diff --git a/docs/plugins.md b/docs/plugins.md
index df02478c6..0b47c26e4 100644
--- a/docs/plugins.md
+++ b/docs/plugins.md
@@ -38,14 +38,6 @@ exports.config = {
 };
 ```
 
-An example of using the 'ngHint' plugin is shown below.
-
-```javascript
-  plugins: [{
-    path: 'node_modules/protractor/plugins/ngHint',
-  }]
-```
-
 If your plugin is a node module, you may use it with the `package` option. For
 example, if you did `npm install example-protractor-plugin` your config would
 look like:
@@ -56,8 +48,8 @@ look like:
   }]
 ```
 
-Finally, if you are writing a small plugin which will only be used by one config
-file, you can write the plugin inline into the config:
+If you are writing a small plugin which will only be used by one config file,
+you can write the plugin inline into the config:
 
 ```javascript
   plugins: [{
@@ -69,6 +61,9 @@ file, you can write the plugin inline into the config:
   }]
 ```
 
+When using plugins, you should specify exactly one of `path`, `package`, or
+`inline`.
+
 Writing Plugins
 ---------------
 
@@ -76,246 +71,15 @@ Plugins are designed to work with any test framework (Jasmine, Mocha, etc),
 so they use generic hooks which Protractor provides. Plugins may change
 the output of Protractor by returning a results object.
 
