diff --git a/packages/frontend-app-api/src/extensions/Core.tsx b/packages/frontend-app-api/src/extensions/Core.tsx
index cb93b2888f..4cb21a8702 100644
--- a/packages/frontend-app-api/src/extensions/Core.tsx
+++ b/packages/frontend-app-api/src/extensions/Core.tsx
@@ -17,17 +17,16 @@
 import {
   coreExtensionData,
   createExtension,
+  createExtensionInput,
 } from '@backstage/frontend-plugin-api';
 
 export const Core = createExtension({
   id: 'core',
   at: 'root',
   inputs: {
-    apis: {
-      extensionData: {
-        api: coreExtensionData.apiFactory,
-      },
-    },
+    apis: createExtensionInput({
+      api: coreExtensionData.apiFactory,
+    }),
   },
   output: {},
   factory() {},
diff --git a/packages/frontend-app-api/src/extensions/CoreLayout.tsx b/packages/frontend-app-api/src/extensions/CoreLayout.tsx
index 29680bf23c..0c5c0446fc 100644
--- a/packages/frontend-app-api/src/extensions/CoreLayout.tsx
+++ b/packages/frontend-app-api/src/extensions/CoreLayout.tsx
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ import React from 'react';
 import {
   createExtension,
   coreExtensionData,
+  createExtensionInput,
 } from '@backstage/frontend-plugin-api';
 import { SidebarPage } from '@backstage/core-components';
 
@@ -25,39 +26,28 @@ export const CoreLayout = createExtension({
   id: 'core.layout',
   at: 'root',
   inputs: {
-    nav: {
-      extensionData: {
+    nav: createExtensionInput(
+      {
         element: coreExtensionData.reactElement,
       },
-    },
-    content: {
-      extensionData: {
+      { singleton: true },
+    ),
+    content: createExtensionInput(
+      {
         element: coreExtensionData.reactElement,
       },
-    },
+      { singleton: true },
+    ),
   },
   output: {
     element: coreExtensionData.reactElement,
   },
   factory({ bind, inputs }) {
-    // TODO: Support this as part of the core system
-    if (inputs.nav.length !== 1) {
-      throw Error(
-        `Extension 'core.layout' did not receive exactly one 'nav' input, got ${inputs.nav.length}`,
-      );
-    }
-    if (inputs.content.length !== 1) {
-      throw Error(
-        `Extension 'core.layout' did not receive exactly one 'content' input, got ${inputs.content.length}`,
-      );
-    }
-
     bind({
-      // TODO: set base path using the logic from AppRouter
       element: (
         <SidebarPage>
-          {inputs.nav[0].element}
-          {inputs.content[0].element}
+          {inputs.nav.element}
+          {inputs.content.element}
         </SidebarPage>
       ),
     });
diff --git a/packages/frontend-app-api/src/extensions/CoreNav.tsx b/packages/frontend-app-api/src/extensions/CoreNav.tsx
index da709d1eb3..e66bee8212 100644
--- a/packages/frontend-app-api/src/extensions/CoreNav.tsx
+++ b/packages/frontend-app-api/src/extensions/CoreNav.tsx
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ import React from 'react';
 import {
   createExtension,
   coreExtensionData,
+  createExtensionInput,
 } from '@backstage/frontend-plugin-api';
 import { makeStyles } from '@material-ui/core';
 import {
@@ -66,11 +67,9 @@ export const CoreNav = createExtension({
   id: 'core.nav',
   at: 'core.layout/nav',
   inputs: {
-    targets: {
-      extensionData: {
-        path: coreExtensionData.navTarget,
-      },
-    },
+    items: createExtensionInput({
+      path: coreExtensionData.navTarget,
+    }),
   },
   output: {
     element: coreExtensionData.reactElement,
diff --git a/packages/frontend-app-api/src/extensions/CoreRoutes.tsx b/packages/frontend-app-api/src/extensions/CoreRoutes.tsx
index 5a6cd87bfd..5c79b56f43 100644
--- a/packages/frontend-app-api/src/extensions/CoreRoutes.tsx
+++ b/packages/frontend-app-api/src/extensions/CoreRoutes.tsx
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ import React from 'react';
 import {
   createExtension,
   coreExtensionData,
+  createExtensionInput,
 } from '@backstage/frontend-plugin-api';
 import { useRoutes } from 'react-router-dom';
 
