How To Add Plugins To A Minecraft Server?

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Written By Allan Brooks

Minecraft enthusiast sharing insights on servers, hosts, and crafting epic gaming experiences.

You can add new features with certain plugins, such as redesigned NPCs, an in-game currency, and the ability to make everything in a specific area of the world indestructible. Consider plugins to be browser extensions for Minecraft servers rather than Google Chrome. 

To add plugins to a Minecraft server, you need to have server software that supports plugins. You also need to download the plugin files from a trusted source and place them in the “plugins” folder of your server directory. Then, you need to restart your server and check if the plugins are loaded correctly.

Plugins are completely different from mods in that they don’t alter the game in any way. Since mods can make more drastic changes. Supercharge your Minecraft server! Uncover the magic of adding plugins with our step-by-step guide for an epic multiplayer world makeover.

How to Add Plugins to Your Minecraft Server?

You must gain access to the server’s files in order to add plugins. You will be able to upload and add the plugins as a result. A server restart will then enable the plugins.

You can log in to your server to see if your plugins are functioning. If not, you might need to download a fresh copy or retry the installation. It is a quick and easy process. The steps are as follows:

  1. Download one or more plugins of your choice 
  2. Open the plugins’ window
  3. Locate the directory for your Minecraft server
  4. Go to the “plugins” file
  5. Go to the plugins window
  6. They are in.jar format, so plugins are simple to recognize
  7. Put the plugins in the “plugins” folder by dragging them there
  8. Close the windows
  9. You have to restart the server 
  10. Your plugins ought to be functional when you connect to the server after restarting

What Are Plugins And Their Benefits For Minecraft Servers?

Plugins are software extensions that let users alter the functionality of computer programs, mobile apps, web browsers, and the material that is made available by websites. The use of plugins in web browsers has declined slightly in favor of browser extensions, even if they are still utilized as add-ons to customize programs and apps.

The use of plugins can significantly improve your Minecraft server experience. They can expand on the base that a conventional server enjoys or add special features to a boring vanilla environment. You may add strong administrative tools, stop trolls from causing your players misery, make it difficult for them to do so, and more with the correct combination of plugins. Additionally, it has the following advantages.

  • The majority of plugins don’t significantly impact performance and take up very little server space. 
  • The purpose of plugin loaders like Paper is to significantly increase your server’s performance and eliminate lag.
  • Most plugins offer some kind of version flexibility. This indicates that in some circumstances, even if a plugin hasn’t been updated to the most recent version of the game, you can still use it.

What Are Some Popular Plugins For Minecraft Servers?

In Minecraft, servers are always entertaining because everyone tries to customize their own, making each one a little bit distinct. Here is a list of plugins for your server that could be quite useful if you run your own.

  1. EssentialsX- spigot 

Plugins for operating a Minecraft server are included in the EssentialsX collection. It provides administrators with a vast selection of commands they can use to control a server and the gamers. Along with that, it has a full economy, stores, ways for players to pay, tp, tpa, warps, and a whole lot more. For your server, it is the all-in-one admin plugin. A permission plugin on it enables you to grant players a large number of custom commands.

  1. World edit-Bukkit 

In order to edit and modify the terrain in Minecraft, WorldEdit is a potent plugin. Imagine it as a “paint” for the video game Minecraft. enabling the use of capabilities such as brushes, delete, copy, and paste, among many others, to transform the terrain.

  1. Vault-Bukkit

On a Minecraft server, Vault is a plugin for controlling permissions for the economy. It is essentially the default setting for any server that uses an economy. If you have a store plugin, it depends on an economy plugin like EssentialsX since most economies require vault API to function. But for the API and everything else to function, the economics plugin needs the vault.

  1. Dynmap-Spigot

Dynmap can be used to visualize a Minecraft server in real-time. It creates a live display of your server in the style of Google Maps, complete with player audio, and even enables online communication.

  1. Citizens

Citizens is a plugin for Minecraft that lets you add NPCs (non-player characters). Your server will gain a tonne of new features as a result, becoming truly realistic. From several chatty PCs to NPCs that wander about freely. In order to build NPCs with quests, rewards, and other features, it also interfaces with a tonne of other plugins, such as beauty quests. Everything is programmable, making it simple to apply internet skins for your npcs.

  • Multiverse – Spigot

A Minecraft server’s Multiverse plugin allows for the creation and administration of numerous worlds. It enables numerous worlds on one server and is the finest substitute method for hosting multiple worlds without the use of bungee cable. Players can quickly switch between many planets, enabling you to make survival, minigames, and other types of worlds. 

How to Choose the Right Plugins for Your Server?

Your Minecraft server’s success depends on your ability to select the appropriate plugins. When choosing the top Minecraft server plugins, keep the following characteristics in mind:

  1. The Significance Of Plugin Compatibility: 

Before merging the greatest Minecraft plugins to improve your world, synchronize them. Unexpected behavior and misunderstanding could be brought on by incompatible plugins.

  1. Considerations For Plugin Functionality: 

To prevent negative impacts, choose your Minecraft servers’ plugins wisely.

  1. The Significance Of Routine Plugin Updates: 

Regular updates guarantee that your plugins are current and compatible with the most recent version of Minecraft.

  1. User Evaluations And Plugin Ratings: 

Before installing a plugin, look at user evaluations and plugin ratings to make sure it is dependable and efficient.

How to Install Plugins on Different Minecraft Server Types?

Depending on the kind of Minecraft server you’re running, different plugins require different installation procedures. Here is a quick guide on how to install plugins on various kinds of Minecraft servers:

  1. Vanilla Server 

A vanilla server is one that uses the original Minecraft code to run the game. It is hence devoid of any installed plugins. You’ll need to utilize server software that supports plugins, such as Spigot or Paper, to install plugins on a vanilla server.

The procedures I outlined earlier apply when installing plugins on a vanilla server. Start by stopping your server. Next, get the plugin you wish to install from a reputable source. Upload the plugin file to the plugin folder in your server directory by first logging into your server’s FTP client. Start the server at last.

  1. Forge Server

A server that is running the Minecraft Forge mod loader is known as a Forge server. Installing mods, which are effective plugins that alter the Minecraft code, is made possible by doing this. Use the Forge installer to install Forge on your server if you want to install plugins on a Forge server.

After Forge is set up, you may add plugins to it by downloading them from a reliable source and uploading them to the mods folder in your server directory.

  1. Proxy Server 

Between your players and your primary Minecraft server is a server known as a proxy server. It can be applied to boost productivity, security, and restraint. Plugins are also supported by some proxy servers.

You must refer to the documentation for the particular proxy server you are using in order to install plugins on it. On a vanilla or Forge server, the general procedures are the same for adding plugins.

How to Add Plugins to a Bukkit, Spigot, or CraftBukkit Server?

Installing Spigot plugins on your Minecraft server is quite simple. Here is how it works:

  • Ensure that Spigot is already set up on your server
  • To create the “Plugins” folder, run the server just once
  • Turn off the server
  • Install the plugins you need 
  • Put those plugins in the “Plugins” folder on your server via FTP
  • Launch your server, and your plugins will start working

The procedure for adding plugins to a CraftBukkit/ Bukkit server is as follows:

  • Close the CraftBukkit/ Bukiit server.
  • From a reliable site, download the plugin you want to install.
  • Connect to the FTP client on your server
  • Navigate to your server’s directory and choose the plugins folder
  • Place the plugin file in the folder for plugins
  • Start the Bukkit/ CraftBukkit server, and its done

How to Add Plugins to a Paper Server?

To add the plugins to the paper server you have to perform the same procedure as others, with some minor changes, let’s see how:

  • Download the plugin you want to use after finding it. Make sure the file you downloaded has an a.jar extension. Some plugins are distributed in.zip format as well; in this case, you must unzip the file and find the corresponding.jar file for your platform, which is frequently called bukkit or paper
  • Locate the plugins folder in the Paper server’s root directory once you’ve downloaded the plugin locally
  • The plugin file (.jar) should be dropped into the plugins folder. Although the process will be the same, if you are using a shared hosting service, you might need to upload the plugin through their web panel or SFTP
  • Switch off your server. The plugin ought to launch

Verify your work. Run the /plugins command in-game or type plugins into the console once the server has completed loading. Your newly installed plugin should appear in green on the list. Troubleshooting should be continued if it is not included or is highlighted in red. A plugin that is highlighted in red signifies that it is not active right now. This frequently indicates that a newly installed plugin failed to load.

