diff --git a/packages/core-app-api/src/app/AppManager.test.tsx b/packages/core-app-api/src/app/AppManager.test.tsx
index 467145acfc..1b518ad0a4 100644
--- a/packages/core-app-api/src/app/AppManager.test.tsx
+++ b/packages/core-app-api/src/app/AppManager.test.tsx
@@ -34,6 +34,8 @@ import {
   createSubRouteRef,
   createRoutableExtension,
   analyticsApiRef,
+  createMetadataRef,
+  useMetadata,
 } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api';
 import { AppManager } from './AppManager';
 import { AppComponents, AppIcons } from './types';
@@ -165,6 +167,179 @@ describe('Integration Test', () => {
 
   const icons = {} as AppIcons;
 
+  it('should be possible to define customizable values via metadata', async () => {
+    type CustomPluginMetadataProps = {
+      pluginLabel: string;
+    };
+
+    const customPluginMetadataRef =
+      createMetadataRef<CustomPluginMetadataProps>({
+        id: 'custom.plugin.provider',
+      });
+
+    const customPluginMetadata = {
+      [customPluginMetadataRef.id]: {
+        pluginLabel: 'Default Label',
+      },
+    };
+
+    const extRouteCustomRef = createExternalRouteRef({
+      id: 'extRouteCustomRef',
+      params: ['x'],
+    });
+
+    const customPlugin = createPlugin({
+      id: 'custom-plugin',
+      externalRoutes: {
+        extRouteCustomRef,
+      },
+      metadata: [customPluginMetadata],
+    });
+
+    const customPluginRef = createRouteRef({ id: 'custom-ref', params: ['x'] });
+
+    const CustomPlugin = () => {
+      const { pluginLabel } = useMetadata<CustomPluginMetadataProps>(
+        customPluginMetadataRef,
+      );
+
+      return (
+        <>
+          <div data-testid="plugin-label">{pluginLabel}</div>
+        </>
+      );
+    };
+
+    const CustomComponent = customPlugin.provide(
+      createRoutableExtension({
+        name: 'CustomComponent',
+        component: () => Promise.resolve(() => <CustomPlugin />),
+        mountPoint: customPluginRef,
+      }),
+    );
+
+    const app = new AppManager({
+      apis: [],
+      defaultApis: [],
+      themes: [],
+      icons,
+      plugins: [customPlugin],
+      components,
+      configLoader: async () => [],
+      bindRoutes: ({ bind }) => {
+        bind(customPlugin.externalRoutes, {
+          extRouteCustomRef: customPluginRef,
+        });
+      },
+    });
+
+    const Provider = app.getProvider();
+    const Router = app.getRouter();
+
+    await renderWithEffects(
+      <Provider>
+        <Router>
+          <Routes>
+            <Route path="/" element={<CustomComponent />} />
+          </Routes>
+        </Router>
+      </Provider>,
+    );
+
+    expect(await screen.getByText('Default Label')).toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
+
+  it('should be possible to reconfigure customizable values via metadata', async () => {
+    type CustomPluginMetadataProps = {
+      pluginLabel: string;
+    };
+
+    const customPluginMetadataRef =
+      createMetadataRef<CustomPluginMetadataProps>({
+        id: 'custom.plugin.provider',
+      });
+
+    const customPluginMetadata = {
+      [customPluginMetadataRef.id]: {
+        pluginLabel: 'Default Label',
+      },
+    };
+
+    const extRouteCustomRef = createExternalRouteRef({
+      id: 'extRouteCustomRef',
+      params: ['x'],
+    });
+
+    const customPlugin = createPlugin({
+      id: 'custom-plugin',
+      externalRoutes: {
+        extRouteCustomRef,
+      },
+      metadata: [customPluginMetadata],
+    });
+
+    customPlugin.reconfigure({
+      [customPluginMetadataRef.id]: {
+        pluginLabel: 'Custom Label',
+      },
+    });
+
+    const customPluginRef = createRouteRef({
+      id: 'custom-ref-2',
+      params: ['x'],
+    });
+
+    const RedefinedCustom = () => {
+      const { pluginLabel } = useMetadata<CustomPluginMetadataProps>(
+        customPluginMetadataRef,
+      );
+
+      return (
+        <>
+          <div data-testid="plugin-label">{pluginLabel}</div>
+        </>
+      );
+    };
+
+    const RedefinedCustomPlugin = customPlugin.provide(
+      createRoutableExtension({
+        name: 'RedefinedCustomPlugin',
+        component: () => Promise.resolve(() => <RedefinedCustom />),
+        mountPoint: customPluginRef,
+      }),
+    );
+
+    const app = new AppManager({
+      apis: [],
+      defaultApis: [],
+      themes: [],
+      icons,
+      plugins: [customPlugin],
+      components,
+      configLoader: async () => [],
+      bindRoutes: ({ bind }) => {
+        bind(customPlugin.externalRoutes, {
+          extRouteCustomRef: customPluginRef,
+        });
+      },
+    });
+
+    const Provider = app.getProvider();
+    const Router = app.getRouter();
+
+    await renderWithEffects(
+      <Provider>
+        <Router>
+          <Routes>
+            <Route path="/" element={<RedefinedCustomPlugin />} />
+          </Routes>
+        </Router>
+      </Provider>,
+    );
+
+    expect(screen.getByText('Custom Label')).toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
+
   it('runs happy paths', async () => {
     const app = new AppManager({
       apis: [noOpAnalyticsApi],
diff --git a/packages/core-app-api/src/app/AppManager.tsx b/packages/core-app-api/src/app/AppManager.tsx
index 75bab5c2df..20b8161a8b 100644
--- a/packages/core-app-api/src/app/AppManager.tsx
+++ b/packages/core-app-api/src/app/AppManager.tsx
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ import {
   IdentityApi,
   identityApiRef,
   BackstagePlugin,
+  MetadataHolder,
 } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api';
 import { ApiFactoryRegistry, ApiResolver } from '../apis/system';
 import {
@@ -80,6 +81,7 @@ import { defaultConfigLoader } from './defaultConfigLoader';
 import { ApiRegistry } from '../apis/system/ApiRegistry';
 import { resolveRouteBindings } from './resolveRouteBindings';
 import { BackstageRouteObject } from '../routing/types';
+import { MetadataProvider, MetadataRegistry } from '../metadata';
 