@@ -25,13 +26,11 @@ export const CoreRoutes = createExtension({
   id: 'core.routes',
   at: 'core.layout/content',
   inputs: {
-    routes: {
-      extensionData: {
-        path: coreExtensionData.routePath,
-        ref: coreExtensionData.routeRef,
-        element: coreExtensionData.reactElement,
-      },
-    },
+    routes: createExtensionInput({
+      path: coreExtensionData.routePath,
+      ref: coreExtensionData.routeRef.optional(),
+      element: coreExtensionData.reactElement,
+    }),
   },
   output: {
     element: coreExtensionData.reactElement,
diff --git a/packages/frontend-app-api/src/wiring/createExtensionInstance.test.ts b/packages/frontend-app-api/src/wiring/createExtensionInstance.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..12e109874a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/frontend-app-api/src/wiring/createExtensionInstance.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,370 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2023 The Backstage Authors
+ *
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
+import {
+  createExtension,
+  createExtensionDataRef,
+  createExtensionInput,
+  createSchemaFromZod,
+} from '@backstage/frontend-plugin-api';
+import { createExtensionInstance } from './createExtensionInstance';
+
+const testDataRef = createExtensionDataRef<string>('test');
+const otherDataRef = createExtensionDataRef<number>('other');
+const inputMirrorDataRef = createExtensionDataRef<unknown>('mirror');
+
+const simpleExtension = createExtension({
+  id: 'core.test',
+  at: 'ignored',
+  output: {
+    test: testDataRef,
+    other: otherDataRef.optional(),
+  },
+  configSchema: createSchemaFromZod(z =>
+    z.object({
+      output: z.string().default('test'),
+      other: z.number().optional(),
+    }),
+  ),
+  factory({ bind, config }) {
+    bind({ test: config.output, other: config.other });
+  },
+});
+
+describe('createExtensionInstance', () => {
+  it('should create a simple extension instance', () => {
+    const attachments = new Map();
+    const instance = createExtensionInstance({
+      attachments,
+      config: undefined,
+      extension: simpleExtension,
+    });
+
+    expect(instance.id).toBe('core.test');
+    expect(instance.attachments).toBe(attachments);
+    expect(instance.getData(testDataRef)).toEqual('test');
+  });
+
+  it('should create an extension with different kind of inputs', () => {
+    const attachments = new Map([
+      [
+        'optionalSingletonPresent',
+        [
+          createExtensionInstance({
+            attachments: new Map(),
+            config: { output: 'optionalSingletonPresent' },
+            extension: simpleExtension,
+          }),
+        ],
+      ],
+      [
+        'singleton',
+        [
+          createExtensionInstance({
+            attachments: new Map(),
+            config: { output: 'singleton', other: 2 },
+            extension: simpleExtension,
+          }),
+        ],
+      ],
+      [
+        'many',
+        [
+          createExtensionInstance({
+            attachments: new Map(),
+            config: { output: 'many1' },
+            extension: simpleExtension,
+          }),
+          createExtensionInstance({
+            attachments: new Map(),
+            config: { output: 'many2', other: 3 },
+            extension: simpleExtension,
+          }),
+        ],
+      ],
+    ]);
+    const instance = createExtensionInstance({
+      attachments,
+      config: undefined,
+      extension: createExtension({
+        id: 'core.test',
+        at: 'ignored',
+        inputs: {
+          optionalSingletonPresent: createExtensionInput(
+            {
+              test: testDataRef,
+              other: otherDataRef.optional(),
+            },
+            { singleton: true, optional: true },
+          ),
+          optionalSingletonMissing: createExtensionInput(
+            {
+              test: testDataRef,
+              other: otherDataRef.optional(),
+            },
+            { singleton: true, optional: true },
+          ),
+          singleton: createExtensionInput(
+            {
+              test: testDataRef,
+              other: otherDataRef.optional(),
+            },
+            { singleton: true },
+          ),
+          many: createExtensionInput({
+            test: testDataRef,
+            other: otherDataRef.optional(),
+          }),
+        },
+        output: {
+          inputMirror: inputMirrorDataRef,
+        },
+        factory({ bind, inputs }) {
+          bind({ inputMirror: inputs });
+        },
+      }),
+    });
+
+    expect(instance.id).toBe('core.test');
+    expect(instance.attachments).toBe(attachments);
+    expect(instance.getData(inputMirrorDataRef)).toEqual({
+      optionalSingletonPresent: { test: 'optionalSingletonPresent' },
+      singleton: { test: 'singleton', other: 2 },
+      many: [{ test: 'many1' }, { test: 'many2', other: 3 }],
+    });
+  });
+
+  it('should refuse to create an extension with invalid config', () => {
+    expect(() =>
+      createExtensionInstance({
+        attachments: new Map(),
+        config: { other: 'not-a-number' },
+        extension: simpleExtension,
+      }),
+    ).toThrow(
+      "Invalid configuration for extension 'core.test'; caused by Error: Expected number, received string at 'other'",
+    );
+  });
+
+  it('should forward extension factory errors', () => {
+    expect(() =>
+      createExtensionInstance({
+        attachments: new Map(),
+        config: { other: 'not-a-number' },
+        extension: createExtension({
+          id: 'core.test',
+          at: 'ignored',
+          output: {},
+          factory() {
+            const error = new Error('NOPE');
+            error.name = 'NopeError';
+            throw error;
+          },
+        }),
+      }),
+    ).toThrow(
+      "Failed to instantiate extension 'core.test'; caused by NopeError: NOPE",
+    );
+  });
+
+  it('should refuse to create an instance with duplicate output', () => {
+    const attachments = new Map();
+    expect(() =>
+      createExtensionInstance({
+        attachments,
+        config: undefined,
+        extension: createExtension({
+          id: 'core.test',
+          at: 'ignored',
+          output: {
+            test1: testDataRef,
+            test2: testDataRef,
+          },
+          factory({ bind }) {
+            bind({ test1: 'test', test2: 'test2' });
+          },
+        }),
+      }),
+    ).toThrow(
+      "Failed to instantiate extension 'core.test', duplicate extension data 'test' received via output 'test2'",
+    );
+  });
+
+  it('should refuse to create an instance with disconnected output data', () => {
+    const attachments = new Map();
+    expect(() =>
+      createExtensionInstance({
+        attachments,
+        config: undefined,
+        extension: createExtension({
+          id: 'core.test',
+          at: 'ignored',
+          output: {
+            test: testDataRef,
+          },
+          factory({ bind }) {
+            bind({ nonexistent: 'test' } as any);
+          },
+        }),
+      }),
+    ).toThrow(
+      "Failed to instantiate extension 'core.test', unknown output provided via 'nonexistent'",
+    );
+  });
+
+  it('should refuse to create an instance with missing required input', () => {
+    expect(() =>
+      createExtensionInstance({
+        attachments: new Map(),
+        config: undefined,
+        extension: createExtension({
+          id: 'core.test',
+          at: 'ignored',
+          inputs: {
+            singleton: createExtensionInput(
+              {
+                test: testDataRef,
+              },
+              { singleton: true },
+            ),
+          },
+          output: {},
+          factory() {},
+        }),
+      }),
+    ).toThrow(
+      "Failed to instantiate extension 'core.test', input 'singleton' is required but was not received",
+    );
+  });
+
+  it('should refuse to create an instance with multiple inputs for required singleton', () => {
+    expect(() =>
+      createExtensionInstance({
+        attachments: new Map([
+          [
+            'singleton',
+            [
+              createExtensionInstance({
+                attachments: new Map(),
+                config: { output: 'many1' },
+                extension: simpleExtension,
+              }),
+              createExtensionInstance({
+                attachments: new Map(),
+                config: { output: 'many2' },
+                extension: simpleExtension,
+              }),
+            ],
+          ],
+        ]),
+        config: undefined,
+        extension: createExtension({
+          id: 'core.test',
+          at: 'ignored',
+          inputs: {
+            singleton: createExtensionInput(
+              {
+                test: testDataRef,
+              },
+              { singleton: true },
+            ),
+          },
+          output: {},
+          factory() {},
+        }),
+      }),
+    ).toThrow(
+      "Failed to instantiate extension 'core.test', expected exactly one 'singleton' input but received multiple: 'core.test', 'core.test'",
+    );
+  });
+
+  it('should refuse to create an instance with multiple inputs for optional singleton', () => {
+    expect(() =>
+      createExtensionInstance({
+        attachments: new Map([
+          [
+            'singleton',
+            [
+              createExtensionInstance({
+                attachments: new Map(),
+                config: { output: 'many1' },
+                extension: simpleExtension,
+              }),
+              createExtensionInstance({
+                attachments: new Map(),
+                config: { output: 'many2' },
+                extension: simpleExtension,
+              }),
+            ],
+          ],
+        ]),
+        config: undefined,
+        extension: createExtension({
+          id: 'core.test',
+          at: 'ignored',
+          inputs: {
+            singleton: createExtensionInput(
+              {
+                test: testDataRef,
+              },
+              { singleton: true, optional: true },
+            ),
+          },
+          output: {},
+          factory() {},
+        }),
+      }),
+    ).toThrow(
+      "Failed to instantiate extension 'core.test', expected at most one 'singleton' input but received multiple: 'core.test', 'core.test'",
+    );
+  });
+
+  it('should refuse to create an instance with multiple inputs that did not provide required data', () => {
+    expect(() =>
+      createExtensionInstance({
+        attachments: new Map([
+          [
+            'singleton',
+            [
+              createExtensionInstance({
+                attachments: new Map(),
+                config: undefined,
+                extension: simpleExtension,
+              }),
+            ],
+          ],
+        ]),
+        config: undefined,
+        extension: createExtension({
+          id: 'core.test',
+          at: 'ignored',
+          inputs: {
+            singleton: createExtensionInput(
+              {
+                other: otherDataRef,
+              },
+              { singleton: true },
+            ),
+          },
+          output: {},
+          factory() {},
+        }),
+      }),
+    ).toThrow(
+      "Failed to instantiate extension 'core.test', input 'singleton' did not receive required extension data 'other' from extension 'core.test'",
+    );
+  });
+});
diff --git a/packages/frontend-app-api/src/wiring/createExtensionInstance.ts b/packages/frontend-app-api/src/wiring/createExtensionInstance.ts
index 52afe95121..afa3cbfefc 100644
--- a/packages/frontend-app-api/src/wiring/createExtensionInstance.ts
+++ b/packages/frontend-app-api/src/wiring/createExtensionInstance.ts
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@
  */
 
