diff --git a/interface/CMakeLists.txt b/interface/CMakeLists.txt
index ae84705da3..cf5a2b60ad 100644
--- a/interface/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/interface/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ link_hifi_libraries(shared octree gpu gl gpu-gl procedural model render
                     recording fbx networking model-networking entities avatars
                     audio audio-client animation script-engine physics
                     render-utils entities-renderer ui auto-updater
-                    controllers plugins display-plugins input-plugins steamworks-wrapper)
+                    controllers plugins ui-plugins display-plugins input-plugins steamworks-wrapper)
 
 # include the binary directory of render-utils for shader includes
 target_include_directories(${TARGET_NAME} PRIVATE "${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}/libraries/render-utils")
diff --git a/interface/src/Application.cpp b/interface/src/Application.cpp
index 9bcd85fd02..babcd877c4 100644
--- a/interface/src/Application.cpp
+++ b/interface/src/Application.cpp
@@ -83,7 +83,6 @@
 #include <PerfStat.h>
 #include <PhysicsEngine.h>
 #include <PhysicsHelpers.h>
-#include <plugins/PluginContainer.h>
 #include <plugins/PluginManager.h>
 #include <RenderableWebEntityItem.h>
 #include <RenderShadowTask.h>
@@ -119,7 +118,6 @@
 #include "InterfaceLogging.h"
 #include "LODManager.h"
 #include "ModelPackager.h"
-#include "PluginContainerProxy.h"
 #include "scripting/AccountScriptingInterface.h"
 #include "scripting/AssetMappingsScriptingInterface.h"
 #include "scripting/AudioDeviceScriptingInterface.h"
@@ -464,7 +462,6 @@ bool setupEssentials(int& argc, char** argv) {
 // continuing to overburden Application.cpp
 Cube3DOverlay* _keyboardFocusHighlight{ nullptr };
 int _keyboardFocusHighlightID{ -1 };
-PluginContainer* _pluginContainer;
 
 
 // FIXME hack access to the internal share context for the Chromium helper
@@ -504,6 +501,11 @@ Application::Application(int& argc, char** argv, QElapsedTimer& startupTimer) :
     _maxOctreePPS(maxOctreePacketsPerSecond.get()),
     _lastFaceTrackerUpdate(0)
 {
+
+
+    PluginContainer* pluginContainer = dynamic_cast<PluginContainer*>(this); // set the container for any plugins that care
+    PluginManager::getInstance()->setContainer(pluginContainer);
+
     // FIXME this may be excessively conservative.  On the other hand
     // maybe I'm used to having an 8-core machine
     // Perhaps find the ideal thread count  and subtract 2 or 3
@@ -521,7 +523,6 @@ Application::Application(int& argc, char** argv, QElapsedTimer& startupTimer) :
 
     _entityClipboard->createRootElement();
 
-    _pluginContainer = new PluginContainerProxy();
 #ifdef Q_OS_WIN
     installNativeEventFilter(&MyNativeEventFilter::getInstance());
 #endif
@@ -2035,9 +2036,9 @@ void Application::keyPressEvent(QKeyEvent* event) {
             case Qt::Key_Return:
                 if (isOption) {
                     if (_window->isFullScreen()) {
-                        _pluginContainer->unsetFullscreen();
+                        unsetFullscreen();
                     } else {
-                        _pluginContainer->setFullscreen(nullptr);
+                        setFullscreen(nullptr);
                     }
                 } else {
                     Menu::getInstance()->triggerOption(MenuOption::AddressBar);
@@ -2951,9 +2952,10 @@ void Application::loadSettings() {
     //DependencyManager::get<LODManager>()->setAutomaticLODAdjust(false);
 
     Menu::getInstance()->loadSettings();
-
     // If there is a preferred plugin, we probably messed it up with the menu settings, so fix it.
     auto pluginManager = PluginManager::getInstance();
+
+
     auto plugins = pluginManager->getPreferredDisplayPlugins();
     for (auto plugin : plugins) {
         auto menu = Menu::getInstance();
@@ -5190,6 +5192,7 @@ void Application::updateDisplayMode() {
         // FIXME probably excessive and useless context switching
         _offscreenContext->makeCurrent();
 
+        qDebug() << "Application::updateDisplayMode()... line:" << __LINE__ << "about to call newDisplayPlugin->activate()";
         bool active = newDisplayPlugin->activate();
 