 type CompatiblePlugin =
   | BackstagePlugin<any, any>
@@ -173,6 +175,7 @@ export class AppManager implements BackstageApp {
 
   private readonly appIdentityProxy = new AppIdentityProxy();
   private readonly apiFactoryRegistry: ApiFactoryRegistry;
+  private readonly metadataRegistry: MetadataRegistry;
 
   constructor(options: AppOptions) {
     this.apis = options.apis ?? [];
@@ -184,6 +187,7 @@ export class AppManager implements BackstageApp {
     this.defaultApis = options.defaultApis ?? [];
     this.bindRoutes = options.bindRoutes;
     this.apiFactoryRegistry = new ApiFactoryRegistry();
+    this.metadataRegistry = new MetadataRegistry();
   }
 
   getPlugins(): BackstagePlugin<any, any>[] {
@@ -298,23 +302,25 @@ export class AppManager implements BackstageApp {
 
       return (
         <ApiProvider apis={this.getApiHolder()}>
-          <AppContextProvider appContext={appContext}>
-            <ThemeProvider>
-              <RoutingProvider
-                routePaths={routing.paths}
-                routeParents={routing.parents}
-                routeObjects={routing.objects}
-                routeBindings={routeBindings}
-                basePath={getBasePath(loadedConfig.api)}
-              >
-                <InternalAppContext.Provider
-                  value={{ routeObjects: routing.objects }}
+          <MetadataProvider metadata={this.getMetadataHolder()}>
+            <AppContextProvider appContext={appContext}>
+              <ThemeProvider>
+                <RoutingProvider
+                  routePaths={routing.paths}
+                  routeParents={routing.parents}
+                  routeObjects={routing.objects}
+                  routeBindings={routeBindings}
+                  basePath={getBasePath(loadedConfig.api)}
                 >
-                  {children}
-                </InternalAppContext.Provider>
-              </RoutingProvider>
-            </ThemeProvider>
-          </AppContextProvider>
+                  <InternalAppContext.Provider
+                    value={{ routeObjects: routing.objects }}
+                  >
+                    {children}
+                  </InternalAppContext.Provider>
+                </RoutingProvider>
+              </ThemeProvider>
+            </AppContextProvider>
+          </MetadataProvider>
         </ApiProvider>
       );
     };
@@ -395,6 +401,22 @@ export class AppManager implements BackstageApp {
     return AppRouter;
   }
 
+  private getMetadataHolder(): MetadataHolder {
+    for (const plugin of this.plugins) {
+      if (plugin.getMetadata) {
+        for (const entry of plugin.getMetadata()) {
+          for (const entryKey in entry) {
+            if (entry.hasOwnProperty(entryKey)) {
+              this.metadataRegistry.register(entryKey, entry[entryKey]);
+            }
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    }
+
+    return this.metadataRegistry;
+  }
+
   private getApiHolder(): ApiHolder {
     if (this.apiHolder) {
       // Register additional plugins if they have been added.
diff --git a/packages/core-app-api/src/index.ts b/packages/core-app-api/src/index.ts
index a5e6b649e9..d7b24dbf28 100644
--- a/packages/core-app-api/src/index.ts
+++ b/packages/core-app-api/src/index.ts
@@ -21,5 +21,6 @@
  */
 