-Plugins are node modules which export an object with the following API:
-
-```js
-/**
- * Sets up plugins before tests are run. This is called after the WebDriver
- * session has been started, but before the test framework has been set up.
- *
- * @this {Object} bound to module.exports
- *
- * @throws {*} If this function throws an error, a failed assertion is added to
- *     the test results.
- *
- * @return {q.Promise=} Can return a promise, in which case protractor will wait
- *     for the promise to resolve before continuing.  If the promise is
- *     rejected, a failed assertion is added to the test results.
- */
-exports.setup = function() {};
-
-/**
- * This is called before the test have been run but after the test framework has
- * been set up.  Analogous to a config file's `onPreare`.
- *
- * Very similar to using `setup`, but allows you to access framework-specific
- * variables/funtions (e.g. `jasmine.getEnv().addReporter()`)
- *
- * @throws {*} If this function throws an error, a failed assertion is added to
- *     the test results.
- *
- * @return {Q.Promise=} Can return a promise, in which case protractor will wait
- *     for the promise to resolve before continuing.  If the promise is
- *     rejected, a failed assertion is added to the test results.
- */
-exports.onPrepare = function() {};
-
-/**
- * This is called after the tests have been run, but before the WebDriver
- * session has been terminated.
- *
- * @this {Object} bound to module.exports
- *
- * @throws {*} If this function throws an error, a failed assertion is added to
- *     the test results.
- *
- * @return {q.Promise=} Can return a promise, in which case protractor will wait
- *     for the promise to resolve before continuing.  If the promise is
- *     rejected, a failed assertion is added to the test results.
- */
-exports.teardown = function() {};
-
-/**
- * Called after the test results have been finalized and any jobs have been
- * updated (if applicable).
- *
- * @this {Object} bound to module.exports
- *
- * @throws {*} If this function throws an error, it is outputted to the console
- *
- * @return {q.Promise=} Can return a promise, in which case protractor will wait
- *     for the promise to resolve before continuing.  If the promise is
- *     rejected, an error is logged to the console.
- */
-exports.postResults = function() {};
-
-/**
- * Called after each test block (in Jasmine, this means an `it` block)
- * completes.
- *
- * @param {boolean} passed True if the test passed.
- * @param {Object} testInfo information about the test which just ran.
- *
- * @this {Object} bound to module.exports
- *
- * @throws {*} If this function throws an error, a failed assertion is added to
- *     the test results.
- *
- * @return {q.Promise=} Can return a promise, in which case protractor will wait
- *     for the promise to resolve before outputting test results.  Protractor
- *     will *not* wait before executing the next test, however.  If the promise
- *     is rejected, a failed assertion is added to the test results.
- */
-exports.postTest = function(passed, testInfo) {};
-
-/**
- * This is called inside browser.get() directly after the page loads, and before
- * angular bootstraps.
- *
- * @this {Object} bound to module.exports
- *
- * @throws {*} If this function throws an error, a failed assertion is added to
- *     the test results.
- *
- * @return {q.Promise=} Can return a promise, in which case protractor will wait
- *     for the promise to resolve before continuing.  If the promise is
- *     rejected, a failed assertion is added to the test results.
- */
-exports.onPageLoad = function() {};
-
-/**
- * This is called inside browser.get() directly after angular is done
- * bootstrapping/synchronizing.  If browser.ignoreSynchronization is true, this
- * will not be called.
- *
- * @this {Object} bound to module.exports
- *
- * @throws {*} If this function throws an error, a failed assertion is added to
- *     the test results.
- *
- * @return {q.Promise=} Can return a promise, in which case protractor will wait
- *     for the promise to resolve before continuing.  If the promise is
- *     rejected, a failed assertion is added to the test results.
- */
-exports.onPageStable = function() {};
-
-/**
- * Between every webdriver action, Protractor calls browser.waitForAngular() to
- * make sure that Angular has no outstanding $http or $timeout calls.
- * You can use waitForPromise() to have Protractor additionally wait for your
- * custom promise to be resolved inside of browser.waitForAngular().
- *
- * @this {Object} bound to module.exports
- *
- * @throws {*} If this function throws an error, a failed assertion is added to
- *     the test results.
- *
- * @return {q.Promise=} Can return a promise, in which case protractor will wait
- *     for the promise to resolve before continuing.  If the promise is
- *     rejected, a failed assertion is added to the test results, and protractor
- *     will continue onto the next command.  If nothing is returned or something
- *     other than a promise is returned, protractor will continue onto the next
- *     command.
- */
-exports.waitForPromise = function() {};
-
-/**
- * Between every webdriver action, Protractor calls browser.waitForAngular() to
- * make sure that Angular has no outstanding $http or $timeout calls.
- * You can use waitForCondition() to have Protractor additionally wait for your
- * custom condition to be truthy.
- *
- * @this {Object} bound to module.exports
- *
- * @throws {*} If this function throws an error, a failed assertion is added to
- *     the test results.
- *
- * @return {q.Promise<boolean>|boolean} If truthy, Protractor will continue onto
- *     the next command.  If falsy, webdriver will continuously re-run this
- *     function until it is truthy.  If a rejected promise is returned, a failed
- *     assertion is added to the test results, and protractor will continue onto
- *     the next command.
- */
-exports.waitForCondition = function() {};
-
-/**
- * Used when reporting results.
- *
- * If you do not specify this property, it will be filled in with something
- * reasonable (e.g. the plugin's path)
- *
- * @type {string}
- */
-exports.name = '';
-
-
-/**
- * Used to turn off default checks for angular stability
- *
- * Normally Protractor waits for all $timeout and $http calls to be processed
- * before executing the next command.  This can be disabled using
- * browser.ignoreSynchronization, but that will also disable any
- * <Plugin>.waitForPromise or <Plugin>.waitForCondition checks.  If you want to
- * disable synchronization with angular, but leave in tact any custom plugin
- * synchronization, this is the option for you.
- *
- * This is used by users who want to replace Protractor's synchronization code
- * with their own.
- *
- * @type {boolean}
- */
-exports.skipAngularStability
-```
-
-Each of these exported properties are optional.
+Plugins are node modules that export an object implementing the
+`ProtractorPlugin` interface.  Please see [`/lib/plugins.ts`](
+/lib/plugins.ts#L25) for a list of hooks that are available to plugins.
 