 import {
+  AnyExtensionDataMap,
+  AnyExtensionInputMap,
   BackstagePlugin,
   Extension,
   ExtensionDataRef,
@@ -36,6 +38,56 @@ export interface ExtensionInstance {
   readonly attachments: Map<string, ExtensionInstance[]>;
 }
 
+function resolveInputData(
+  dataMap: AnyExtensionDataMap,
+  attachment: ExtensionInstance,
+  inputName: string,
+) {
+  return mapValues(dataMap, ref => {
+    const value = attachment.getData(ref);
+    if (value === undefined && !ref.config.optional) {
+      throw new Error(
+        `input '${inputName}' did not receive required extension data '${ref.id}' from extension '${attachment.id}'`,
+      );
+    }
+    return value;
+  });
+}
+
+function resolveInputs(
+  inputMap: AnyExtensionInputMap,
+  attachments: Map<string, ExtensionInstance[]>,
+) {
+  return mapValues(inputMap, (input, inputName) => {
+    const attachedInstances = attachments.get(inputName) ?? [];
+    if (input.config.singleton) {
+      if (attachedInstances.length > 1) {
+        throw Error(
+          `expected ${
+            input.config.optional ? 'at most' : 'exactly'
+          } one '${inputName}' input but received multiple: '${attachedInstances
+            .map(e => e.id)
+            .join("', '")}'`,
+        );
+      } else if (attachedInstances.length === 0) {
+        if (input.config.optional) {
+          return undefined;
+        }
+        throw Error(`input '${inputName}' is required but was not received`);
+      }
+      return resolveInputData(
+        input.extensionData,
+        attachedInstances[0],
+        inputName,
+      );
+    }
+
+    return attachedInstances.map(attachment =>
+      resolveInputData(input.extensionData, attachment, inputName),
+    );
+  });
+}
+
 /** @internal */
 export function createExtensionInstance(options: {
   extension: Extension<unknown>;
@@ -51,7 +103,7 @@ export function createExtensionInstance(options: {
     parsedConfig = extension.configSchema?.parse(config ?? {});
   } catch (e) {
     throw new Error(
-      `Invalid configuration for extension instance '${extension.id}', ${e}`,
+      `Invalid configuration for extension '${extension.id}'; caused by ${e}`,
     );
   }
 
