fill");
+    const struct yml_node *empty = yml_get_value(node, "empty");
+    const struct yml_node *indicator = yml_get_value(node, "indicator");
+
+    return progress_bar_new(
+        yml_value_as_string(tag),
+        yml_value_as_int(length),
+        conf_to_particle(start, parent_font),
+        conf_to_particle(end, parent_font),
+        conf_to_particle(fill, parent_font),
+        conf_to_particle(empty, parent_font),
+        conf_to_particle(indicator, parent_font),
+        left_margin, right_margin, on_click_template);
+}
+
+const struct particle_info plugin_info = {
+    .from_conf = &from_conf,
+    .attr_count = PARTICLE_COMMON_ATTRS_COUNT + 7,
+    .attrs = {
+        {"tag", true, &conf_verify_string},
+        {"length", true, &conf_verify_int},
+        /* TODO: make these optional? Default to empty */
+        {"start", true, &conf_verify_particle},
+        {"end", true, &conf_verify_particle},
+        {"fill", true, &conf_verify_particle},
+        {"empty", true, &conf_verify_particle},
+        {"indicator", true, &conf_verify_particle},
+        PARTICLE_COMMON_ATTRS,
+    },
+};
diff --git a/particles/progress-bar.h b/particles/progress-bar.h
index a9f94a5..4095cef 100644
--- a/particles/progress-bar.h
+++ b/particles/progress-bar.h
@@ -1,8 +1,4 @@
 #pragma once
 #include "../particle.h"
 
-struct particle * particle_progress_bar_new(
-    const char *tag, int width,
-    struct particle *start_marker, struct particle *end_marker,
-    struct particle *fill, struct particle *empty, struct particle *indicator,
-    int left_margin, int right_margin, const char *on_click_template);
+extern const struct particle_info particle_progress_bar;
diff --git a/particles/ramp.c b/particles/ramp.c
index 827cecc..2e51cb7 100644
--- a/particles/ramp.c
+++ b/particles/ramp.c
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@
 
 #include <stdio.h>
 
+#include "../config.h"
+
 struct private {
     char *tag;
     struct particle **particles;
@@ -132,10 +134,9 @@ instantiate(const struct particle *particle, const struct tag_set *tags)
     return exposable;
 }
 
-struct particle *
-particle_ramp_new(const char *tag, struct particle *particles[], size_t count,
-                  int left_margin, int right_margin,
-                  const char *on_click_template)
+static struct particle *
+ramp_new(const char *tag, struct particle *particles[], size_t count,
+         int left_margin, int right_margin, const char *on_click_template)
 {
     struct particle *particle = particle_common_new(
         left_margin, right_margin, on_click_template);
@@ -153,3 +154,36 @@ particle_ramp_new(const char *tag, struct particle *particles[], size_t count,
     particle->private = priv;
     return particle;
 }
+
+static struct particle *
+from_conf(const struct yml_node *node, const struct font *parent_font,
+          int left_margin, int right_margin, const char *on_click_template)
+{
+    const struct yml_node *tag = yml_get_value(node, "tag");
+    const struct yml_node *items = yml_get_value(node, "items");
+
+    size_t count = yml_list_length(items);
+    struct particle *parts[count];
+
+    size_t idx = 0;
+    for (struct yml_list_iter it = yml_list_iter(items);
+         it.node != NULL;
+         yml_list_next(&it), idx++)
+    {
+        parts[idx] = conf_to_particle(it.node, parent_font);
+    }
+
+    return ramp_new(
+        yml_value_as_string(tag), parts, count, left_margin, right_margin,
+        on_click_template);
+}
+
+const struct particle_info plugin_info = {
+    .from_conf = &from_conf,
+    .attr_count = PARTICLE_COMMON_ATTRS_COUNT + 2,
+    .attrs = {
+        {"tag", true, &conf_verify_string},
+        {"items", true, &conf_verify_particle_list_items},
+         PARTICLE_COMMON_ATTRS,
+    },
+};
diff --git a/particles/ramp.h b/particles/ramp.h
index 0deb20b..6605fd3 100644
--- a/particles/ramp.h
+++ b/particles/ramp.h
@@ -1,6 +1,4 @@
 #pragma once
 #include "../particle.h"
 
