Plugins and mods are the backbone to any server. They allow third party addons to modify the game, to add commands and features that would be otherwise dificult or impossible to have. Plugins can also automate some annoying task, such as catching cheaters or giving kits to new players. Plugins mean anyone can join, while mods require the player to install the client versions of the modpack first.

Adding Plugins

Server Software

To begin, make sure that your server software is compatible with plugins. By default on Kraken Hosting, your server is set to Paper, which is the most stable and easy to use server software. It's essentially Vanilla (default) Minecraft, but it fixes some exploits and bugs, and allows plugins. Other notable supporters are Sponge, allowing both plugins and mods, Purpur, and spigot.
Note: Paper is simply a fork of Spigot that's more stable. Any Spigot plugin is compatible with Paper.

Choosing the plugin(s)

Next, we've got to make a decision. First off, depending on how much you spent on your server, you may want to limit the amount of plugins you have. Some are really easy to run (lightwight) and others are very heavy and impactful on performance. If you have less than 6GB of RAM, we suggest less than 25 plugins for stability. There is no magic number, but the less you have, the better your server will perform, most likely. Even clearlag uses more CPU to run than normal, but it does help in the long-run. To select a plugin, we suggest Spigot, or Hangar. Hangar is good for popular plugins for Paper, while Spigot has more plugins. Generally, Hangar is the better choice if you can find your plugin on it.

Installing Plugins on Your Minecraft Server

Once you've decided on the plugin(s) you want to add to your Minecraft server, it's time to go through the installation process. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Download the Plugin

After choosing your desired plugin(s) from Spigot or Hangar, download the .jar file from the plugin’s page. Make sure it’s compatible with your Minecraft server version to avoid any issues.

Step 2: Access Your Server’s File Manager

1. Log into your Kraken Hosting dashboard.
2. Navigate to Files and open the Plugins folder. This is where you'll upload the plugin files.Step 3: Upload the Plugin

Once you’ve located the Plugins folder, upload the .jar file you downloaded earlier.

1. Click the Upload button.
2. Select the .jar file.
3. Wait for the file to upload successfully.

Step 4: Restart Your Server

To activate the plugin, you need to restart your server.

1. Head back to your Kraken Hosting Dashboard.
2. Find the Restart button, and click it.

Your server should restart with the plugin enabled! To check if the plugin is working, you can log into your server and use any command or feature that the plugin provides.

Step 5: Plugin Configuration (Optional)

Many plugins come with configuration files that allow you to adjust various settings. You can find these files in the Plugins folder, often named after the plugin itself.

1. Go to Files > Plugins > [Your Plugin Name].
2. Open the .yml or configuration files to edit the settings.
3. Make changes as needed, then save.

Additional Tips:

• Regularly update your plugins to ensure they remain compatible with your server software and to fix potential bugs.
• Keep an eye on plugin performance using server management tools like Spark.

GUIDE NOT FINISHED.