@@ -63,26 +115,23 @@ export function createExtensionInstance(options: {
         for (const [name, output] of Object.entries(namedOutputs)) {
           const ref = extension.output[name];
           if (!ref) {
+            throw new Error(`unknown output provided via '${name}'`);
+          }
+          if (extensionData.has(ref.id)) {
             throw new Error(
-              `Extension instance '${extension.id}' tried to bind unknown output '${name}'`,
+              `duplicate extension data '${ref.id}' received via output '${name}'`,
             );
           }
           extensionData.set(ref.id, output);
         }
       },
-      inputs: mapValues(
-        extension.inputs,
-        ({ extensionData: pointData }, inputName) => {
-          // TODO: validation
-          return (attachments.get(inputName) ?? []).map(attachment =>
-            mapValues(pointData, ref => attachment.getData(ref)),
-          );
-        },
-      ),
+      inputs: resolveInputs(extension.inputs, attachments),
     });
   } catch (e) {
     throw new Error(
-      `Failed to instantiate extension instance '${extension.id}', ${e}`,
+      `Failed to instantiate extension '${extension.id}'${
+        e.name === 'Error' ? `, ${e.message}` : `; caused by ${e}`
+      }`,
     );
   }
 
diff --git a/packages/frontend-plugin-api/api-report.md b/packages/frontend-plugin-api/api-report.md
index 88a0dc1793..5855976bc4 100644
--- a/packages/frontend-plugin-api/api-report.md
+++ b/packages/frontend-plugin-api/api-report.md
@@ -19,7 +19,23 @@ import { ZodTypeDef } from 'zod';
 
 // @public (undocumented)
 export type AnyExtensionDataMap = {
-  [name in string]: ExtensionDataRef<any, any>;
+  [name in string]: ExtensionDataRef<
+    unknown,
+    {
+      optional?: true;
+    }
+  >;
+};
+
+// @public (undocumented)
+export type AnyExtensionInputMap = {
+  [inputName in string]: ExtensionInput<
+    AnyExtensionDataMap,
+    {
+      optional: boolean;
+      singleton: boolean;
+    }
+  >;
 };
 
 // @public (undocumented)
@@ -60,19 +76,14 @@ export const coreExtensionData: {
 // @public (undocumented)
 export function createApiExtension<
   TConfig extends {},
-  TInputs extends Record<
-    string,
-    {
-      extensionData: AnyExtensionDataMap;
-    }
-  >,
+  TInputs extends AnyExtensionInputMap,
 >(
   options: (
     | {
         api: AnyApiRef;
         factory: (options: {
           config: TConfig;
-          inputs: ExtensionDataInputValues<TInputs>;
+          inputs: Expand<ExtensionInputValues<TInputs>>;
         }) => AnyApiFactory;
       }
     | {
@@ -87,12 +98,7 @@ export function createApiExtension<
 // @public (undocumented)
 export function createExtension<
   TOutput extends AnyExtensionDataMap,
-  TInputs extends Record<
-    string,
-    {
-      extensionData: AnyExtensionDataMap;
-    }
-  >,
+  TInputs extends AnyExtensionInputMap,
   TConfig = never,
 >(
   options: CreateExtensionOptions<TOutput, TInputs, TConfig>,
@@ -103,15 +109,28 @@ export function createExtensionDataRef<TData>(
   id: string,
 ): ConfigurableExtensionDataRef<TData>;
 
+// @public (undocumented)
+export function createExtensionInput<
+  TExtensionData extends AnyExtensionDataMap,
+  TConfig extends {
+    singleton?: boolean;
+    optional?: boolean;
+  },
+>(
+  extensionData: TExtensionData,
+  config?: TConfig,
+): ExtensionInput<
+  TExtensionData,
+  {
+    singleton: TConfig['singleton'] extends true ? true : false;
+    optional: TConfig['optional'] extends true ? true : false;
+  }
+>;
+
 // @public (undocumented)
 export interface CreateExtensionOptions<
   TOutput extends AnyExtensionDataMap,
-  TInputs extends Record<
-    string,
-    {
-      extensionData: AnyExtensionDataMap;
-    }
-  >,
+  TInputs extends AnyExtensionInputMap,
   TConfig,
 > {
   // (undocumented)
@@ -123,9 +142,9 @@ export interface CreateExtensionOptions<
   // (undocumented)
   factory(options: {
     source?: BackstagePlugin;
-    bind: ExtensionDataBind<TOutput>;
+    bind(values: Expand<ExtensionDataValues<TOutput>>): void;
     config: TConfig;
-    inputs: ExtensionDataInputValues<TInputs>;
+    inputs: Expand<ExtensionInputValues<TInputs>>;
   }): void;
   // (undocumented)
   id: string;
@@ -150,12 +169,7 @@ export function createPageExtension<
   TConfig extends {
     path: string;
   },
-  TInputs extends Record<
-    string,
-    {
-      extensionData: AnyExtensionDataMap;
-    }
-  >,
+  TInputs extends AnyExtensionInputMap,
 >(
   options: (
     | {
@@ -172,7 +186,7 @@ export function createPageExtension<
     routeRef?: RouteRef;
     loader: (options: {
       config: TConfig;
-      inputs: ExtensionDataInputValues<TInputs>;
+      inputs: Expand<ExtensionInputValues<TInputs>>;
     }) => Promise<JSX.Element>;
   },
 ): Extension<TConfig>;
@@ -198,19 +212,17 @@ export interface Extension<TConfig> {
   // (undocumented)
   factory(options: {
     source?: BackstagePlugin;
-    bind: ExtensionDataBind<AnyExtensionDataMap>;
+    bind(values: ExtensionInputValues<any>): void;
     config: TConfig;
-    inputs: Record<string, Array<Record<string, unknown>>>;
+    inputs: Record<
+      string,
+      undefined | Record<string, unknown> | Array<Record<string, unknown>>
+    >;
   }): void;
   // (undocumented)
   id: string;
   // (undocumented)
-  inputs: Record<
-    string,
-    {
-      extensionData: AnyExtensionDataMap;
-    }
-  >;
+  inputs: AnyExtensionInputMap;
   // (undocumented)
   output: AnyExtensionDataMap;
 }
@@ -228,48 +240,6 @@ export interface ExtensionBoundaryProps {
   source?: BackstagePlugin;
 }
 