-struct particle *particle_ramp_new(
-    const char *tag, struct particle *particles[], size_t count,
-    int left_margin, int right_margin, const char *on_click_template);
+extern const struct particle_info particle_ramp;
diff --git a/particles/string.c b/particles/string.c
index 303e50a..d47fb93 100644
--- a/particles/string.c
+++ b/particles/string.c
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 #define LOG_MODULE "string"
 #define LOG_ENABLE_DBG 1
 #include "../log.h"
+#include "../config.h"
 
 struct private {
     char *text;
@@ -130,10 +131,10 @@ particle_destroy(struct particle *particle)
     particle_default_destroy(particle);
 }
 
-struct particle *
-particle_string_new(const char *text, size_t max_len, struct font *font,
-                    struct rgba foreground, int left_margin, int right_margin,
-                    const char *on_click_template)
+static struct particle *
+string_new(const char *text, size_t max_len, struct font *font,
+           struct rgba foreground, int left_margin, int right_margin,
+           const char *on_click_template)
 {
     struct private *p = malloc(sizeof(*p));
     p->text = strdup(text);
@@ -150,3 +151,34 @@ particle_string_new(const char *text, size_t max_len, struct font *font,
 
     return particle;
 }
+
+static struct particle *
+from_conf(const struct yml_node *node, const struct font *parent_font,
+          int left_margin, int right_margin, const char *on_click_template)
+{
+    const struct yml_node *text = yml_get_value(node, "text");
+    const struct yml_node *max = yml_get_value(node, "max");
+    const struct yml_node *font = yml_get_value(node, "font");
+    const struct yml_node *foreground = yml_get_value(node, "foreground");
+
+    struct rgba fg_color = foreground != NULL
+        ? conf_to_color(foreground) : (struct rgba){1.0, 1.0, 1.0, 1.0};
+
+    return string_new(
+        yml_value_as_string(text),
+        max != NULL ? yml_value_as_int(max) : 0,
+        font != NULL ? conf_to_font(font) : font_clone(parent_font),
+        fg_color, left_margin, right_margin, on_click_template);
+}
+
+const struct particle_info plugin_info = {
+    .from_conf = &from_conf,
+    .attr_count = PARTICLE_COMMON_ATTRS_COUNT + 4,
+    .attrs = {
+        {"text", true, &conf_verify_string},
+        {"max", false, &conf_verify_int},
+        {"font", false, &conf_verify_font},
+        {"foreground", false, &conf_verify_color},
+        PARTICLE_COMMON_ATTRS,
+    },
+};
diff --git a/particles/string.h b/particles/string.h
index 2f51ccb..ca09106 100644
--- a/particles/string.h
+++ b/particles/string.h
@@ -1,6 +1,4 @@
 #pragma once
 #include "../particle.h"
 
-struct particle *particle_string_new(
-    const char *text, size_t max_len, struct font *font, struct rgba foreground,
-    int left_margin, int right_margin, const char *on_click_template);
+extern const struct particle_info particle_string;
diff --git a/plugin.c b/plugin.c
index 7f59e55..31ce260 100644
--- a/plugin.c
+++ b/plugin.c
@@ -9,14 +9,19 @@
 #include "config.h"
 #include "tllist.h"
 
-struct plugin {
-    char *name;
-    void *lib;
-    const void *sym;
-};
-
 static tll(struct plugin) plugins = tll_init();
 