         if (!active) {
@@ -5308,3 +5311,49 @@ void Application::showDesktop() {
 CompositorHelper& Application::getApplicationCompositor() const {
     return *DependencyManager::get<CompositorHelper>();
 }
+
+
+// virtual functions required for PluginContainer
+ui::Menu* Application::getPrimaryMenu() {
+    auto appMenu = _window->menuBar();
+    auto uiMenu = dynamic_cast<ui::Menu*>(appMenu);
+    return uiMenu;
+}
+
+void Application::showDisplayPluginsTools(bool show) {
+    DependencyManager::get<DialogsManager>()->hmdTools(show);
+}
+
+GLWidget* Application::getPrimaryWidget() {
+    return _glWidget;
+}
+
+MainWindow* Application::getPrimaryWindow() {
+    return getWindow();
+}
+
+QOpenGLContext* Application::getPrimaryContext() {
+    return _glWidget->context()->contextHandle();
+}
+
+bool Application::makeRenderingContextCurrent() {
+    return _offscreenContext->makeCurrent();
+}
+
+void Application::releaseSceneTexture(const gpu::TexturePointer& texture) {
+    Q_ASSERT(QThread::currentThread() == thread());
+    auto& framebufferMap = _lockedFramebufferMap;
+    Q_ASSERT(framebufferMap.contains(texture));
+    auto framebufferPointer = framebufferMap[texture];
+    framebufferMap.remove(texture);
+    auto framebufferCache = DependencyManager::get<FramebufferCache>();
+    framebufferCache->releaseFramebuffer(framebufferPointer);
+}
+
+void Application::releaseOverlayTexture(const gpu::TexturePointer& texture) {
+    _applicationOverlay.releaseOverlay(texture);
+}
+
+bool Application::isForeground() const { 
+    return _isForeground && !_window->isMinimized(); 
+}
diff --git a/interface/src/Application.h b/interface/src/Application.h
index 6b6148be32..114ce27144 100644
--- a/interface/src/Application.h
+++ b/interface/src/Application.h
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@
 #include <PhysicsEngine.h>
 #include <plugins/Forward.h>
 #include <plugins/DisplayPlugin.h>
+#include <ui-plugins/PluginContainer.h>
 #include <ScriptEngine.h>
 #include <ShapeManager.h>
 #include <SimpleMovingAverage.h>
@@ -86,14 +87,32 @@ class Application;
 #endif
 #define qApp (static_cast<Application*>(QCoreApplication::instance()))
 
-class Application : public QApplication, public AbstractViewStateInterface, public AbstractScriptingServicesInterface, public AbstractUriHandler {
+class Application : public QApplication, 
+                    public AbstractViewStateInterface, 
+                    public AbstractScriptingServicesInterface, 
+                    public AbstractUriHandler,
+                    public PluginContainer {
     Q_OBJECT
 
     // TODO? Get rid of those
     friend class OctreePacketProcessor;
-    friend class PluginContainerProxy;
 
 public:
+
+    // virtual functions required for PluginContainer
+    virtual ui::Menu* getPrimaryMenu() override;
+    virtual void requestReset() override { resetSensors(true); }
+    virtual void showDisplayPluginsTools(bool show) override;
+    virtual GLWidget* getPrimaryWidget() override;
+    virtual MainWindow* getPrimaryWindow() override;
+    virtual QOpenGLContext* getPrimaryContext() override;
+    virtual bool makeRenderingContextCurrent() override;
+    virtual void releaseSceneTexture(const gpu::TexturePointer& texture) override;
+    virtual void releaseOverlayTexture(const gpu::TexturePointer& texture) override;
+    virtual bool isForeground() const override;
+
+    virtual DisplayPluginPointer getActiveDisplayPlugin() const override;
+
     enum Event {
         Present = DisplayPlugin::Present,
         Paint = Present + 1,
@@ -163,7 +182,6 @@ public:
 
     Overlays& getOverlays() { return _overlays; }
 
-    bool isForeground() const { return _isForeground; }
 
     size_t getFrameCount() const { return _frameCount; }
     float getFps() const { return _frameCounter.rate(); }
@@ -185,8 +203,6 @@ public:
 
     void setActiveDisplayPlugin(const QString& pluginName);
 
-    DisplayPluginPointer getActiveDisplayPlugin() const;
-
     FileLogger* getLogger() const { return _logger; }
 
