Plugins, mods, whitelist and ops

Everything here happens on the game panel: the Files tab for files, and the Console tab for commands. Commands typed in the console don't need the / you would use in game.

Install plugins#

Plugins work on Paper, Purpur and Spigot, not on vanilla, Fabric or Forge.

1. Download the plugin's .jar for your Minecraft version from Hangar, Modrinth or SpigotMC.
2. Upload it into the plugins folder.
3. Restart the server, then type plugins in the console: it should be listed in green.

Its settings appear in a folder of its own inside plugins, usually a config.yml. Edit it, then restart.

Install mods#

Mods work on Fabric, NeoForge and Forge servers. Each mod has to match both the Minecraft version and the loader.

1. Download the mod's .jar for your loader and version, from Modrinth or CurseForge.
2. Upload it into the mods folder.
3. Restart the server and watch the console for errors as it starts.

Players need the same mods on their own game, except for mods marked as server only. Fabric mods usually need the Fabric API mod as well.

Keep strangers out with a whitelist#

A whitelist lets in only the players you name.

whitelist add Steve

Add everyone you want first, then turn it on:

whitelist on

whitelist remove Steve takes someone off, and whitelist list shows who is on it. Online-mode servers check names against Mojang's accounts, so spell them exactly.

Make someone an operator#

An operator, or op, can use every command in game, from changing the time to banning players.

op Steve

deop Steve takes it away. Give op only to people you trust with the whole server: an op can wreck a world in seconds. For moderators, a permissions plugin such as LuckPerms gives just the commands they need.

Settings in server.properties#

server.properties is in the top folder of the server. Edit it in the Files tab, save, and restart the server for the changes to take effect.

A new world#

To start again with a fresh world, stop the server, take a backup if you might want the old one, delete the world folder (and world_nether and world_the_end on Paper) in the Files tab, set level-seed if you want a particular one, and start the server. It makes a new world on start.