How to Install Plugins on Your Minecraft Server

So, you’ve got your Minecraft server up and running… but vanilla just isn’t cutting it anymore.

Maybe you want custom commands, economy systems, minigames, ranks, moderation tools, or that one quality-of-life feature you refuse to play without. That’s where plugins come in.

Plugins let you completely transform your Minecraft server experience without installing full modpacks. Regardless if you're building a small private server for friends or a full-scale community hub, installing plugins is one of the fastest ways to level up your world.

In this guide, we’ll walk through exactly how to install plugins on your Minecraft server so you can get back to building something awesome.

Selecting the Correct Server JAR

1. Navigate to your Nodecraft Dashboard.

2. Click the Panel button for your Minecraft server.

3. Locate and click Installer in the menu on the left side.

4. If you are using Vanilla, you will need to use Paper to install plugins. If you are using a modpack, you will need to use Arclight.

5. Scroll down to the correct server JAR and click the Install button.

   

6. Select the desired Game Version, then the Install Method.

7. For Paper, it is recommended to choose Swap. With Arclight, it is recommended to choose Merge.

8. Once the installation is complete, go ahead and start the server.

Installing Plugins from the Control Panel

1. Navigate to your Nodecraft Dashboard.

2. Click the Panel button for your Minecraft server.

3. Locate and click Plugins in the menu on the left side.

4. Using the dropdown at the top right, select Spigot.

5. You can browse plugins by Featured, Categories, or enter a search term.

6. Click the Install button next to each plugin you want to install.

   

Note: If the plugin has an External Download button instead of an Install button, the plugin is not able to be installed automatically. It will need to be downloaded and installed manually. 

7. Once the installation is complete, restart your server to load the newly installed plugin(s).

Installing Plugins Manually

1. Download the JAR file for the plugin(s) you want to install.

2. Navigate to your Nodecraft Dashboard.

3. Click the Panel button for your Minecraft server.

4. Locate and click Server Files in the menu on the left side.

5. Navigate to /plugins.

6. Click Upload at the top, then drag the plugin file into the blue box.

7. Once the file is finished uploading, click Close at the bottom.

8. Restart your server to load the newly installed plugin(s).

Conclusion

That’s it. Plugins are now installed and ready to power up your server.

From moderation tools to full-blown gameplay overhauls, plugins give you the flexibility to shape your Minecraft world exactly how you want it. If something doesn’t load correctly, always double-check version compatibility and server logs, since most issues come down to mismatched versions or missing dependencies.

Now that you know how to install plugins, the real question is… what are you adding next?

Need Help?

If you have questions or run into any issues, our support team is here to help! Reach out using the support widget on our website or visit our support center for further assistance.