 export * from './apis';
+export * from './metadata';
 export * from './app';
 export * from './routing';
diff --git a/packages/core-app-api/src/metadata/index.ts b/packages/core-app-api/src/metadata/index.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..59aa474fee
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/core-app-api/src/metadata/index.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2020 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.
+ */
+
+export * from './system';
diff --git a/packages/core-app-api/src/metadata/system/MetadataAggregator.test.ts b/packages/core-app-api/src/metadata/system/MetadataAggregator.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ba6aa05c6f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/core-app-api/src/metadata/system/MetadataAggregator.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2020 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 { createMetadataRef } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api';
+import { MetadataAggregator } from './MetadataAggregator';
+import { MetadataRegistry } from './MetadataRegistry';
+
+describe('MetadataAggregator', () => {
+  const apiARef = createMetadataRef<number>({ id: '1' });
+  const apiBRef = createMetadataRef<number>({ id: '2' });
+
+  it('should forward implementations', () => {
+    const holder1 = new MetadataRegistry();
+    holder1.register(apiARef.id, { label: 'label 1' });
+    const holder2 = new MetadataRegistry();
+    holder2.register(apiBRef.id, { label: 'label 2' });
+
+    const agg = new MetadataAggregator(holder1, holder2);
+    expect(agg.get(apiARef)).toEqual({ label: 'label 1' });
+    expect(agg.get(apiBRef)).toEqual({ label: 'label 2' });
+  });
+
+  it('should return the first implementation', () => {
+    const holder1 = new MetadataRegistry();
+    holder1.register(apiARef.id, { label: 'label 1' });
+    const holder2 = new MetadataRegistry();
+    holder2.register(apiARef.id, { label: 'label 2' });
+
+    const agg = new MetadataAggregator(holder1, holder2);
+    expect(agg.get(apiARef)).toEqual({ label: 'label 1' });
+  });
+});
diff --git a/packages/core-app-api/src/metadata/system/MetadataAggregator.ts b/packages/core-app-api/src/metadata/system/MetadataAggregator.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ebc26961c1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/core-app-api/src/metadata/system/MetadataAggregator.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2020 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 { MetadataRef, MetadataHolder } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api';
+
+/**
+ * An MetadataHolder that queries multiple other holders from for
+ * an metadata implementation, returning the first one encountered..
+ */
+export class MetadataAggregator implements MetadataHolder {
+  private readonly holders: MetadataHolder[];
+
+  constructor(...holders: MetadataHolder[]) {
+    this.holders = holders;
+  }
+
+  get<T>(ref: MetadataRef<T>): T | undefined {
+    for (const holder of this.holders) {
+      const metadata = holder.get(ref);
+      if (metadata) {
+        return metadata;
+      }
+    }
+    return undefined;
+  }
+}
diff --git a/packages/core-app-api/src/metadata/system/MetadataProvider.test.tsx b/packages/core-app-api/src/metadata/system/MetadataProvider.test.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..dfbd96eb31
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/core-app-api/src/metadata/system/MetadataProvider.test.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,129 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2020 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 React from 'react';
+import {
+  useMetadata,
+  createMetadataRef,
+  MetadataRef,
+  MetadataHolder,
+} from '@backstage/core-plugin-api';
+import { MetadataProvider } from './MetadataProvider';
+import { MetadataRegistry } from './MetadataRegistry';
+import { render } from '@testing-library/react';
+import { withLogCollector } from '@backstage/test-utils';
+import { useVersionedContext } from '@backstage/version-bridge';
+
+describe('MetadataProvider', () => {