+static const char *
+type2str(enum plugin_type type)
+{
+    switch (type) {
+    case PLUGIN_MODULE:   return "module";
+    case PLUGIN_PARTICLE: return "particle";
+    }
+
+    return NULL;
+}
+
 static void
 free_plugin(struct plugin plug)
 {
@@ -25,7 +30,7 @@ free_plugin(struct plugin plug)
 
     const char *dl_error = dlerror();
     if (dl_error != NULL)
-        LOG_ERR("%s: dlclose(): %s", plug.name, dl_error);
+        LOG_ERR("%s: %s: dlclose(): %s", type2str(plug.type), plug.name, dl_error);
 
     free(plug.name);
 }
@@ -36,42 +41,57 @@ fini(void)
     tll_free_and_free(plugins, free_plugin);
 }
 
-const struct module_info *
-plugin_load_module(const char *name)
+const struct plugin *
+plugin_load(const char *name, enum plugin_type type)
 {
-    char path[128];
-    snprintf(path, sizeof(path), "lib%s.so", name);
-
-    /* Have we already loaded it? */
     tll_foreach(plugins, plug) {
-        if (strcmp(plug->item.name, name) == 0) {
-            LOG_DBG("%s already loaded: %p", name, plug->item.lib);
+        if (plug->item.type == type && strcmp(plug->item.name, name) == 0) {
+            LOG_DBG("%s: %s already loaded: %p", type2str(type), name, plug->item.lib);
             assert(plug->item.sym != NULL);
-            return plug->item.sym;
+            return &plug->item;
         }
     }
 
+    char path[128];
+    snprintf(
+        path, sizeof(path), "%s_%s.so",
+        type == PLUGIN_MODULE ? "module" : "particle", name);
+
     /* Not loaded - do it now */
     void *lib = dlopen(path, RTLD_LOCAL | RTLD_NOW);
-    LOG_DBG("%s: dlopened to %p", name, lib);
+    LOG_DBG("%s: %s: dlopened to %p", type2str(type), name, lib);
 
     if (lib == NULL) {
-        LOG_ERR("%s: dlopen: %s", name, dlerror());
+        LOG_ERR("%s: %s: dlopen: %s", type2str(type), name, dlerror());
         return NULL;
     }
 
-    tll_push_back(plugins, ((struct plugin){strdup(name), lib}));
+    tll_push_back(plugins, ((struct plugin){strdup(name), type, lib, NULL}));
     struct plugin *plug = &tll_back(plugins);
 
+    /* TODO: rename to plugin_info or so, in both modules and particles */
     dlerror(); /* Clear previous error */
-    plug->sym = dlsym(lib, "module_info");
+    plug->sym = dlsym(lib, "plugin_info");
 
     const char *dlsym_error = dlerror();
     if (dlsym_error != NULL) {
-        LOG_ERR("%s: dlsym: %s", name, dlsym_error);
+        LOG_ERR("%s: %s: dlsym: %s", type2str(type), name, dlsym_error);
         return NULL;
     }
 
-    assert(plug->sym != NULL);
-    return plug->sym;
+    return plug;
+}
+
+const struct module_info *
+plugin_load_module(const char *name)
+{
+    const struct plugin *plug = plugin_load(name, PLUGIN_MODULE);
+    return plug != NULL ? plug->sym : NULL;
+}
+
+const struct particle_info *
+plugin_load_particle(const char *name)
+{
+    const struct plugin *plug = plugin_load(name, PLUGIN_PARTICLE);
+    return plug != NULL ? plug->sym : NULL;
 }
diff --git a/plugin.h b/plugin.h
index 6d829e2..aaa84c4 100644
--- a/plugin.h
+++ b/plugin.h
@@ -1,5 +1,19 @@
 #pragma once
 
 #include "module.h"
+#include "particle.h"
 
 const struct module_info *plugin_load_module(const char *name);
+const struct particle_info *plugin_load_particle(const char *name);
+
+enum plugin_type { PLUGIN_MODULE, PLUGIN_PARTICLE };
+
+struct plugin {
+    char *name;
+    enum plugin_type type;
+
+    void *lib;
+    const void *sym;
+};
+
+const struct plugin *plugin_load(const char *name, enum plugin_type type);