Plugins let you add new features to your server — from essential tools like permissions and economy to fun additions like mini-games and custom enchantments. This guide covers two ways to install plugins on your Pexnode server.
1. What Are Plugins?
Plugins are add-ons that run on Paper, Spigot, or Purpur server types. They're .jar files that go in your server's plugins folder. Vanilla and Forge servers use mods instead — see our modpack guide for those.
2. Using the Plugin Installer (Recommended)
The easiest way to install plugins is through the built-in installer in your server panel.
Go to your server in panel.pexnode.com, then click the Plugins tab in the left sidebar.
Type the plugin name in the search bar. Results are pulled from popular plugin repositories. Click on a plugin to see its description and compatibility info.
Click the Install button next to the version that matches your Minecraft version. The plugin .jar file will be automatically downloaded to your plugins folder.
Go to the Console tab and click Restart. The plugin will load on startup and generate its config files.
3. Manual Installation via File Manager
If the plugin isn't available in the installer, you can upload it manually.
Get the .jar file from a trusted source like Hangar, Modrinth, or SpigotMC. Always download from official sources to avoid malware.
In your server panel, click the Files tab, then navigate to the plugins folder.
Click the Upload button in the top right and select your .jar file. Wait for the upload to complete.
Restart from the Console tab. Check the console output to confirm the plugin loaded without errors.
4. Configuring Plugins
After a plugin loads for the first time, it creates a configuration folder inside plugins/ with its name. For example, EssentialsX creates plugins/Essentials/.
Navigate to plugins/PluginName/ in the File Manager. Most plugins have a config.yml file.
Click on config.yml to open the built-in editor. Make your changes and click Save.
Some plugins support /pluginname reload in the console. Otherwise, restart the server for changes to take effect.
5. Troubleshooting
If a plugin isn't working, check these common issues:
Check the console for error messages. Common causes: wrong Minecraft version, missing dependency plugin, or wrong server type (e.g., trying to use a Spigot plugin on Vanilla).
If your server crashes or behaves strangely after adding a plugin, try removing it and restarting. Some plugins are incompatible with each other.
Some plugins require other plugins to work. Check the plugin's documentation for required dependencies (e.g., Vault, ProtocolLib, PlaceholderAPI) and install those first.