+  type Metadata = () => string;
+  const metadataRef = createMetadataRef<Metadata>({ id: 'x' });
+
+  const MyHookConsumer = () => {
+    const payload = useMetadata(metadataRef);
+    return <p>hook message: {payload}</p>;
+  };
+
+  it('should provide apis', () => {
+    const renderedHook = render(
+      <MetadataProvider
+        metadata={MetadataRegistry.from([[metadataRef, 'hello']])}
+      >
+        <MyHookConsumer />
+      </MetadataProvider>,
+    );
+    renderedHook.getByText('hook message: hello');
+  });
+
+  it('should provide nested access to apis', () => {
+    const aRef = createMetadataRef<string>({ id: 'a' });
+    const bRef = createMetadataRef<string>({ id: 'b' });
+
+    const MyComponent = () => {
+      const a = useMetadata(aRef);
+      const b = useMetadata(bRef);
+      return (
+        <div>
+          a={a} b={b}
+        </div>
+      );
+    };
+
+    const renderedHook = render(
+      <MetadataProvider
+        metadata={MetadataRegistry.from([
+          [aRef, 'x'],
+          [bRef, 'y'],
+        ])}
+      >
+        <MetadataProvider metadata={MetadataRegistry.from([[aRef, 'z']])}>
+          <MyComponent />
+        </MetadataProvider>
+      </MetadataProvider>,
+    );
+    renderedHook.getByText('a=z b=y');
+  });
+
+  it('should error if metadata is not available', () => {
+    expect(
+      withLogCollector(['error'], () => {
+        expect(() => {
+          render(
+            <MetadataProvider metadata={MetadataRegistry.from([])}>
+              <MyHookConsumer />
+            </MetadataProvider>,
+          );
+        }).toThrow('No implementation available for metadataRef{x}');
+      }).error,
+    ).toEqual([
+      expect.stringMatching(
+        /^Error: Uncaught \[Error: No implementation available for metadataRef{x}\]/,
+      ),
+      expect.stringMatching(
+        /^The above error occurred in the <MyHookConsumer> component/,
+      ),
+    ]);
+  });
+});
+
+describe('v1 consumer', () => {
+  function useMockApiV1<T>(apiRef: MetadataRef<T>): T {
+    const impl = useVersionedContext<{ 1: MetadataHolder }>('metadata-context')
+      ?.atVersion(1)
+      ?.get(apiRef);
+    if (!impl) {
+      throw new Error('no impl');
+    }
+    return impl;
+  }
+
+  type Api = () => string;
+  const apiRef = createMetadataRef<Api>({ id: 'x' });
+  const registry = MetadataRegistry.from([[apiRef, () => 'hello']]);
+
+  const MyHookConsumerV1 = () => {
+    const api = useMockApiV1(apiRef);
+    return <p>hook message: {api()}</p>;
+  };
+
+  it('should provide apis', () => {
+    const renderedHook = render(
+      <MetadataProvider metadata={registry}>
+        <MyHookConsumerV1 />
+      </MetadataProvider>,
+    );
+    renderedHook.getByText('hook message: hello');
+  });
+});
diff --git a/packages/core-app-api/src/metadata/system/MetadataProvider.tsx b/packages/core-app-api/src/metadata/system/MetadataProvider.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..a072f0a84a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/core-app-api/src/metadata/system/MetadataProvider.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2020 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 React, { useContext, ReactNode, PropsWithChildren } from 'react';
+import PropTypes from 'prop-types';
+import { MetadataHolder } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api';
+import {
+  createVersionedValueMap,
+  createVersionedContext,
+} from '@backstage/version-bridge';
+import { MetadataAggregator } from './MetadataAggregator';
+
+/**
+ * Prop types for the MetadataProvider component.
+ *
+ * @public
+ */
+export type MetadataProviderProps = {
+  metadata: MetadataHolder;
+  children: ReactNode;
+};
+
+const MetadataContext = createVersionedContext<{ 1: MetadataHolder }>(
+  'metadata-context',
+);
+
+/**
+ * Provides an {@link @backstage/core-plugin-api#MetadataHolder} for consumption in
+ * the React tree.
+ *
+ * @public
+ */
+export const MetadataProvider = (
+  props: PropsWithChildren<MetadataProviderProps>,
+) => {
+  const { children, metadata } = props;
+  const parentHolder = useContext(MetadataContext)?.atVersion(1);