-### Provided properties and functions
+##### Provided properties and functions
 
 Extra properties are added to your `module.exports` when Protractor loads your
 plugin.  These allow your plugin to do things like access its configuration
-block or add test results.  They are as follows:
-
-```js
-/**
- * The plugin configuration object. Note that this is not the entire
- * Protractor config object, just the entry in the plugins array for this
- * plugin.
- *
- * @type {Object}
- */
-exports.config;
-
-/**
- * Adds a failed assertion to the test's results.
- *
- * @param {string} message The error message for the failed assertion
- * @param {specName: string, stackTrace: string} options Some optional extra
- *     information about the assertion:
- *       - specName The name of the spec which this assertion belongs to.
- *            Defaults to `PLUGIN_NAME + ' Plugin Tests'`.
- *       - stackTrace The stack trace for the failure.  Defaults to undefined.
- *     Defaults to `{}`.
- *
- * @throws {Error} Throws an error if called after results have been reported
- */
-exports.addFailure(message, options);
-
-/**
- * Adds a passed assertion to the test's results.
- *
- * @param {specName: string} options Extra information about the assertion:
- *       - specName The name of the spec which this assertion belongs to.
- *            Defaults to `PLUGIN_NAME + ' Plugin Tests'`.
- *     Defaults to `{}`.
- *
- * @throws {Error} Throws an error if called after results have been reported
- */
-exports.addSuccess(options);
-
-/**
- * Warns the user that something is problematic.
- *
- * @param {string} message The message to warn the user about
- * @param {specName: string} options Extra information about the assertion:
- *       - specName The name of the spec which this assertion belongs to.
- *            Defaults to `PLUGIN_NAME + ' Plugin Tests'`.
- *     Defaults to `{}`.
- */
-exports.addWarning(message, options);
-```
-
-If you specify any of these properties in your plugin file, they will be
-overwritten.
+block or add test results.  See `/lib/plugins.ts` for the full list.
 
 ### Writing Plugins in TypeScript
 
@@ -372,15 +136,6 @@ First Party Plugins
   github repo [angular/protractor-timeline-plugin]
   (https://github.com/angular/protractor-timeline-plugin).
 
-* ngHint Plugin
-
-  The ngHint plugin uses [Angular Hint](https://github.com/angular/angular-hint)
-  to generate run-time hinting and then turns these hints into Protractor tests.
-  It is published at the npm module [`protractor-ng-hint-plugin`]
-  (https://www.npmjs.com/package/protractor-ng-hint-plugin) and stored at the
-  github repo [angular/protractor-ng-hint-plugin]
-  (https://github.com/angular/protractor-ng-hint-plugin).
-
 * Console Plugin (Chrome Only)
 
   The console plugin checks the browser log after each test for warnings and
@@ -389,6 +144,15 @@ First Party Plugins
   github repo [angular/protractor-console-plugin]
   (https://github.com/angular/protractor-console-plugin).
 
+* ngHint Plugin (NOT MAINTAINED)
+
+  The ngHint plugin uses [Angular Hint](https://github.com/angular/angular-hint)
+  to generate run-time hinting and then turns these hints into Protractor tests.
+  It is published at the npm module [`protractor-ng-hint-plugin`]
+  (https://www.npmjs.com/package/protractor-ng-hint-plugin) and stored at the
+  github repo [angular/protractor-ng-hint-plugin]
+  (https://github.com/angular/protractor-ng-hint-plugin).
+
 Community Plugins
 -----------------
 
diff --git a/lib/index.ts b/lib/index.ts
index f8394c575..cca144bec 100644
--- a/lib/index.ts
+++ b/lib/index.ts
@@ -2,12 +2,12 @@ import {ElementHelper, ProtractorBrowser} from './browser';
 import {ElementArrayFinder, ElementFinder} from './element';
 import {ProtractorExpectedConditions} from './expectedConditions';
 import {ProtractorBy} from './locators';
+import {PluginConfig, ProtractorPlugin} from './plugins';
 import {Ptor} from './ptor';
 import {Runner} from './runner';
 
