diff --git a/lib/capistrano/configuration.rb b/lib/capistrano/configuration.rb
index cef9fa86..68819d71 100644
--- a/lib/capistrano/configuration.rb
+++ b/lib/capistrano/configuration.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 require_relative "configuration/filter"
 require_relative "configuration/question"
+require_relative "configuration/plugin_installer"
 require_relative "configuration/server"
 require_relative "configuration/servers"
 
@@ -151,6 +152,10 @@ module Capistrano
       fetch(:sshkit_backend) == SSHKit::Backend::Printer
     end
 
+    def install_plugin(plugin, hooks:true)
+      installer.install(plugin, hooks: hooks)
+    end
+
     private
 
     def cmdline_filters
@@ -169,6 +174,10 @@ module Capistrano
       @validators ||= {}
     end
 
+    def installer
+      @installer ||= PluginInstaller.new
+    end
+
     def fetch_for(key, default, &block)
       if block_given?
         config.fetch(key, &block)
diff --git a/lib/capistrano/configuration/plugin_installer.rb b/lib/capistrano/configuration/plugin_installer.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..71ce1f45
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/capistrano/configuration/plugin_installer.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+# Encapsulates the logic for installing plugins into Capistrano. Plugins must
+# simply conform to a basic API; the PluginInstaller takes care of invoking the
+# API at appropriate times.
+#
+# This class is not used directly; instead it is typically accessed via the
+# `install_plugin` method of the Capistrano DSL.
+#
+module Capistrano
+  class Configuration
+    class PluginInstaller
+      # "Installs" a Plugin into Capistrano by loading its tasks, hooks, and
+      # defaults at the appropriate time. The hooks in particular can be
+      # skipped, if you want full control over when and how the plugin's tasks
+      # are executed. Simply pass `hooks:false` to opt out.
+      #
+      # The plugin class or instance may be provided. These are equivalent:
+      #
+      # install(Capistrano::SCM::Git)
+      # install(Capistrano::SCM::Git.new)
+      #
+      def install(plugin, hooks:true)
+        plugin = plugin.is_a?(Class) ? plugin.new : plugin
+
+        plugin.define_tasks
+        plugin.register_hooks if hooks
+
+        Rake::Task.define_task("load:defaults") do
+          plugin.set_defaults
+        end
+      end
+    end
+  end
+end
diff --git a/lib/capistrano/dsl/env.rb b/lib/capistrano/dsl/env.rb
index cc22dd50..d609fd45 100644
--- a/lib/capistrano/dsl/env.rb
+++ b/lib/capistrano/dsl/env.rb
@@ -6,7 +6,8 @@ module Capistrano
       extend Forwardable
       def_delegators :env,
                      :configure_backend, :fetch, :set, :set_if_empty, :delete,
-                     :ask, :role, :server, :primary, :validate, :append, :remove, :dry_run?
+                     :ask, :role, :server, :primary, :validate, :append,
+                     :remove, :dry_run?, :install_plugin
 
       def is_question?(key)
         env.is_question?(key)
diff --git a/lib/capistrano/plugin.rb b/lib/capistrano/plugin.rb
index 0901174a..63cee207 100644
--- a/lib/capistrano/plugin.rb
+++ b/lib/capistrano/plugin.rb
@@ -20,37 +20,21 @@ require "rake/tasklib"
 #
 # Package up and distribute your plugin class as a gem and you're good to go!
 #
-# To use a plugin, all a user has to do is instantiate it in the Capfile, like
-# this:
+# To use a plugin, all a user has to do is install it in the Capfile, like this:
 #
 #   # Capfile
 #   require "capistrano/superfancy"
-#   Capistrano::Superfancy.new
+#   install_plugin Capistrano::Superfancy
 #
 # Or, to install the plugin without its hooks:
 #
 #   # Capfile
 #   require "capistrano/superfancy"
-#   Capistrano::Superfancy.new(hooks: false)
+#   install_plugin Capistrano::Superfancy, hooks: false
 #
 class Capistrano::Plugin < Rake::TaskLib
   include Capistrano::DSL
 
-  # Constructing a plugin "installs" it into Capistrano by loading its tasks,
-  # hooks, and defaults at the appropriate time. The hooks in particular can be
-  # skipped, if you want full control over when and how the plugin's tasks are
-  # executed. Simply pass `hooks:false` to opt out.
-  #
-  def initialize(hooks: true)
-    define_tasks
-    register_hooks if hooks
-    task "load:defaults" do
-      set_defaults
-    end
-  end
-
-  private
-
   # Implemented by subclasses to provide default values for settings needed by
   # this plugin. Typically done using the `set_if_empty` Capistrano DSL method.
   #
@@ -94,6 +78,8 @@ class Capistrano::Plugin < Rake::TaskLib
   #
   def define_tasks; end
 
+  private
+
   # Read and eval a .rake file in such a way that `self` within the .rake file
   # refers to this plugin instance. This gives the tasks in the file access to
   # helper methods defined by the plugin.
diff --git a/spec/lib/capistrano/plugin_spec.rb b/spec/lib/capistrano/plugin_spec.rb
index 7767c04b..4865b2e6 100644
--- a/spec/lib/capistrano/plugin_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/lib/capistrano/plugin_spec.rb
@@ -42,33 +42,35 @@ module Capistrano
     end
 
     it "defines tasks when constructed" do
-      DummyPlugin.new
+      install_plugin(DummyPlugin)
       expect(Rake::Task["hello"]).not_to be_nil
     end
 
     it "registers hooks when constructed" do
-      DummyPlugin.new
+      install_plugin(DummyPlugin)
       expect(Rake::Task["deploy:published"].prerequisites).to include("hello")
     end
 
     it "skips registering hooks if :hooks => false" do
-      DummyPlugin.new(hooks: false)
+      install_plugin(DummyPlugin, hooks: false)
       expect(Rake::Task["deploy:published"].prerequisites).to be_empty
     end
 
     it "doesn't call set_defaults immediately" do
       dummy = DummyPlugin.new
+      install_plugin(dummy)
       dummy.expects(:set_defaults).never
     end
 
     it "calls set_defaults during load:defaults" do
       dummy = DummyPlugin.new
       dummy.expects(:set_defaults).once
+      install_plugin(dummy)
       Rake::Task["load:defaults"].invoke
     end
 
     it "is able to load tasks from a .rake file" do
-      ExternalTasksPlugin.new
+      install_plugin(ExternalTasksPlugin)
       Rake::Task["plugin_test"].invoke
       expect(fetch(:plugin_result)).to eq("hello")
     end