+  const holder = parentHolder
+    ? new MetadataAggregator(metadata, parentHolder)
+    : metadata;
+
+  return (
+    <MetadataContext.Provider
+      value={createVersionedValueMap({ 1: holder })}
+      children={children}
+    />
+  );
+};
+
+MetadataProvider.propTypes = {
+  metadata: PropTypes.shape({ get: PropTypes.func.isRequired }).isRequired,
+  children: PropTypes.node,
+};
diff --git a/packages/core-app-api/src/metadata/system/MetadataRegistry.test.ts b/packages/core-app-api/src/metadata/system/MetadataRegistry.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..4acac8565a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/core-app-api/src/metadata/system/MetadataRegistry.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2020 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 { createMetadataRef } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api';
+import { MetadataRegistry } from './MetadataRegistry';
+
+describe('MetadataRegistry', () => {
+  const x1Ref = createMetadataRef<number>({ id: 'x1' });
+  const x1DuplicateRef = createMetadataRef<number>({ id: 'x1' });
+  const x2Ref = createMetadataRef<string>({ id: 'x2' });
+
+  it('should be created', () => {
+    const registry = MetadataRegistry.from([]);
+    expect(registry.get(x1Ref)).toBe(undefined);
+  });
+
+  it('should be created with metadata', () => {
+    const registry = MetadataRegistry.from([
+      [x1Ref, 3],
+      [x2Ref, 'y'],
+    ]);
+    expect(registry.get(x1Ref)).toBe(3);
+    expect(registry.get(x1DuplicateRef)).toBe(3);
+    expect(registry.get(x2Ref)).toBe('y');
+  });
+});
diff --git a/packages/core-app-api/src/metadata/system/MetadataRegistry.ts b/packages/core-app-api/src/metadata/system/MetadataRegistry.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..053a52b5f6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/core-app-api/src/metadata/system/MetadataRegistry.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2020 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 { MetadataRef, MetadataHolder } from '@backstage/core-plugin-api';
+
+type MetadataImpl<T = unknown> = readonly [MetadataRef<T>, T];
+
+export class MetadataRegistry implements MetadataHolder {
+  private readonly registry = new Map<string, any>();
+
+  register(id: string, payload: any): boolean {
+    this.registry.set(id, payload);
+    return true;
+  }
+
+  get<T>(ref: MetadataRef<T>): T | undefined {
+    return this.registry.get(ref.id);
+  }
+
+  static from(entries: MetadataImpl[]) {
+    const registry = new MetadataRegistry();
+    for (const entry of entries) {
+      registry.register(entry[0].id, entry[1]);
+    }
+    return registry;
+  }
+}
diff --git a/packages/core-app-api/src/metadata/system/index.ts b/packages/core-app-api/src/metadata/system/index.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..faa7c814c8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/core-app-api/src/metadata/system/index.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2020 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.
+ */
+
+export { MetadataRegistry } from './MetadataRegistry';
+export { MetadataProvider } from './MetadataProvider';
+export { MetadataAggregator } from './MetadataAggregator';
diff --git a/packages/core-plugin-api/src/extensions/extensions.test.tsx b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/extensions/extensions.test.tsx
index 28d84cae3e..dcc92d9d47 100644
--- a/packages/core-plugin-api/src/extensions/extensions.test.tsx
+++ b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/extensions/extensions.test.tsx
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ import { render, screen } from '@testing-library/react';
 import React from 'react';
 import { useAnalyticsContext } from '../analytics/AnalyticsContext';
 import { useApp, ErrorBoundaryFallbackProps } from '../app';
-import { AnyMetadata, createPlugin } from '../plugin';
+import { createPlugin } from '../plugin';
 import { createRouteRef } from '../routing';
 import { getComponentData } from './componentData';
 import {
@@ -36,20 +36,6 @@ const plugin = createPlugin({
   id: 'my-plugin',
 });
 
