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Add a Plugin to a Minecraft Server

FreshPerf lets you search for and install plugins directly from the panel on compatible server software.

Plugins are mainly used with Paper, Spigot, Purpur and other Bukkit-compatible servers.

1. Check the server software

Open your Minecraft server and click Versions.

FreshPerf displays the available server software.

For Bukkit plugins, use a compatible server such as:

  • Paper.
  • Spigot.
  • Purpur.

A standard Vanilla server does not load Bukkit plugins.

If you change server software, stop the server first and back up your data.

2. Stop the server

Before installing or removing a plugin, click Stop and wait until the server is fully stopped.

3. Open the plugin catalog

From your server:

  1. click Mods & plugins.
  2. open Explore.
  3. choose Plugins.

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The catalog can include several sources, such as:

  • Modrinth.
  • CurseForge.
  • Hangar.
  • SpigotMC.

4. Search for a plugin

Use the plugin search bar.

You can filter results by source.

Open the plugin you want and choose a version compatible with your server.

5. Install the plugin

From the plugin page:

  1. select a compatible version.
  2. start the installation.
  3. wait for confirmation.
  4. start the server again.

FreshPerf places the plugin in the correct location for the selected server software.

6. Check installed plugins

Open:

Mods & plugins → Installed

You can also manually inspect:

/plugins/

from the Files tab.

7. Configure the plugin

After the first startup, many plugins create their own directory:

/plugins/PluginName/

Common files include:

config.yml
messages.yml

For safer edits:

  1. stop the server.
  2. edit the files.
  3. save changes.
  4. start the server again.

8. Check the console

Open Console after restarting.

Look for errors mentioning the plugin name.

A plugin may fail to load because:

  • the version is incompatible.
  • a dependency is missing.
  • the server software is not supported.
  • the Java version is incompatible.

Manual installation

If a plugin is not available in FreshPerf's catalog:

  1. download its .jar from an official or trusted source.
  2. stop the server.
  3. open Files or connect through SFTP.
  4. upload the .jar to:
/plugins/
  1. start the server again.

Do not extract the .jar file.