I found out what is causing but not sure why
The only plugins I can get to work are the one listed last.
ie
$rcmail_config['plugins'] = array('archive');
$rcmail_config['plugins'] = array('filters');
in this case only the filters will work.
if I do it like this, only the archive will work.
$rcmail_config['plugins'] = array('filters');
$rcmail_config['plugins'] = array('archive');
Is there a particular way of listing out plugins?
update: got it working by listing out each plugin in the () ('filters', 'archive', etc)