-// @public (undocumented)
-export type ExtensionDataBind<TMap extends AnyExtensionDataMap> = (
-  values: {
-    [DataName in keyof TMap as TMap[DataName]['config'] extends {
-      optional: true;
-    }
-      ? never
-      : DataName]: TMap[DataName]['T'];
-  } & {
-    [DataName in keyof TMap as TMap[DataName]['config'] extends {
-      optional: true;
-    }
-      ? DataName
-      : never]?: TMap[DataName]['T'];
-  },
-) => void;
-
-// @public (undocumented)
-export type ExtensionDataInputValues<
-  TInputs extends {
-    [name in string]: {
-      extensionData: AnyExtensionDataMap;
-    };
-  },
-> = {
-  [InputName in keyof TInputs]: Array<
-    {
-      [DataName in keyof TInputs[InputName]['extensionData'] as TInputs[InputName]['extensionData'][DataName]['config'] extends {
-        optional: true;
-      }
-        ? never
-        : DataName]: TInputs[InputName]['extensionData'][DataName]['T'];
-    } & {
-      [DataName in keyof TInputs[InputName]['extensionData'] as TInputs[InputName]['extensionData'][DataName]['config'] extends {
-        optional: true;
-      }
-        ? DataName
-        : never]?: TInputs[InputName]['extensionData'][DataName]['T'];
-    }
-  >;
-};
-
 // @public (undocumented)
 export type ExtensionDataRef<
   TData,
@@ -283,6 +253,52 @@ export type ExtensionDataRef<
   $$type: '@backstage/ExtensionDataRef';
 };
 
+// @public
+export type ExtensionDataValues<TExtensionData extends AnyExtensionDataMap> = {
+  [DataName in keyof TExtensionData as TExtensionData[DataName]['config'] extends {
+    optional: true;
+  }
+    ? never
+    : DataName]: TExtensionData[DataName]['T'];
+} & {
+  [DataName in keyof TExtensionData as TExtensionData[DataName]['config'] extends {
+    optional: true;
+  }
+    ? DataName
+    : never]?: TExtensionData[DataName]['T'];
+};
+
+// @public (undocumented)
+export interface ExtensionInput<
+  TExtensionData extends AnyExtensionDataMap,
+  TConfig extends {
+    singleton: boolean;
+    optional: boolean;
+  },
+> {
+  // (undocumented)
+  $$type: '@backstage/ExtensionInput';
+  // (undocumented)
+  config: TConfig;
+  // (undocumented)
+  extensionData: TExtensionData;
+}
+
+// @public
+export type ExtensionInputValues<
+  TInputs extends {
+    [name in string]: ExtensionInput<any, any>;
+  },
+> = {
+  [InputName in keyof TInputs]: false extends TInputs[InputName]['config']['singleton']
+    ? Array<Expand<ExtensionDataValues<TInputs[InputName]['extensionData']>>>
+    : false extends TInputs[InputName]['config']['optional']
+    ? Expand<ExtensionDataValues<TInputs[InputName]['extensionData']>>
+    : Expand<
+        ExtensionDataValues<TInputs[InputName]['extensionData']> | undefined
+      >;
+};
+
 // @public (undocumented)
 export type NavTarget = {
   title: string;
diff --git a/packages/frontend-plugin-api/src/extensions/createApiExtension.ts b/packages/frontend-plugin-api/src/extensions/createApiExtension.ts
index f81f07ca72..a142a5af61 100644
--- a/packages/frontend-plugin-api/src/extensions/createApiExtension.ts
+++ b/packages/frontend-plugin-api/src/extensions/createApiExtension.ts
@@ -17,23 +17,23 @@
 import { AnyApiFactory, AnyApiRef } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api';
 import { PortableSchema } from '../schema';
 import {
-  AnyExtensionDataMap,
-  ExtensionDataInputValues,
+  ExtensionInputValues,
   createExtension,
   coreExtensionData,
 } from '../wiring';
+import { AnyExtensionInputMap, Expand } from '../wiring/createExtension';
 