     glm::vec2 getViewportDimensions() const;
diff --git a/interface/src/PluginContainerProxy.cpp b/interface/src/PluginContainerProxy.cpp
deleted file mode 100644
index b651a1520d..0000000000
--- a/interface/src/PluginContainerProxy.cpp
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,78 +0,0 @@
-#include "PluginContainerProxy.h"
-
-#include <QtGui/QScreen>
-#include <QtGui/QWindow>
-
-#include <plugins/Plugin.h>
-#include <plugins/PluginManager.h>
-#include <display-plugins/DisplayPlugin.h>
-#include <DependencyManager.h>
-#include <FramebufferCache.h>
-
-#include "Application.h"
-#include "MainWindow.h"
-#include "GLCanvas.h"
-#include "ui/DialogsManager.h"
-
-#include <gl/OffscreenGLCanvas.h>
-#include <QtGui/QOpenGLContext>
-
-PluginContainerProxy::PluginContainerProxy() {
-}
-
-PluginContainerProxy::~PluginContainerProxy() {
-}
-
-ui::Menu* PluginContainerProxy::getPrimaryMenu() {
-    auto appMenu = qApp->_window->menuBar();
-    auto uiMenu = dynamic_cast<ui::Menu*>(appMenu);
-    return uiMenu;
-}
-
-bool PluginContainerProxy::isForeground() {
-    return qApp->isForeground() && !qApp->getWindow()->isMinimized();
-}
-
-void PluginContainerProxy::requestReset() {
-    // We could signal qApp to sequence this, but it turns out that requestReset is only used from within the main thread anyway.
-    qApp->resetSensors(true);
-}
-
-void PluginContainerProxy::showDisplayPluginsTools(bool show) {
-    DependencyManager::get<DialogsManager>()->hmdTools(show);
-}
-
-GLWidget* PluginContainerProxy::getPrimaryWidget() {
-    return qApp->_glWidget;
-}
-
-MainWindow* PluginContainerProxy::getPrimaryWindow() {
-    return qApp->getWindow();
-}
-
-QOpenGLContext* PluginContainerProxy::getPrimaryContext() {
-    return qApp->_glWidget->context()->contextHandle();
-}
-
-const DisplayPluginPointer PluginContainerProxy::getActiveDisplayPlugin() const {
-    return qApp->getActiveDisplayPlugin();
-}
-
-bool PluginContainerProxy::makeRenderingContextCurrent() {
-    return qApp->_offscreenContext->makeCurrent();
-}
-
-void PluginContainerProxy::releaseSceneTexture(const gpu::TexturePointer& texture) {
-    Q_ASSERT(QThread::currentThread() == qApp->thread());
-    auto& framebufferMap = qApp->_lockedFramebufferMap;
-    Q_ASSERT(framebufferMap.contains(texture));
-    auto framebufferPointer = framebufferMap[texture];
-    framebufferMap.remove(texture);
-    auto framebufferCache = DependencyManager::get<FramebufferCache>();
-    framebufferCache->releaseFramebuffer(framebufferPointer);
-}
-
-void PluginContainerProxy::releaseOverlayTexture(const gpu::TexturePointer& texture) {
-    qApp->_applicationOverlay.releaseOverlay(texture);
-}
-
diff --git a/interface/src/PluginContainerProxy.h b/interface/src/PluginContainerProxy.h
deleted file mode 100644
index a04a1b2977..0000000000
--- a/interface/src/PluginContainerProxy.h
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,33 +0,0 @@
-#pragma once
-#ifndef hifi_PluginContainerProxy_h
-#define hifi_PluginContainerProxy_h
-
-#include <QtCore/QObject>
-#include <QtCore/QRect>
-
-#include <plugins/Forward.h>
-#include <plugins/PluginContainer.h>
-
-class QActionGroup;
-
-class PluginContainerProxy : public QObject, PluginContainer {
-    Q_OBJECT
-    PluginContainerProxy();
-    virtual ~PluginContainerProxy();
-    virtual void showDisplayPluginsTools(bool show = true) override;
-    virtual void requestReset() override;
-    virtual bool makeRenderingContextCurrent() override;
-    virtual void releaseSceneTexture(const gpu::TexturePointer& texture) override;
-    virtual void releaseOverlayTexture(const gpu::TexturePointer& texture) override;
-    virtual GLWidget* getPrimaryWidget() override;
-    virtual MainWindow* getPrimaryWindow() override;
-    virtual ui::Menu* getPrimaryMenu() override;
-    virtual QOpenGLContext* getPrimaryContext() override;
-    virtual bool isForeground() override;
-    virtual const DisplayPluginPointer getActiveDisplayPlugin() const override;
-
-    friend class Application;
-
-};
-
-#endif
diff --git a/libraries/display-plugins/CMakeLists.txt b/libraries/display-plugins/CMakeLists.txt
index f2d58d825e..fe08647074 100644
--- a/libraries/display-plugins/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/libraries/display-plugins/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 set(TARGET_NAME display-plugins)
 setup_hifi_library(OpenGL)
-link_hifi_libraries(shared plugins gl gpu-gl ui)
+link_hifi_libraries(shared plugins ui-plugins gl gpu-gl ui)
 
 target_opengl()
 
diff --git a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/AbstractHMDScriptingInterface.cpp b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/AbstractHMDScriptingInterface.cpp
index 4b8d957e5f..d068bef3b0 100644
--- a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/AbstractHMDScriptingInterface.cpp
+++ b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/AbstractHMDScriptingInterface.cpp
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 #include <SettingHandle.h>
 
 #include "DisplayPlugin.h"
-#include <plugins/PluginContainer.h>
+#include <ui-plugins/PluginContainer.h>
 
 static Setting::Handle<float> IPD_SCALE_HANDLE("hmd.ipdScale", 1.0f);
 
diff --git a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/Basic2DWindowOpenGLDisplayPlugin.cpp b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/Basic2DWindowOpenGLDisplayPlugin.cpp
index 48dda1f73d..3bdb96bde3 100644
--- a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/Basic2DWindowOpenGLDisplayPlugin.cpp
+++ b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/Basic2DWindowOpenGLDisplayPlugin.cpp
@@ -13,8 +13,6 @@
 #include <QtGui/QGuiApplication>
 #include <QtWidgets/QAction>
 
