diff --git a/lib/prepare.js b/lib/prepare.js
index 2d0fc56db2..a12273b34c 100644
--- a/lib/prepare.js
+++ b/lib/prepare.js
@@ -74,9 +74,33 @@ if (!Object.assign) Object.assign = require('object-assign')`
     fs.existsSync(options.themeEnhanceAppPath)
   )
 
+  // 7. handle plugins
+  const pluginFiles = [
+    path.resolve(options.themeDir),
+    path.resolve(sourceDir, '.vuepress')
+  ]
+
+  for (const pluginFile of pluginFiles) {
+    await loadPlugin(pluginFile, options)
+  }
+
   return options
 }
 
+async function loadPlugin (pluginPath, options) {
+  let plugin
+
+  try {
+    plugin = require(pluginPath)
+  } catch (e) {
+    return
+  }
+
+  if (plugin) {
+    await plugin({ options })
+  }
+}
+
 async function resolveOptions (sourceDir) {
   const vuepressDir = path.resolve(sourceDir, '.vuepress')
   const configPath = path.resolve(vuepressDir, 'config.js')
@@ -143,6 +167,7 @@ async function resolveOptions (sourceDir) {
 
   if (useDefaultTheme) {
     // use default theme
+    options.themeDir = path.resolve(__dirname, 'default-theme')
     options.themePath = path.resolve(__dirname, 'default-theme/Layout.vue')
     options.notFoundPath = path.resolve(__dirname, 'default-theme/NotFound.vue')
   } else {