 /** @public */
 export function createApiExtension<
   TConfig extends {},
-  TInputs extends Record<string, { extensionData: AnyExtensionDataMap }>,
+  TInputs extends AnyExtensionInputMap,
 >(
   options: (
     | {
         api: AnyApiRef;
         factory: (options: {
           config: TConfig;
-          inputs: ExtensionDataInputValues<TInputs>;
+          inputs: Expand<ExtensionInputValues<TInputs>>;
         }) => AnyApiFactory;
       }
     | {
diff --git a/packages/frontend-plugin-api/src/extensions/createPageExtension.test.tsx b/packages/frontend-plugin-api/src/extensions/createPageExtension.test.tsx
index 8bca1153bf..7de6ee3253 100644
--- a/packages/frontend-plugin-api/src/extensions/createPageExtension.test.tsx
+++ b/packages/frontend-plugin-api/src/extensions/createPageExtension.test.tsx
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 
 import React from 'react';
 import { PortableSchema } from '../schema';
-import { coreExtensionData } from '../wiring';
+import { coreExtensionData, createExtensionInput } from '../wiring';
 import { createPageExtension } from './createPageExtension';
 
 describe('createPageExtension', () => {
@@ -54,9 +54,9 @@ describe('createPageExtension', () => {
         disabled: true,
         configSchema,
         inputs: {
-          first: {
-            extensionData: { element: coreExtensionData.reactElement },
-          },
+          first: createExtensionInput({
+            element: coreExtensionData.reactElement,
+          }),
         },
         loader: async () => <div />,
       }),
@@ -67,9 +67,9 @@ describe('createPageExtension', () => {
       configSchema: expect.anything(),
       disabled: true,
       inputs: {
-        first: {
-          extensionData: { element: coreExtensionData.reactElement },
-        },
+        first: createExtensionInput({
+          element: coreExtensionData.reactElement,
+        }),
       },
       output: {
         element: expect.anything(),
diff --git a/packages/frontend-plugin-api/src/extensions/createPageExtension.tsx b/packages/frontend-plugin-api/src/extensions/createPageExtension.tsx
index 4c5ff2d8be..5460fb518d 100644
--- a/packages/frontend-plugin-api/src/extensions/createPageExtension.tsx
+++ b/packages/frontend-plugin-api/src/extensions/createPageExtension.tsx
@@ -19,12 +19,12 @@ import React from 'react';
 import { ExtensionBoundary } from '../components';
 import { createSchemaFromZod, PortableSchema } from '../schema';
 import {
-  AnyExtensionDataMap,
   coreExtensionData,
   createExtension,
   Extension,
-  ExtensionDataInputValues,
+  ExtensionInputValues,
 } from '../wiring';
+import { AnyExtensionInputMap, Expand } from '../wiring/createExtension';
 
 /**
  * Helper for creating extensions for a routable React page component.
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ import {
  */
 export function createPageExtension<
   TConfig extends { path: string },
-  TInputs extends Record<string, { extensionData: AnyExtensionDataMap }>,
+  TInputs extends AnyExtensionInputMap,
 >(
   options: (
     | {
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ export function createPageExtension<
     routeRef?: RouteRef;
     loader: (options: {
       config: TConfig;
-      inputs: ExtensionDataInputValues<TInputs>;
+      inputs: Expand<ExtensionInputValues<TInputs>>;
     }) => Promise<JSX.Element>;
   },
 ): Extension<TConfig> {
diff --git a/packages/frontend-plugin-api/src/wiring/createExtension.test.ts b/packages/frontend-plugin-api/src/wiring/createExtension.test.ts
index a992642d61..6f4a21399d 100644
--- a/packages/frontend-plugin-api/src/wiring/createExtension.test.ts
+++ b/packages/frontend-plugin-api/src/wiring/createExtension.test.ts
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 
 import { createExtension } from './createExtension';
 import { createExtensionDataRef } from './createExtensionDataRef';
+import { createExtensionInput } from './createExtensionInput';
 
 const stringData = createExtensionDataRef<string>('string');
 
@@ -95,22 +96,16 @@ describe('createExtension', () => {
       id: 'test',
       at: 'root',
       inputs: {
-        mixed: {
-          extensionData: {
-            required: stringData,
-            optional: stringData.optional(),
-          },
-        },
-        onlyRequired: {
-          extensionData: {
-            required: stringData,
-          },
-        },
-        onlyOptional: {
-          extensionData: {
-            optional: stringData.optional(),
-          },
-        },
+        mixed: createExtensionInput({
+          required: stringData,
+          optional: stringData.optional(),
+        }),
+        onlyRequired: createExtensionInput({
+          required: stringData,
+        }),
+        onlyOptional: createExtensionInput({
+          optional: stringData.optional(),
+        }),
       },
       output: {
         foo: stringData,
diff --git a/packages/frontend-plugin-api/src/wiring/createExtension.ts b/packages/frontend-plugin-api/src/wiring/createExtension.ts
index 1a7e02804e..dd365a87d8 100644
--- a/packages/frontend-plugin-api/src/wiring/createExtension.ts
+++ b/packages/frontend-plugin-api/src/wiring/createExtension.ts
@@ -15,51 +15,68 @@
  */
 
 import { PortableSchema } from '../schema';
+import { ExtensionDataRef } from './createExtensionDataRef';
+import { ExtensionInput } from './createExtensionInput';
 import { BackstagePlugin } from './createPlugin';
-import { AnyExtensionDataMap, Extension } from './types';
 
 /** @public */
-export type ExtensionDataInputValues<
-  TInputs extends { [name in string]: { extensionData: AnyExtensionDataMap } },
-> = {
-  [InputName in keyof TInputs]: Array<
-    {
-      [DataName in keyof TInputs[InputName]['extensionData'] as TInputs[InputName]['extensionData'][DataName]['config'] extends {
-        optional: true;
-      }
-        ? never
-        : DataName]: TInputs[InputName]['extensionData'][DataName]['T'];
-    } & {
-      [DataName in keyof TInputs[InputName]['extensionData'] as TInputs[InputName]['extensionData'][DataName]['config'] extends {
-        optional: true;
-      }
-        ? DataName
-        : never]?: TInputs[InputName]['extensionData'][DataName]['T'];
-    }
-  >;
+export type AnyExtensionDataMap = {
+  [name in string]: ExtensionDataRef<unknown, { optional?: true }>;
 };
 
