Server Plugins

How to Set Up EssentialsX

EssentialsX is the one plugin almost every server runs first. Drop it in, set spawn, grant a few permissions, and your players get /sethome, /spawn and /tpa working in chat in minutes.

server console, start.sh
01 [Server] Loading plugins...
02 [EssentialsX] Loading EssentialsX v2.20.1
03 [EssentialsX] Enabled
04 [EssentialsX] Loaded 0 kits, 1 jails, 0 warps
05 [Server] Done (3.812s)! For help, type "help"
in-game chat
<Steve> /sethome base
Home base set.
<Alex> /tpa Steve
Request sent to Steve. Type /tpaccept to teleport.
<Steve> /spawn
Teleporting to spawn...

From jar to working commands

The flow is the same on Spigot and Paper: stop the server, drop EssentialsX.jar into plugins/, start it, and watch for [EssentialsX] Enabled. Run /setspawn once, then gate commands per group with LuckPerms (essentials.sethome, essentials.spawn, essentials.tpa). Skip permissions only on a personal op-only world. Edit config.yml later for multiple homes, teleport cooldowns and spawn-on-join.

Quick answers

Why does /sethome say unknown command?

The base EssentialsX jar provides /sethome. If it is unknown, the plugin did not enable, check the console for [EssentialsX] Enabled and confirm the jar is in plugins/, not a subfolder.

Players cannot use /tpa, how do I fix it?

Grant the permission. With LuckPerms: lp group default permission set essentials.tpa true. Without a permissions plugin, EssentialsX falls back to op-only for many commands.

Do I need EssentialsXChat or Spawn too?

No. The core EssentialsX jar already includes /spawn, /sethome and /tpa. Add-ons like EssentialsXChat (prefixes), EssentialsXSpawn (advanced spawn control) and EssentialsXProtect are optional extras.

How do I set the number of homes a player can have?

Define named tiers in the sethome-multiple section of config.yml (each set maps to a number), then grant the matching permission like essentials.sethome.multiple.vip. Players also need essentials.sethome.multiple for any tier to apply.

Why is Vault or LuckPerms recommended with EssentialsX?

LuckPerms manages who can run each command, and Vault bridges EssentialsX economy with other plugins. EssentialsX works without them but you lose fine-grained permission and economy hooks.

Does EssentialsX work on Paper and modern versions?

Yes. EssentialsX 2.20.x supports current Spigot and Paper builds. Always download the release that matches your server version to avoid enable errors.

How do I stop /tpa requests from spamming players?

Set how long a request stays open with tpa-accept-cancellation (seconds) in config.yml. To throttle repeats, add a per-command cooldown under command-cooldowns, for example tpa: 30. Players can also run /tptoggle to block all incoming requests.

Why does /sethome only let players save one home?

The default limit is one home. To raise it, name a set in the sethome-multiple config section (for example default: 3), then grant essentials.sethome.multiple and essentials.sethome.multiple.default. The number lives in config, the permission just unlocks the set. The highest matching set a player has wins.

Does EssentialsX include an economy and how do I set the starting balance?

Yes, the core jar ships a built-in economy. Edit starting-balance in config.yml (default 0) and currency-symbol for the prefix. Use /eco give, /eco take and /pay. Install Vault if you want other plugins like shops to read the same balance.

How do I disable a command EssentialsX overrides like /help or /me?

Add the command name under disabled-commands in config.yml, one per line, no slash. To keep both EssentialsX and another plugin, prefix the version you want, /essentials:home vs /home. EssentialsX registers aliases at boot, so restart after editing.

Config tweaks worth making early

The first run writes plugins/Essentials/config.yml. Edit it while the server is stopped, then start, because EssentialsX only reads config at boot. A live edit needs /essentials reload or a restart to apply.

Set teleport-cooldown and teleport-delay to stop combat logging by teleport. A 3 second delay cancels the warp if the player moves or takes damage, which closes the /spawn escape during PvP. Pair it with the essentials.teleport.cooldown.bypass permission only for staff.

Watch for the common boot failure: two permission plugins loaded at once. EssentialsX warns about an unsafe Essentials/Vault state if you run PermissionsEx alongside LuckPerms. Pick one, delete the other jar from plugins/, then restart so the console shows [EssentialsX] Enabled cleanly.

Run /seen <player> to check last login, and /near to list players within a radius, both ship in the base jar.
Set spawn-on-join: true so first-time and respawning players land at your /setspawn point instead of the world spawn.
Use /tempban <player> 2d and /mute <player> 30m for timed moderation. Times accept d, h, m and s suffixes.