-#include <plugins/PluginContainer.h>
-
 const QString Basic2DWindowOpenGLDisplayPlugin::NAME("Desktop");
 
 static const QString FULLSCREEN = "Fullscreen";
diff --git a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/NullDisplayPlugin.cpp b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/NullDisplayPlugin.cpp
index 3f642072a0..8ebbf4d74b 100644
--- a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/NullDisplayPlugin.cpp
+++ b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/NullDisplayPlugin.cpp
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@
 #include "NullDisplayPlugin.h"
 
 #include <QtGui/QImage>
-#include <plugins/PluginContainer.h>
 
 const QString NullDisplayPlugin::NAME("NullDisplayPlugin");
 
diff --git a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/NullDisplayPlugin.h b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/NullDisplayPlugin.h
index dfa4232a86..c8770393c0 100644
--- a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/NullDisplayPlugin.h
+++ b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/NullDisplayPlugin.h
@@ -7,9 +7,11 @@
 //
 #pragma once
 
+#include <ui-plugins/PluginContainer.h>
 #include "DisplayPlugin.h"
 
 class NullDisplayPlugin : public DisplayPlugin {
+    ACCESS_PLUGIN_CONTAINER_MIXIN
 public:
 
     virtual ~NullDisplayPlugin() final {}
diff --git a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/OpenGLDisplayPlugin.cpp b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/OpenGLDisplayPlugin.cpp
index d34b698410..2128488718 100644
--- a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/OpenGLDisplayPlugin.cpp
+++ b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/OpenGLDisplayPlugin.cpp
@@ -22,12 +22,12 @@
 #include <NumericalConstants.h>
 #include <DependencyManager.h>
 #include <shared/NsightHelpers.h>
-#include <plugins/PluginContainer.h>
 #include <gl/Config.h>
 #include <gl/GLEscrow.h>
 #include <GLMHelpers.h>
 #include <CursorManager.h>
 #include "CompositorHelper.h"
+#include <ui/Menu.h>
 
 
 #if THREADED_PRESENT
@@ -202,6 +202,7 @@ private:
 
 #endif
 
+
 OpenGLDisplayPlugin::OpenGLDisplayPlugin() {
     _sceneTextureEscrow.setRecycler([this](const gpu::TexturePointer& texture){
         cleanupForSceneTexture(texture);
@@ -233,10 +234,11 @@ bool OpenGLDisplayPlugin::activate() {
             cursorData.hotSpot = vec2(0.5f);
         }
     }
-
+    if (!_container) {
+        return false;
+    }
     _vsyncSupported = _container->getPrimaryWidget()->isVsyncSupported();
 
-
 #if THREADED_PRESENT
     // Start the present thread if necessary
     QSharedPointer<PresentThread> presentThread;
@@ -272,7 +274,11 @@ bool OpenGLDisplayPlugin::activate() {
     _container->makeRenderingContextCurrent();
 #endif
 
-    return DisplayPlugin::activate();
+    if (isHmd() && (getHmdScreen() >= 0)) {
+        _container->showDisplayPluginsTools();
+    }
+
+    return Parent::activate();
 }
 
 void OpenGLDisplayPlugin::deactivate() {
@@ -288,7 +294,16 @@ void OpenGLDisplayPlugin::deactivate() {
     _container->makeRenderingContextCurrent();
 #endif
     internalDeactivate();
-    DisplayPlugin::deactivate();
+
+    _container->showDisplayPluginsTools(false);
+    if (!_container->currentDisplayActions().isEmpty()) {
+        auto menu = _container->getPrimaryMenu();
+        foreach(auto itemInfo, _container->currentDisplayActions()) {
+            menu->removeMenuItem(itemInfo.first, itemInfo.second);
+        }
+        _container->currentDisplayActions().clear();
+    }
+    Parent::deactivate();
 }
 
 
diff --git a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/OpenGLDisplayPlugin.h b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/OpenGLDisplayPlugin.h
index c87ff1bc93..10362b8181 100644
--- a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/OpenGLDisplayPlugin.h
+++ b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/OpenGLDisplayPlugin.h
@@ -21,9 +21,14 @@
 #include <gl/GLEscrow.h>
 #include <shared/RateCounter.h>
 
+#include <ui-plugins/PluginContainer.h>
+
 #define THREADED_PRESENT 1
 
 class OpenGLDisplayPlugin : public DisplayPlugin {
+
+    ACCESS_PLUGIN_CONTAINER_MIXIN
+
 protected:
     using Mutex = std::mutex;
     using Lock = std::unique_lock<Mutex>;
@@ -135,7 +140,9 @@ protected:
     BasicFramebufferWrapperPtr _compositeFramebuffer;
     bool _lockCurrentTexture { false };
 