 /** @public */
-export type ExtensionDataBind<TMap extends AnyExtensionDataMap> = (
-  values: {
-    [DataName in keyof TMap as TMap[DataName]['config'] extends {
-      optional: true;
-    }
-      ? never
-      : DataName]: TMap[DataName]['T'];
-  } & {
-    [DataName in keyof TMap as TMap[DataName]['config'] extends {
-      optional: true;
-    }
-      ? DataName
-      : never]?: TMap[DataName]['T'];
-  },
-) => void;
+export type AnyExtensionInputMap = {
+  [inputName in string]: ExtensionInput<
+    AnyExtensionDataMap,
+    { optional: boolean; singleton: boolean }
+  >;
+};
+
+// TODO(Rugvip): This might be a quite useful utility type, maybe add to @backstage/types?
+/**
+ * Utility type to expand type aliases into their equivalent type.
+ * @ignore
+ */
+export type Expand<T> = T extends infer O ? { [K in keyof O]: O[K] } : never;
+
+/**
+ * Converts an extension data map into the matching concrete data values type.
+ * @public
+ */
+export type ExtensionDataValues<TExtensionData extends AnyExtensionDataMap> = {
+  [DataName in keyof TExtensionData as TExtensionData[DataName]['config'] extends {
+    optional: true;
+  }
+    ? never
+    : DataName]: TExtensionData[DataName]['T'];
+} & {
+  [DataName in keyof TExtensionData as TExtensionData[DataName]['config'] extends {
+    optional: true;
+  }
+    ? DataName
+    : never]?: TExtensionData[DataName]['T'];
+};
+
+/**
+ * Converts an extension input map into the matching concrete input values type.
+ * @public
+ */
+export type ExtensionInputValues<
+  TInputs extends { [name in string]: ExtensionInput<any, any> },
+> = {
+  [InputName in keyof TInputs]: false extends TInputs[InputName]['config']['singleton']
+    ? Array<Expand<ExtensionDataValues<TInputs[InputName]['extensionData']>>>
+    : false extends TInputs[InputName]['config']['optional']
+    ? Expand<ExtensionDataValues<TInputs[InputName]['extensionData']>>
+    : Expand<
+        ExtensionDataValues<TInputs[InputName]['extensionData']> | undefined
+      >;
+};
 
 /** @public */
 export interface CreateExtensionOptions<
   TOutput extends AnyExtensionDataMap,
-  TInputs extends Record<string, { extensionData: AnyExtensionDataMap }>,
+  TInputs extends AnyExtensionInputMap,
   TConfig,
 > {
   id: string;
@@ -70,16 +87,36 @@ export interface CreateExtensionOptions<
   configSchema?: PortableSchema<TConfig>;
   factory(options: {
     source?: BackstagePlugin;
-    bind: ExtensionDataBind<TOutput>;
+    bind(values: Expand<ExtensionDataValues<TOutput>>): void;
     config: TConfig;
-    inputs: ExtensionDataInputValues<TInputs>;
+    inputs: Expand<ExtensionInputValues<TInputs>>;
+  }): void;
+}
+
+/** @public */
+export interface Extension<TConfig> {
+  $$type: '@backstage/Extension';
+  id: string;
+  at: string;
+  disabled: boolean;
+  inputs: AnyExtensionInputMap;
+  output: AnyExtensionDataMap;
+  configSchema?: PortableSchema<TConfig>;
+  factory(options: {
+    source?: BackstagePlugin;
+    bind(values: ExtensionInputValues<any>): void;
+    config: TConfig;
+    inputs: Record<
+      string,
+      undefined | Record<string, unknown> | Array<Record<string, unknown>>
+    >;
   }): void;
 }
 
 /** @public */
 export function createExtension<
   TOutput extends AnyExtensionDataMap,
-  TInputs extends Record<string, { extensionData: AnyExtensionDataMap }>,
+  TInputs extends AnyExtensionInputMap,
   TConfig = never,
 >(
   options: CreateExtensionOptions<TOutput, TInputs, TConfig>,
@@ -94,7 +131,7 @@ export function createExtension<
       return options.factory({
         bind,
         config,
-        inputs: inputs as ExtensionDataInputValues<TInputs>,
+        inputs: inputs as Expand<ExtensionInputValues<TInputs>>,
       });
     },
   };
diff --git a/packages/frontend-plugin-api/src/wiring/createExtensionInput.ts b/packages/frontend-plugin-api/src/wiring/createExtensionInput.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..1fd8fea972
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/frontend-plugin-api/src/wiring/createExtensionInput.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2023 The Backstage Authors
+ *
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
+import { AnyExtensionDataMap } from './createExtension';
+
+/** @public */
+export interface ExtensionInput<
+  TExtensionData extends AnyExtensionDataMap,
+  TConfig extends { singleton: boolean; optional: boolean },
+> {
+  $$type: '@backstage/ExtensionInput';
+  extensionData: TExtensionData;
+  config: TConfig;
+}
+
+/** @public */
+export function createExtensionInput<
+  TExtensionData extends AnyExtensionDataMap,
+  TConfig extends { singleton?: boolean; optional?: boolean },
+>(
+  extensionData: TExtensionData,
+  config?: TConfig,
+): ExtensionInput<
+  TExtensionData,
+  {
+    singleton: TConfig['singleton'] extends true ? true : false;
+    optional: TConfig['optional'] extends true ? true : false;
+  }
+> {
+  return {
+    $$type: '@backstage/ExtensionInput',
+    extensionData,
+    config: {
+      singleton: Boolean(config?.singleton) as TConfig['singleton'] extends true
+        ? true
+        : false,
+      optional: Boolean(config?.optional) as TConfig['optional'] extends true
+        ? true
+        : false,
+    },
+  };
+}
diff --git a/packages/frontend-plugin-api/src/wiring/createPlugin.test.ts b/packages/frontend-plugin-api/src/wiring/createPlugin.test.ts
index 08d07f2226..1d45c221af 100644
--- a/packages/frontend-plugin-api/src/wiring/createPlugin.test.ts
+++ b/packages/frontend-plugin-api/src/wiring/createPlugin.test.ts
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ import { createExtension } from './createExtension';
 import { createExtensionDataRef } from './createExtensionDataRef';
 import { coreExtensionData } from './coreExtensionData';
 import { MockConfigApi } from '@backstage/test-utils';
+import { createExtensionInput } from './createExtensionInput';
 
 const nameExtensionDataRef = createExtensionDataRef<string>('name');
 