-type Props = {
-  metadata?: AnyMetadata;
-};
-
-const customPlugin = createPlugin({
-  id: 'custom-plugin',
-  metadata: {
-    pluginLabel: 'initial label',
-    table: {
-      tableHeader: 'table header',
-    },
-  },
-});
-
 describe('extensions', () => {
   it('should create a react extension with component data', () => {
     const Component = () => <div />;
@@ -153,62 +139,4 @@ describe('extensions', () => {
     expect(result.getByTestId('route-ref')).toHaveTextContent('some-ref');
     expect(result.getByTestId('extension')).toHaveTextContent('AnalyticsSpy');
   });
-
-  it('should allow for the plugin to define default labels via metadata', async () => {
-    const CustomPluginExtension = customPlugin.provide(
-      createReactExtension({
-        name: 'CustomPlugin',
-        component: {
-          sync: (props: Props) => {
-            return (
-              <>
-                <div data-testid="plugin-label">
-                  {props.metadata?.pluginLabel}
-                </div>
-              </>
-            );
-          },
-        },
-      }),
-    );
-
-    const initialComponent = render(<CustomPluginExtension />);
-    expect(initialComponent.getByTestId('plugin-label')).toHaveTextContent(
-      'initial label',
-    );
-  });
-
-  it('should allow for the plugin to redefine default labels', async () => {
-    customPlugin.reconfigure({
-      pluginLabel: 'new label',
-    } as any);
-
-    const CustomPluginExtension = customPlugin.provide(
-      createReactExtension({
-        name: 'CustomPlugin',
-        component: {
-          sync: (props: Props) => {
-            return (
-              <>
-                <div data-testid="plugin-label">
-                  {props.metadata?.pluginLabel}
-                  <div data-testid="plugin-table-summary">
-                    <h3>{props.metadata?.table.tableHeader}</h3>
-                  </div>
-                </div>
-              </>
-            );
-          },
-        },
-      }),
-    );
-
-    const updatedComponent = render(<CustomPluginExtension />);
-    expect(updatedComponent.getByTestId('plugin-label')).toHaveTextContent(
-      'new label',
-    );
-    expect(
-      updatedComponent.getByTestId('plugin-table-summary'),
-    ).toHaveTextContent('table header');
-  });
 });
diff --git a/packages/core-plugin-api/src/extensions/extensions.tsx b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/extensions/extensions.tsx
index 8f1efe3b65..19da082ee1 100644
--- a/packages/core-plugin-api/src/extensions/extensions.tsx
+++ b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/extensions/extensions.tsx
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ export function createReactExtension<
                   ...(mountPoint && { routeRef: mountPoint.id }),
                 }}
               >
-                <Component {...{ ...props, metadata: plugin.getMetadata() }} />
+                <Component {...props} />
               </AnalyticsContext>
             </PluginErrorBoundary>
           </Suspense>
diff --git a/packages/core-plugin-api/src/index.ts b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/index.ts
index 30fc35b62a..172f00295b 100644
--- a/packages/core-plugin-api/src/index.ts
+++ b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/index.ts
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 
 export * from './analytics';
 export * from './apis';
+export * from './metadata';
 export * from './app';
 export * from './extensions';
 export * from './icons';
diff --git a/packages/core-plugin-api/src/metadata/MetadataRef.ts b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/metadata/MetadataRef.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f261fb5352
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/metadata/MetadataRef.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2020 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 type { MetadataRef } from './types';
+
+export type MetadataRefConfig = {
+  id: string;
+};
+
+class MetadataRefImpl<T> implements MetadataRef<T> {
+  constructor(private readonly config: MetadataRefConfig) {}
+
+  get id(): string {
+    return this.config.id;
+  }
+
+  get T(): T {
+    throw new Error(`tried to read MetadataRef.T of ${this}`);
+  }
+
+  toString() {
+    return `metadataRef{${this.config.id}}`;
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Creates a reference to a metadata.