+
 private:
+    using Parent = DisplayPlugin;
     ProgramPtr _activeProgram;
 };
 
diff --git a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/hmd/HmdDisplayPlugin.cpp b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/hmd/HmdDisplayPlugin.cpp
index 4e594d89ed..b7739a7fb6 100644
--- a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/hmd/HmdDisplayPlugin.cpp
+++ b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/hmd/HmdDisplayPlugin.cpp
@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@
 #include <QtWidgets/QWidget>
 
 #include <GLMHelpers.h>
-#include <plugins/PluginContainer.h>
 #include <CursorManager.h>
 #include <gl/GLWidget.h>
 #include <shared/NsightHelpers.h>
diff --git a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/hmd/HmdDisplayPlugin.h b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/hmd/HmdDisplayPlugin.h
index e6ceb7e376..b87f68231c 100644
--- a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/hmd/HmdDisplayPlugin.h
+++ b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/hmd/HmdDisplayPlugin.h
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@
 
 #include "../OpenGLDisplayPlugin.h"
 
+#include <QDebug>
+
 class HmdDisplayPlugin : public OpenGLDisplayPlugin {
     using Parent = OpenGLDisplayPlugin;
 public:
diff --git a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/stereo/SideBySideStereoDisplayPlugin.cpp b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/stereo/SideBySideStereoDisplayPlugin.cpp
index 5f55841be1..be095ecd39 100644
--- a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/stereo/SideBySideStereoDisplayPlugin.cpp
+++ b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/stereo/SideBySideStereoDisplayPlugin.cpp
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@
 #include "SideBySideStereoDisplayPlugin.h"
 #include <GLMHelpers.h>
 #include <CursorManager.h>
-#include <plugins/PluginContainer.h>
 #include <gl/GLWidget.h>
 #include "../CompositorHelper.h"
 
diff --git a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/stereo/StereoDisplayPlugin.cpp b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/stereo/StereoDisplayPlugin.cpp
index 6c6716c8fa..afb99e3174 100644
--- a/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/stereo/StereoDisplayPlugin.cpp
+++ b/libraries/display-plugins/src/display-plugins/stereo/StereoDisplayPlugin.cpp
@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@
 
 #include <ViewFrustum.h>
 #include <MatrixStack.h>
-#include <plugins/PluginContainer.h>
 #include <gl/GLWidget.h>
 #include <CursorManager.h>
 #include "../CompositorHelper.h"
diff --git a/libraries/input-plugins/CMakeLists.txt b/libraries/input-plugins/CMakeLists.txt
index b81554511d..b0ea13843b 100644
--- a/libraries/input-plugins/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/libraries/input-plugins/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 set(TARGET_NAME input-plugins)
 setup_hifi_library()
-link_hifi_libraries(shared plugins controllers)
+link_hifi_libraries(shared plugins ui-plugins controllers)
 
 GroupSources("src/input-plugins")
diff --git a/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/DisplayPlugin.cpp b/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/DisplayPlugin.cpp
index a217041f4e..747c72c08e 100644
--- a/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/DisplayPlugin.cpp
+++ b/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/DisplayPlugin.cpp
@@ -1,28 +1,6 @@
 #include "DisplayPlugin.h"
 
 #include <NumericalConstants.h>
-#include <ui/Menu.h>
-
-#include "PluginContainer.h"
-
-bool DisplayPlugin::activate() {
-    if (isHmd() && (getHmdScreen() >= 0)) {
-        _container->showDisplayPluginsTools();
-    }
-    return Parent::activate();
-}
-
-void DisplayPlugin::deactivate() {
-    _container->showDisplayPluginsTools(false);
-    if (!_container->currentDisplayActions().isEmpty()) {
-        auto menu = _container->getPrimaryMenu();
-        foreach(auto itemInfo, _container->currentDisplayActions()) {
-            menu->removeMenuItem(itemInfo.first, itemInfo.second);
-        }
-        _container->currentDisplayActions().clear();
-    }
-    Parent::deactivate();
-}
 
 int64_t DisplayPlugin::getPaintDelayUsecs() const {
     std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(_paintDelayMutex);
diff --git a/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/DisplayPlugin.h b/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/DisplayPlugin.h
index 19f803e11e..837694372a 100644
--- a/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/DisplayPlugin.h
+++ b/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/DisplayPlugin.h
@@ -64,8 +64,6 @@ public:
         Present = QEvent::User + 1
     };
 
-    bool activate() override;
-    void deactivate() override;
     virtual bool isHmd() const { return false; }
     virtual int getHmdScreen() const { return -1; }
     /// By default, all HMDs are stereo
diff --git a/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/Plugin.cpp b/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/Plugin.cpp
index 7c30f252c9..54f76b3482 100644
--- a/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/Plugin.cpp
+++ b/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/Plugin.cpp
@@ -9,10 +9,6 @@
 