 // Re-export selenium-webdriver types.
 export {ActionSequence, Browser, Builder, Button, Capabilities, Capability, error, EventEmitter, FileDetector, Key, logging, promise, Session, until, WebDriver, WebElement, WebElementPromise} from 'selenium-webdriver';
-
 // Re-export public types.
 export {ElementHelper, ProtractorBrowser} from './browser';
 export {Config} from './config';
@@ -15,7 +15,10 @@ export {ElementArrayFinder, ElementFinder} from './element';
 export {ProtractorExpectedConditions} from './expectedConditions';
 export {ProtractorBy} from './locators';
 export {Ptor} from './ptor';
+
 export type Runner = Runner;
+export type PluginConfig = PluginConfig;
+export type ProtractorPlugin = ProtractorPlugin;
 
 export let utils = {
   firefox: require('selenium-webdriver/firefox'),
diff --git a/lib/plugins.ts b/lib/plugins.ts
index 2346b5b93..b548e4229 100644
--- a/lib/plugins.ts
+++ b/lib/plugins.ts
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ export interface ProtractorPlugin {
    * Sets up plugins before tests are run. This is called after the WebDriver
    * session has been started, but before the test framework has been set up.
    *
-   * @this {Object} bound to module.exports
+   * @this {Object} bound to module.exports.
    *
    * @throws {*} If this function throws an error, a failed assertion is added to
    *     the test results.
@@ -43,7 +43,9 @@ export interface ProtractorPlugin {
    * been set up.  Analogous to a config file's `onPreare`.
    *
    * Very similar to using `setup`, but allows you to access framework-specific
-   * variables/funtions (e.g. `jasmine.getEnv().addReporter()`)
+   * variables/funtions (e.g. `jasmine.getEnv().addReporter()`).
+   *
+   * @this {Object} bound to module.exports.
    *
    * @throws {*} If this function throws an error, a failed assertion is added to
    *     the test results.
@@ -58,7 +60,7 @@ export interface ProtractorPlugin {
    * This is called after the tests have been run, but before the WebDriver
    * session has been terminated.
    *
-   * @this {Object} bound to module.exports
+   * @this {Object} bound to module.exports.
    *
    * @throws {*} If this function throws an error, a failed assertion is added to
    *     the test results.
@@ -73,9 +75,10 @@ export interface ProtractorPlugin {
    * Called after the test results have been finalized and any jobs have been
    * updated (if applicable).
    *
-   * @this {Object} bound to module.exports
+   * @this {Object} bound to module.exports.
    *
-   * @throws {*} If this function throws an error, it is outputted to the console
+   * @throws {*} If this function throws an error, it is outputted to the console.
+   *     It is too late to add a failed assertion to the test results.
    *
    * @return {Promise=} Can return a promise, in which case protractor will wait
    *     for the promise to resolve before continuing.  If the promise is
@@ -90,7 +93,7 @@ export interface ProtractorPlugin {
    * @param {boolean} passed True if the test passed.
    * @param {Object} testInfo information about the test which just ran.
    *
-   * @this {Object} bound to module.exports
+   * @this {Object} bound to module.exports.
    *
    * @throws {*} If this function throws an error, a failed assertion is added to
    *     the test results.
@@ -108,7 +111,7 @@ export interface ProtractorPlugin {
    *
    * @param {ProtractorBrowser} browser The browser instance which is loading a page.
    *
-   * @this {Object} bound to module.exports
+   * @this {Object} bound to module.exports.
    *
    * @throws {*} If this function throws an error, a failed assertion is added to
    *     the test results.
@@ -121,12 +124,12 @@ export interface ProtractorPlugin {
 