+ *
+ * @param config - The descriptor of the metadata to reference.
+ * @returns A metadata reference.
+ * @public
+ */
+export function createMetadataRef<T>(
+  config: MetadataRefConfig,
+): MetadataRef<T> {
+  return new MetadataRefImpl<T>(config);
+}
diff --git a/packages/core-plugin-api/src/metadata/index.ts b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/metadata/index.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..29d5532edd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/metadata/index.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2020 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.
+ */
+
+export { useMetadata, useMetadataHolder } from './useMetadata';
+export { createMetadataRef } from './MetadataRef';
+export * from './types';
diff --git a/packages/core-plugin-api/src/metadata/types.ts b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/metadata/types.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..5b721b5b55
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/metadata/types.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2020 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.
+ */
+
+/**
+ * Metadata reference.
+ *
+ * @public
+ */
+export type MetadataRef<T> = {
+  id: string;
+  T: T;
+};
+
+/**
+ * Provides lookup of metadata through their {@link MetadataRef}s.
+ *
+ * @public
+ */
+export type MetadataHolder = {
+  get<T>(key: MetadataRef<T>): T | undefined;
+};
diff --git a/packages/core-plugin-api/src/metadata/useMetadata.tsx b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/metadata/useMetadata.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..99ce68f1e4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/metadata/useMetadata.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2020 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 { MetadataHolder, MetadataRef } from './types';
+import { useVersionedContext } from '@backstage/version-bridge';
+
+/**
+ * React hook for retrieving {@link MetadataHolder}
+ *
+ * @public
+ */
+export function useMetadataHolder(): MetadataHolder {
+  const versionedHolder = useVersionedContext<{ 1: MetadataHolder }>(
+    'metadata-context',
+  );
+  if (!versionedHolder) {
+    throw new Error('Metadata context is not available');
+  }
+
+  const metadataHolder = versionedHolder.atVersion(1);
+  if (!metadataHolder) {
+    throw new Error('Metadata context v1 not available');
+  }
+  return metadataHolder;
+}
+
+/**
+ * React hook for retrieving metadata.
+ *
+ * @param metadataRef - Reference of the metadata to use.
+ * @public
+ */
+export function useMetadata<T>(metadataRef: MetadataRef<T>): T {
+  const metadataHolder = useMetadataHolder();
+
+  const metadata = metadataHolder.get(metadataRef);
+  if (!metadata) {
+    throw new Error(`No implementation available for ${metadataRef}`);
+  }
+  return metadata;
+}
diff --git a/packages/core-plugin-api/src/plugin/Plugin.test.tsx b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/plugin/Plugin.test.tsx
index 26c704517f..b66235e210 100644
--- a/packages/core-plugin-api/src/plugin/Plugin.test.tsx
+++ b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/plugin/Plugin.test.tsx
@@ -32,35 +32,3 @@ describe('Plugin Feature Flag', () => {
     ).toEqual([]);
   });
 });
-
-describe('Plugin metadata', () => {
-  it('should be able to define metadata', () => {
-    expect(
-      createPlugin({
-        id: 'test',
-        metadata: {
-          key: 'value',
-        },
-      }).getMetadata(),
-    ).toEqual({
-      key: 'value',
-    });
-  });
-
-  it('should be able to reconfigure metadata', () => {
-    const plugin = createPlugin({
-      id: 'test',
-      metadata: {
-        key: 'original-value',
-      },
-    });
-
-    plugin.reconfigure({
-      key: 'modified-value',
-    });
-
-    expect(plugin.getMetadata()).toEqual({
-      key: 'modified-value',
-    });
-  });
-});
diff --git a/packages/core-plugin-api/src/plugin/Plugin.tsx b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/plugin/Plugin.tsx
index 29eacde6ae..999d154166 100644
--- a/packages/core-plugin-api/src/plugin/Plugin.tsx
+++ b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/plugin/Plugin.tsx
@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@ import {
   AnyMetadata,
   PluginFeatureFlagConfig,
 } from './types';
-import { merge } from 'lodash';
 import { AnyApiFactory } from '../apis';
 
 /**
@@ -43,6 +42,8 @@ export class PluginImpl<
     >,
   ) {}
 
+  private reconfiguredMetadata: Array<PluginMetadata> = [];
+
   getId(): string {
     return this.config.id;
   }
@@ -55,8 +56,11 @@ export class PluginImpl<
     return this.config.featureFlags?.slice() ?? [];
   }
 
-  getMetadata(): PluginMetadata {
-    return this.config.metadata ?? ({} as PluginMetadata);
+  getMetadata(): Iterable<PluginMetadata> {
+    return [
+      ...Array.from(this.config.metadata ?? []),
+      ...this.reconfiguredMetadata,
+    ];
   }
 
   get routes(): Routes {
@@ -71,9 +75,8 @@ export class PluginImpl<
     return extension.expose(this);
   }
 
-  reconfigure(metadata: PluginMetadata): BackstagePlugin {
-    this.config.metadata = merge(this.config.metadata, metadata);
-    return this;
+  reconfigure(metadata: PluginMetadata): void {
+    this.reconfiguredMetadata.push(metadata);
   }
 
   toString() {
diff --git a/packages/core-plugin-api/src/plugin/types.ts b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/plugin/types.ts
index a640013c47..8aadac36bc 100644
--- a/packages/core-plugin-api/src/plugin/types.ts
+++ b/packages/core-plugin-api/src/plugin/types.ts
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ export type AnyMetadata = { [name: string]: any };
 export type BackstagePlugin<
   Routes extends AnyRoutes = {},
   ExternalRoutes extends AnyExternalRoutes = {},
-  PluginMetadata extends AnyMetadata = {},
+  PluginMetadata extends AnyMetadata = { [name: string]: any },
 > = {
   getId(): string;
   getApis(): Iterable<AnyApiFactory>;
@@ -67,9 +67,9 @@ export type BackstagePlugin<
    * Returns all registered feature flags for this plugin.
    */
   getFeatureFlags(): Iterable<PluginFeatureFlagConfig>;
-  getMetadata(): PluginMetadata;
+  getMetadata(): Iterable<PluginMetadata>;
   provide<T>(extension: Extension<T>): T;
-  reconfigure(metadata: PluginMetadata): BackstagePlugin;
+  reconfigure(metadata: PluginMetadata): void;
   routes: Routes;
   externalRoutes: ExternalRoutes;
 };
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ export type PluginConfig<
   routes?: Routes;
   externalRoutes?: ExternalRoutes;
   featureFlags?: PluginFeatureFlagConfig[];
-  metadata?: PluginMetadata;
+  metadata?: Iterable<PluginMetadata>;
 };
 
 /**