 QString Plugin::UNKNOWN_PLUGIN_ID("unknown");
 
-void Plugin::setContainer(PluginContainer* container) {
-    _container = container;
-}
-
 bool Plugin::isSupported() const { return true; }
 
 void Plugin::init() {}
diff --git a/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/Plugin.h b/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/Plugin.h
index fb5bf0ba55..cb03f67bd6 100644
--- a/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/Plugin.h
+++ b/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/Plugin.h
@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@
 
 #include "Forward.h"
 
+#include <QDebug>
+
 class Plugin : public QObject {
 public:
     /// \return human-readable name
@@ -28,8 +30,11 @@ public:
     virtual const QString& getID() const { assert(false); return UNKNOWN_PLUGIN_ID; }
 
     virtual bool isSupported() const;
-    
-    void setContainer(PluginContainer* container);
+
+    /// Some plugins may need access to the PluginContainer, if the individual plugin
+    /// needs access to this, they should override these methods and store their own
+    /// type safe version of the pointer to the container.
+    virtual void setContainer(void* container) { }
 
     /// Called when plugin is initially loaded, typically at application start
     virtual void init();
@@ -65,7 +70,5 @@ public:
 
 protected:
     bool _active { false };
-    PluginContainer* _container { nullptr };
     static QString UNKNOWN_PLUGIN_ID;
-
 };
diff --git a/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/PluginManager.cpp b/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/PluginManager.cpp
index 7161132c5e..2692de931f 100644
--- a/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/PluginManager.cpp
+++ b/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/PluginManager.cpp
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@
 #include "RuntimePlugin.h"
 #include "DisplayPlugin.h"
 #include "InputPlugin.h"
-#include "PluginContainer.h"
 
 
 PluginManager* PluginManager::getInstance() {
@@ -133,10 +132,11 @@ const DisplayPluginList& PluginManager::getDisplayPlugins() {
                 }
             }
         }
-        auto& container = PluginContainer::getInstance();
         for (auto plugin : displayPlugins) {
-            plugin->setContainer(&container);
             plugin->init();
+            if (_container) {
+                plugin->setContainer(_container);
+            }
         }
 
     });
@@ -171,10 +171,11 @@ const InputPluginList& PluginManager::getInputPlugins() {
             }
         }
 
-        auto& container = PluginContainer::getInstance();
         for (auto plugin : inputPlugins) {
-            plugin->setContainer(&container);
             plugin->init();
+            if (_container) {
+                plugin->setContainer(_container);
+            }
         }
     });
     return inputPlugins;
diff --git a/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/PluginManager.h b/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/PluginManager.h
index 2a94e6490b..b0aa13d2d0 100644
--- a/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/PluginManager.h
+++ b/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/PluginManager.h
@@ -26,4 +26,7 @@ public:
     void disableDisplays(const QStringList& displays);
     void disableInputs(const QStringList& inputs);
     void saveSettings();
+    void setContainer(void* container) { _container = container; }
+private:
+    void* _container { nullptr };
 };
diff --git a/libraries/ui-plugins/CMakeLists.txt b/libraries/ui-plugins/CMakeLists.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9ce189b117
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libraries/ui-plugins/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+set(TARGET_NAME ui-plugins)
+setup_hifi_library(OpenGL)
+link_hifi_libraries(shared plugins ui)
diff --git a/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/PluginContainer.cpp b/libraries/ui-plugins/src/ui-plugins/PluginContainer.cpp
similarity index 100%
rename from libraries/plugins/src/plugins/PluginContainer.cpp
rename to libraries/ui-plugins/src/ui-plugins/PluginContainer.cpp
diff --git a/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/PluginContainer.h b/libraries/ui-plugins/src/ui-plugins/PluginContainer.h
similarity index 77%
rename from libraries/plugins/src/plugins/PluginContainer.h
rename to libraries/ui-plugins/src/ui-plugins/PluginContainer.h
index e1d1a212e2..57c3c62704 100644
--- a/libraries/plugins/src/plugins/PluginContainer.h
+++ b/libraries/ui-plugins/src/ui-plugins/PluginContainer.h
@@ -7,16 +7,18 @@
 //
 #pragma once
 
+#include <assert.h>
 #include <functional>
 #include <map>
 #include <stdint.h>
 
+#include <QtCore/QCoreApplication>
 #include <QtCore/QString>
 #include <QtCore/QVector>
 #include <QtCore/QPair>
 #include <QtCore/QRect>
 
-#include "Forward.h"
+#include <plugins/Forward.h>
 
 class QAction;
 class GLWidget;
@@ -63,8 +65,8 @@ public:
     virtual GLWidget* getPrimaryWidget() = 0;
     virtual MainWindow* getPrimaryWindow() = 0;
     virtual QOpenGLContext* getPrimaryContext() = 0;
-    virtual bool isForeground() = 0;
-    virtual const DisplayPluginPointer getActiveDisplayPlugin() const = 0;
+    virtual bool isForeground() const = 0;
+    virtual DisplayPluginPointer getActiveDisplayPlugin() const = 0;
 
     /// settings interface
     bool getBoolSetting(const QString& settingName, bool defaultValue);
@@ -84,3 +86,12 @@ protected:
     std::map<QString, QActionGroup*> _exclusiveGroups;
     QRect _savedGeometry { 10, 120, 800, 600 };
 };
+
+/// Mixin this class to your class to get easy access to the PluginContainer
+#define ACCESS_PLUGIN_CONTAINER_MIXIN                              \
+public:                                                            \
+    virtual void setContainer(void* container) override {          \
+        _container = static_cast<PluginContainer*>(container);     \
+    }                                                              \
+protected:                                                         \
+    PluginContainer* _container { nullptr };
diff --git a/plugins/hifiSixense/CMakeLists.txt b/plugins/hifiSixense/CMakeLists.txt
index 589b5b8964..f907d7865f 100644
--- a/plugins/hifiSixense/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/plugins/hifiSixense/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -8,5 +8,5 @@
 
 set(TARGET_NAME hifiSixense)
 setup_hifi_plugin(Script Qml Widgets)
-link_hifi_libraries(shared controllers ui plugins input-plugins)
+link_hifi_libraries(shared controllers ui plugins ui-plugins input-plugins)
 target_sixense()
diff --git a/plugins/hifiSixense/src/SixenseManager.cpp b/plugins/hifiSixense/src/SixenseManager.cpp
index 9ea79a8b96..4faec959ea 100644
--- a/plugins/hifiSixense/src/SixenseManager.cpp
+++ b/plugins/hifiSixense/src/SixenseManager.cpp
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@
 #include <NumericalConstants.h>
 #include <PathUtils.h>
 #include <PerfStat.h>
-#include <plugins/PluginContainer.h>
 #include <SettingHandle.h>
 
 #include <QLoggingCategory>
diff --git a/plugins/hifiSixense/src/SixenseManager.h b/plugins/hifiSixense/src/SixenseManager.h
index 6aec9fd4ad..c9e8f5d4ad 100644
--- a/plugins/hifiSixense/src/SixenseManager.h
+++ b/plugins/hifiSixense/src/SixenseManager.h
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 #include <controllers/InputDevice.h>
 #include <controllers/StandardControls.h>
 
+#include <ui-plugins/PluginContainer.h>
 #include <plugins/InputPlugin.h>
 
 struct _sixenseControllerData;
@@ -24,6 +25,7 @@ using SixenseControllerData = _sixenseControllerData;
 
 // Handles interaction with the Sixense SDK (e.g., Razer Hydra).
 class SixenseManager : public InputPlugin {
+    ACCESS_PLUGIN_CONTAINER_MIXIN
     Q_OBJECT
 public:
     // Plugin functions
diff --git a/plugins/oculus/CMakeLists.txt b/plugins/oculus/CMakeLists.txt
index a91690ecdd..778be08dcf 100644
--- a/plugins/oculus/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/plugins/oculus/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ if (WIN32)
 
     set(TARGET_NAME oculus)
     setup_hifi_plugin(Multimedia)
-    link_hifi_libraries(shared gl gpu controllers ui plugins display-plugins input-plugins audio-client networking)
+    link_hifi_libraries(shared gl gpu controllers ui plugins ui-plugins display-plugins input-plugins audio-client networking)
     
     include_hifi_library_headers(octree)
     
diff --git a/plugins/oculus/src/OculusControllerManager.cpp b/plugins/oculus/src/OculusControllerManager.cpp
index 9f0e76363b..128b980558 100644
--- a/plugins/oculus/src/OculusControllerManager.cpp
+++ b/plugins/oculus/src/OculusControllerManager.cpp
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 
 #include <QtCore/QLoggingCategory>
 
-#include <plugins/PluginContainer.h>
+#include <ui-plugins/PluginContainer.h>
 #include <controllers/UserInputMapper.h>
 #include <controllers/StandardControls.h>
 
diff --git a/plugins/oculusLegacy/CMakeLists.txt b/plugins/oculusLegacy/CMakeLists.txt
index a4e00013f1..c1f2c6249f 100644
--- a/plugins/oculusLegacy/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/plugins/oculusLegacy/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ if (APPLE)
 
     set(TARGET_NAME oculusLegacy)
     setup_hifi_plugin()
-    link_hifi_libraries(shared gl gpu plugins ui display-plugins input-plugins)
+    link_hifi_libraries(shared gl gpu plugins ui ui-plugins display-plugins input-plugins)
     
     include_hifi_library_headers(octree)
     
diff --git a/plugins/oculusLegacy/src/OculusLegacyDisplayPlugin.cpp b/plugins/oculusLegacy/src/OculusLegacyDisplayPlugin.cpp
index 8e044fbc16..3b2c9808ab 100644
--- a/plugins/oculusLegacy/src/OculusLegacyDisplayPlugin.cpp
+++ b/plugins/oculusLegacy/src/OculusLegacyDisplayPlugin.cpp
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@
 #include <gl/OglplusHelpers.h>
 #include <ViewFrustum.h>
 