   /**
    * This is called inside browser.get() directly after angular is done
-   * bootstrapping/synchronizing.  If browser.ignoreSynchronization is true, this
-   * will not be called.
+   * bootstrapping/synchronizing.  If `browser.ignoreSynchronization` is `true`,
+   * this will not be called.
    *
    * @param {ProtractorBrowser} browser The browser instance which is loading a page.
    *
-   * @this {Object} bound to module.exports
+   * @this {Object} bound to module.exports.
    *
    * @throws {*} If this function throws an error, a failed assertion is added to
    *     the test results.
@@ -145,7 +148,7 @@ export interface ProtractorPlugin {
    *
    * @param {ProtractorBrowser} browser The browser instance which needs invoked `waitForAngular`.
    *
-   * @this {Object} bound to module.exports
+   * @this {Object} bound to module.exports.
    *
    * @throws {*} If this function throws an error, a failed assertion is added to
    *     the test results.
@@ -168,7 +171,7 @@ export interface ProtractorPlugin {
    *
    * @param {ProtractorBrowser} browser The browser instance which needs invoked `waitForAngular`.
    *
-   * @this {Object} bound to module.exports
+   * @this {Object} bound to module.exports.
    *
    * @throws {*} If this function throws an error, a failed assertion is added to
    *     the test results.
@@ -188,40 +191,44 @@ export interface ProtractorPlugin {
    * before executing the next command.  This can be disabled using
    * browser.ignoreSynchronization, but that will also disable any
    * <Plugin>.waitForPromise or <Plugin>.waitForCondition checks.  If you want
-   * to
-   * disable synchronization with angular, but leave in tact any custom plugin
+   * to disable synchronization with angular, but leave intact any custom plugin
    * synchronization, this is the option for you.
    *
-   * This is used by users who want to replace Protractor's synchronization code
-   * This is used by users who want to replace Protractor's synchronization code
-   * with their own.
+   * This is used by plugin authors who want to replace Protractor's
+   * synchronization code with their own.
    *
    * @type {boolean}
    */
   skipAngularStability?: boolean;
 
   /**
-   * Used when reporting results.
+   * The name of the plugin.  Used when reporting results.
    *
    * If you do not specify this property, it will be filled in with something
-   * reasonable (e.g. the plugin's path)
+   * reasonable (e.g. the plugin's path) by Protractor at runtime.
    *
    * @type {string}
    */
   name?: string;
 
   /**
-   * The plugin configuration object. Note that this is not the entire
-   * Protractor config object, just the entry in the plugins array for this
-   * plugin.
+   * The plugin's configuration object.
+   *
+   * Note: this property is added by Protractor at runtime.  Any pre-existing
+   * value will be overwritten.
+   *
+   * Note: that this is not the entire Protractor config object, just the entry
+   * in the `plugins` array for this plugin.
    *
    * @type {Object}
    */
   config?: PluginConfig;
 
   /**
-   * Adds a failed assertion to the test's results. Note: this is added by the
-   * Protractor API, not to be implemented by the plugin author.
+   * Adds a failed assertion to the test's results.
+   *
+   * Note: this property is added by Protractor at runtime.  Any pre-existing
+   * value will be overwritten.
    *
    * @param {string} message The error message for the failed assertion
    * @param {specName: string, stackTrace: string} options Some optional extra
@@ -236,8 +243,10 @@ export interface ProtractorPlugin {
   addFailure?(message?: string, info?: {specName?: string, stackTrace?: string}): void;
 
   /**
-   * Adds a passed assertion to the test's results. Note: this is added by the
-   * Protractor API, not to be implemented by the plugin author.
+   * Adds a passed assertion to the test's results.
+   *
+   * Note: this property is added by Protractor at runtime.  Any pre-existing
+   * value will be overwritten.
    *
    * @param {specName: string} options Extra information about the assertion:
    *       - specName The name of the spec which this assertion belongs to.
@@ -249,8 +258,10 @@ export interface ProtractorPlugin {
   addSuccess?(info?: {specName?: string}): void;
 
   /**
-   * Warns the user that something is problematic. Note: this is added by the
-   * Protractor API, not to be implemented by the plugin author.
+   * Warns the user that something is problematic.
+   *
+   * Note: this property is added by Protractor at runtime.  Any pre-existing
+   * value will be overwritten.
    *
    * @param {string} message The message to warn the user about
    * @param {specName: string} options Extra information about the assertion: