Installation

This guide covers everything you need to install and configure Vanilla Core on your Minecraft server.

Server Requirements

Before installing Vanilla Core, verify your server meets these requirements:

Component	Minimum	Recommended	Notes
Server Software	Spigot 26.2	Paper 26.2+	Paper provides better performance and additional API features
Java Version	Java 25	Java 25+	Minecraft 26.2 requires Java 25
RAM	2GB	4GB+	Vanilla Core itself uses minimal memory
WorldGuard	7.0	7.0.9+	Optional - only needed for Mob Manager region features
WorldEdit	7.3	7.3+	Required if using WorldGuard

Installation Steps

Step 1: Download the Plugin

Download the latest version of Vanilla Core from one of these sources:

• Modrinth (Recommended)

Download the JAR file for the latest version.

Step 2: Stop Your Server

Before adding new plugins, always stop your server properly:

/stop

Never Hot-Load Plugins

Do not use plugin managers to load Vanilla Core while the server is running. Always stop the server, add the plugin, then start again. Hot-loading can cause memory leaks and unexpected behavior.

WorldGuard Not Required

The Mob Manager feature works without WorldGuard, but you can only control global mob spawning. Region-specific controls require WorldGuard.

Breaking Changes

Major version updates (like 1.x to 2.x) may include breaking changes. Always read the changelog before updating major versions.

Troubleshooting Installation

Plugin Doesn't Load

Symptom: Vanilla Core doesn't appear in /plugins or appears in red

Solutions:

1. Check Java version: Must be 25 or newer
2. Check server version: Must be 26.2 or newer
3. Check console for specific error messages
4. Verify the JAR file isn't corrupted (re-download if needed)
5. Ensure file permissions allow reading the JAR

Console Shows Errors on Startup

Symptom: Red error messages mentioning Vanilla Core during startup

Solutions:

1. Read the full error message - it usually explains the problem
2. Common causes:
   • Missing dependency (if error mentions another plugin)
   • Corrupt configuration (delete config.yml to regenerate)
   • Version mismatch (wrong Minecraft/Java version)

Commands Don't Work

Symptom: /smp returns "Unknown command"

Solutions:

1. Verify the plugin loaded: /plugins
2. Check permissions: You need smp.admin for /smp
3. If you're OP, commands should work automatically
4. Check for conflicting plugins that might intercept the command

GUI Doesn't Open

Symptom: /smp runs but no GUI appears

Solutions:

1. Check console for inventory-related errors
2. Verify you're not in spectator mode
3. Check if another plugin is blocking inventory opens
4. Try running /smp reload first

Configuration Not Saving

Symptom: Changes revert after server restart

Solutions:

1. Stop the server properly with /stop (don't kill the process)
2. Check file permissions on plugins/VanillaCore/
3. Verify disk space is available
4. Look for write errors in the console during shutdown

Server Compatibility

Tested Server Software

Software	Status	Notes
Paper	Fully Supported	Recommended
Spigot	Supported	Full functionality
Purpur	Supported	Based on Paper
Pufferfish	Supported	Based on Paper
Folia	Not Supported	Region-threaded servers require special handling

Known Plugin Conflicts

Vanilla Core is designed to be compatible with most plugins. However, conflicts may occur with:

• Other enchantment limiting plugins
• Other item restriction plugins
• Plugins that modify inventory events aggressively

If you experience conflicts, please report them on GitHub.

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Next: Learn about Commands and Permissions.