-#include "plugins/PluginContainer.h"
 #include "OculusHelpers.h"
 
 using namespace oglplus;
diff --git a/plugins/openvr/CMakeLists.txt b/plugins/openvr/CMakeLists.txt
index 1ba8d05b92..8263e87767 100644
--- a/plugins/openvr/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/plugins/openvr/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ if (WIN32)
     set(TARGET_NAME openvr)
     setup_hifi_plugin(OpenGL Script Qml Widgets)
     link_hifi_libraries(shared gl networking controllers ui 
-        plugins display-plugins input-plugins script-engine
+        plugins display-plugins ui-plugins input-plugins script-engine
         render-utils model gpu render model-networking fbx)
 
     include_hifi_library_headers(octree)
diff --git a/plugins/openvr/src/OpenVrDisplayPlugin.cpp b/plugins/openvr/src/OpenVrDisplayPlugin.cpp
index 3e7e5abbf3..552a62514d 100644
--- a/plugins/openvr/src/OpenVrDisplayPlugin.cpp
+++ b/plugins/openvr/src/OpenVrDisplayPlugin.cpp
@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@
 #include <gl/GlWindow.h>
 
 #include <PerfStat.h>
-#include <plugins/PluginContainer.h>
 #include <ViewFrustum.h>
 #include <shared/NsightHelpers.h>
 #include "OpenVrHelpers.h"
diff --git a/plugins/openvr/src/ViveControllerManager.cpp b/plugins/openvr/src/ViveControllerManager.cpp
index b862aacb06..88c76a97b8 100644
--- a/plugins/openvr/src/ViveControllerManager.cpp
+++ b/plugins/openvr/src/ViveControllerManager.cpp
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@
 #include <gpu/Context.h>
 #include <DeferredLightingEffect.h>
 #include <NumericalConstants.h>
-#include <plugins/PluginContainer.h>
 #include <UserActivityLogger.h>
 
 #include <controllers/UserInputMapper.h>
diff --git a/plugins/openvr/src/ViveControllerManager.h b/plugins/openvr/src/ViveControllerManager.h
index 3a2ef1573f..f3cd2b4a93 100644
--- a/plugins/openvr/src/ViveControllerManager.h
+++ b/plugins/openvr/src/ViveControllerManager.h
@@ -23,12 +23,14 @@
 #include <plugins/InputPlugin.h>
 #include <RenderArgs.h>
 #include <render/Scene.h>
+#include <ui-plugins/PluginContainer.h>
 
 namespace vr {
     class IVRSystem;
 }
 
-class ViveControllerManager : public InputPlugin {
+class ViveControllerManager : public InputPlugin  {
+    ACCESS_PLUGIN_CONTAINER_MIXIN
     Q_OBJECT
 public:
     // Plugin functions
diff --git a/tests/controllers/CMakeLists.txt b/tests/controllers/CMakeLists.txt
index cf1152da02..3aac4db0a8 100644
--- a/tests/controllers/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/tests/controllers/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ setup_hifi_project(Script Qml)
 set_target_properties(${TARGET_NAME} PROPERTIES FOLDER "Tests/manual-tests/")
 
 # link in the shared libraries
-link_hifi_libraries(shared gl script-engine plugins render-utils input-plugins display-plugins controllers)
+link_hifi_libraries(shared gl script-engine plugins render-utils ui-plugins input-plugins display-plugins controllers)
 
 
 if (WIN32)
diff --git a/tests/controllers/src/main.cpp b/tests/controllers/src/main.cpp
index 36ed566ea7..15b768bb36 100644
--- a/tests/controllers/src/main.cpp
+++ b/tests/controllers/src/main.cpp
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@
 #include <QtQml/QQmlContext>
 
 #include <plugins/Plugin.h>
-#include <plugins/PluginContainer.h>
+#include <ui-plugins/PluginContainer.h>
 #include <plugins/PluginManager.h>
 #include <input-plugins/InputPlugin.h>
 #include <input-plugins/KeyboardMouseDevice.h>
@@ -90,8 +90,8 @@ public:
     virtual MainWindow* getPrimaryWindow() override { return nullptr; }
     virtual QOpenGLContext* getPrimaryContext() override { return nullptr; }
     virtual ui::Menu* getPrimaryMenu() override { return nullptr; }
-    virtual bool isForeground() override { return true; }
-    virtual const DisplayPluginPointer getActiveDisplayPlugin() const override { return DisplayPluginPointer();  }
+    virtual bool isForeground() const override { return true; }
+    virtual DisplayPluginPointer getActiveDisplayPlugin() const override { return DisplayPluginPointer();  }
 };
 
 class MyControllerScriptingInterface : public controller::ScriptingInterface {