Plugins or mods?
Plugins run only on the server, so friends join with the normal game. Mods, like those for Fabric and Forge, usually need every player to install them too, and modpacks often need more memory than a free server has. Kiphost servers run Paper, so this guide is about plugins.
Where to find plugins
- Hangar, run by the Paper team.
- Modrinth, which lists plugins alongside mods. Filter by Paper.
- SpigotMC, the oldest and largest collection.
Download plugins only from these sites or from the author's own page. A plugin runs with full access to your server, so a random download can delete your world or worse.
Check the version on the download page. A plugin built for an older Minecraft version may still work, but one that lists your version is a safer bet.
Install a plugin
- Download the plugin. It's a single file ending in
.jar. - On your dashboard, open the Files tab and go into the
pluginsfolder. If it isn't there yet, start the server once and Paper creates it. - Choose Upload and pick the
.jarfile. - Restart the server. Paper loads every
.jarinpluginswhen it starts. - Check it worked: run
pluginsin the console. Loaded plugins are listed in green, ones that failed in red.
Most plugins make their own folder inside plugins with a config.yml. Edit it in the Files tab and restart to apply changes. Many plugins also have a reload command, which is quicker.
Update or remove a plugin
To update, stop the server, delete the old .jar, upload the new one and start the server again. Leave the plugin's folder in place; that's where its settings and data live.
To remove a plugin, delete its .jar and restart. Delete its folder too if you don't want its data any more.
Good plugins for a small server
| Plugin | What it's for |
|---|---|
| EssentialsX | Homes, warps, /spawn, /tpa so players can teleport to each other, and many small commands. |
| LuckPerms | Decide who can use which commands without making everyone an operator. |
| CoreProtect | Logs who placed and broke every block, and rolls back griefing. |
| WorldEdit | Build and change large areas with a few commands. |
| Chunky | Generates the world ahead of time so exploring causes less lag. |
| spark | Shows what's using the server's CPU and memory when it's lagging. |
Start with two or three. Every plugin uses some memory and adds startup time, and a free server has 3 GB to share between the game and everything you add.