Minecraft Server Plugin Installation Guide

This guide is for plugin-based Minecraft Java servers such as Spigot, Paper, and compatible forks.

Vanilla, Bedrock, and most mod-loader servers (Forge/Fabric/NeoForge) do not use Bukkit/Spigot plugins.

We recommend plugin downloads from SpigotMC, Modrinth, or CurseForge.

Before You Install Plugins

Only install plugins from trusted authors and sources.

Check plugin compatibility with both your Minecraft version and your server software version.

Some plugins require dependency plugins. Review each plugin page for required libraries or companion plugins.

The game panel Files tab supports uploads up to 1 GB per file. For larger files-or when uploading many plugins at once-use SFTP instead.

Step-by-Step Installation

  1. Download the plugin to your computer
  2. Log in to the ApexNode panel: https://panel.apexnode.host
  3. Select your Minecraft server
  4. Open the Files tab
  5. Open the plugins folder
  6. If the plugins folder does not exist, create it
  7. Upload the plugin .jar file into plugins via the Files tab, or use SFTP if the file is over 1 GB
  8. If your download is a .zip, unarchive it on your computer, then upload the contained .jar file(s)
  9. Restart the server
  10. Confirm the plugin loads in console output and in-game behavior

Troubleshooting

If a plugin does not load, check:

  1. The plugin file is a valid .jar
  2. Plugin version matches your Minecraft and server software version
  3. Required dependencies are installed
  4. Server restarted after upload
  5. Startup logs for specific plugin errors

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