@@ -70,11 +71,9 @@ const TechDocsPage = createExtension({
   id: 'plugin.techdocs.page',
   at: 'test.output/names',
   inputs: {
-    addons: {
-      extensionData: {
-        name: nameExtensionDataRef,
-      },
-    },
+    addons: createExtensionInput({
+      name: nameExtensionDataRef,
+    }),
   },
   output: {
     name: nameExtensionDataRef,
@@ -88,11 +87,9 @@ const outputExtension = createExtension({
   id: 'test.output',
   at: 'root',
   inputs: {
-    names: {
-      extensionData: {
-        name: nameExtensionDataRef,
-      },
-    },
+    names: createExtensionInput({
+      name: nameExtensionDataRef,
+    }),
   },
   output: {
     element: coreExtensionData.reactElement,
diff --git a/packages/frontend-plugin-api/src/wiring/createPlugin.ts b/packages/frontend-plugin-api/src/wiring/createPlugin.ts
index bb372f63c1..bd8e9954ef 100644
--- a/packages/frontend-plugin-api/src/wiring/createPlugin.ts
+++ b/packages/frontend-plugin-api/src/wiring/createPlugin.ts
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
  * limitations under the License.
  */
 
-import { Extension } from './types';
+import { Extension } from './createExtension';
 
 /** @public */
 export interface PluginOptions {
diff --git a/packages/frontend-plugin-api/src/wiring/index.ts b/packages/frontend-plugin-api/src/wiring/index.ts
index 4177ffbfcc..b7f0acefd9 100644
--- a/packages/frontend-plugin-api/src/wiring/index.ts
+++ b/packages/frontend-plugin-api/src/wiring/index.ts
@@ -17,10 +17,17 @@
 export { coreExtensionData, type NavTarget } from './coreExtensionData';
 export {
   createExtension,
+  type Extension,
   type CreateExtensionOptions,
-  type ExtensionDataBind,
-  type ExtensionDataInputValues,
+  type ExtensionDataValues,
+  type ExtensionInputValues,
+  type AnyExtensionInputMap,
+  type AnyExtensionDataMap,
 } from './createExtension';
+export {
+  createExtensionInput,
+  type ExtensionInput,
+} from './createExtensionInput';
 export {
   createExtensionDataRef,
   type ExtensionDataRef,
@@ -31,4 +38,3 @@ export {
   type BackstagePlugin,
   type PluginOptions,
 } from './createPlugin';
-export type { AnyExtensionDataMap, Extension } from './types';
diff --git a/packages/frontend-plugin-api/src/wiring/types.ts b/packages/frontend-plugin-api/src/wiring/types.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index 46b76e30f4..0000000000
--- a/packages/frontend-plugin-api/src/wiring/types.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,42 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * Copyright 2023 The Backstage Authors
- *
- * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
- * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
- * You may obtain a copy of the License at
- *
- *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
- *
- * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
- * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
- * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
- * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
- * limitations under the License.
- */
-
-import { PortableSchema } from '../schema';
-import { ExtensionDataBind } from './createExtension';
-import { ExtensionDataRef } from './createExtensionDataRef';
-import { BackstagePlugin } from './createPlugin';
-
-/** @public */
-export type AnyExtensionDataMap = {
-  [name in string]: ExtensionDataRef<any, any>;
-};
-
-/** @public */
-export interface Extension<TConfig> {
-  $$type: '@backstage/Extension';
-  id: string;
-  at: string;
-  disabled: boolean;
-  inputs: Record<string, { extensionData: AnyExtensionDataMap }>;
-  output: AnyExtensionDataMap;
-  configSchema?: PortableSchema<TConfig>;
-  factory(options: {
-    source?: BackstagePlugin;
-    bind: ExtensionDataBind<AnyExtensionDataMap>;
-    config: TConfig;
-    inputs: Record<string, Array<Record<string, unknown>>>;
-  }): void;
-}
diff --git a/plugins/graphiql/src/alpha.tsx b/plugins/graphiql/src/alpha.tsx
index 3d1bf839af..9cd956fc1a 100644
--- a/plugins/graphiql/src/alpha.tsx
+++ b/plugins/graphiql/src/alpha.tsx
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ import {
   createApiExtension,
   createExtension,
   createExtensionDataRef,
+  createExtensionInput,
   createNavItemExtension,
   createPageExtension,
   createPlugin,
@@ -64,11 +65,9 @@ const endpointDataRef = createExtensionDataRef<GraphQLEndpoint>(
 export const graphiqlBrowseApi = createApiExtension({
   api: graphQlBrowseApiRef, // apis.plugin.graphiql.browse
   inputs: {
-    endpoints: {
-      extensionData: {
-        endpoint: endpointDataRef,
-      },
-    },
+    endpoints: createExtensionInput({
+      endpoint: endpointDataRef,
+    }),
   },
   factory({ inputs }) {
     return createApiFactory(