Where to Put Plugins on Your Minecraft Server and How to Manage the Plugins Folder?

Your Minecraft server can benefit from extra features and functionality by using plugins. But it’s crucial to understand where to put them and how to handle them correctly.

Plugins are normally kept in the plugins folder in your Minecraft server’s root directory. When you set up server software like Spigot or Paper, this folder is automatically created.

Simply download the plugin file and upload it to the plugin folder to add a plugin to your server. When the server first starts up after the plugin has been uploaded, it will immediately begin to load.

By making changes to the plugins.yml file, you may control your plugins. A list of all the plugins installed on your server may be found in this file, which is housed in the plugins subdirectory.

How to Configure and Use Minecraft Server Commands for Plugins?

Step 1 – Install The Plugin

Downloading the plugin file and putting it in the server’s “plugins” folder are the first steps in installing a plugin in the world of Minecraft servers. Platforms like Spigot and Bukkit offer a wide variety of plugins.

Step 2 – Open The Server Console

If you have advanced server hosting, you can access your Minecraft server through SSH or use a tool like Multicraft to manage it.

Step 3 – Determine The Plugin Commands

A specific set of commands is provided with each Minecraft plugin. These commands are listed in the plugin’s documentation, which is frequently available on the website of the plugin’s creator.

Step 4 – Type Commands

Enter the plugin commands using the proper syntax in the server console. If you have a teleportation plugin, for instance, you may use the command “/teleport [player] [location].”

Step 5 – Evaluate and Correct

Check that the instructions function as anticipated by testing them in-game. Modify the configuration files for the plugin as necessary to alter how it behaves.

Step 6 – Apply and Save Changes

Any settings you have changed should be saved and applied in accordance with the plugin’s instructions.

Step 7 – Track And Resolve Issues

Keep an eye on your server and plugins for Minecraft. Consult the plugin’s documentation for troubleshooting instructions if problems occur, or ask the Minecraft community for assistance.

How to Update and Remove Plugins from Your Minecraft Server?

In general, major updates to the base game or the plugins themselves render plugins on Minecraft servers out of date. Get your plugins updated by following the procedures below.

  • Download the relevant plugins’.jar file which is updated to the latest version 
  • Login to access the Multicraft panel
  • Go with File Manager
  • Identify and access the plugins folder
  • Pick the outdated plugin, then select the Delete option
  • The Upload button is located on the top menu
  • To add the updated.jar plugin to Dropbox, drag it there 
  • Start the Server after the plugins have been uploaded to load the updated plugin versions

For removing the plugins from your Minecraft server:

1- Open the control panel for your server and select “Stop” to shut it off

2- Select the plugin you want to uninstall from the “plugins” folder by navigating to the “Files” tab. Verify if it is a jar file and see if there is a folder that needs to be deleted. When you’re certain of it, pick the folder and file and then click the “delete” option

3- Click “Start” to launch your server after uninstalling the plugin from the console

How Does Java, Programming, and Software Development Relate to Minecraft Plugins and Scripting?

For the purpose of developing Minecraft plugins and scripts, knowledge of Java, programming, and software development is needed.

  • Minecraft is created with Java, a computer language. As a result, Java must be used to create all plugins and scripts.
  • Software development involves programming. Coding, bug fixing, and testing are all included in this.
  • All stages of developing, testing, and deploying software are referred to as software development. The software design, management, and documentation are also included in this, in addition to programming.

You’ll need to know the fundamentals of Java programming in order to construct a Minecraft plugin or script. A set of classes and methods called the Minecraft plugin API that can be used to communicate with the game itself will also need to be familiar to you.