Lodehost
What happens when you press install
Set an exact Minecraft version
Plugins are built for specific releases. If your server is set to latest, the panel asks you to pin a version such as 1.21.8 first, instead of guessing which one you mean. Changing the version is a field on the Settings tab.
Search the Plugins tab
Search by name or browse a category. Each plugin shows a one line description written in plain words and the release we last checked it on.
Pick the build
The version list only shows stable releases that support your server software and exactly your Minecraft version, newest first.
Install
The jar is downloaded on the server itself, checked against its SHA-512 checksum and placed in the plugins folder. Nothing passes through your computer.
Restart the server
Plugins load when the server starts. After the restart, the console shows the plugin enabling, and its config folder appears in the file manager.
What is in the catalogue
The catalogue holds 510 plugins in 15 categories. For 475 of them we name the Minecraft release we last checked them against, and the rest say that they have not been checked yet, so you know what you are installing.
| Category | Plugins | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Admin | 77 | LuckPerms, Maintenance, Skript |
| Utility | 68 | Tools for everyday server work |
| Economy | 62 | Shops, currencies and player vaults |
| Gameplay | 57 | New mechanics for survival worlds |
| Social | 54 | Chat, DiscordSRV |
| Performance | 52 | Chunky for pre generating terrain |
| Cosmetic | 45 | Tab lists, name tags, TAB |
| Library | 43 | PlaceholderAPI, VaultUnlocked |
| World gen | 18 | Multiverse-Core, Chunky Border |
| Minigame | 13 | Games inside your server |
| Protection | 7 | WorldGuard, GriefPrevention, CoreProtect |
| Compatibility | 5 | ViaVersion for other client versions |
| Building | 4 | WorldEdit, FastAsyncWorldEdit |
| Web map | 3 | BlueMap, Dynmap, squaremap |
| Essentials | 2 | EssentialsX |
Every plugin is available on every plan, from Camp up. There is no tier that unlocks plugins and no cap on how many you install; the only real limit is the memory your plan gives the server.
Which server software loads plugins
| Server type | Loads plugins | Builds the panel looks for |
|---|---|---|
| Paper | Yes | Paper, Spigot and Bukkit plugins |
| Purpur | Yes | Purpur, Paper, Spigot and Bukkit plugins |
| Spigot | Yes | Spigot, Bukkit and Paper plugins |
| Fabric, Forge, NeoForge | No, these load mods | Use modpack and mod installs |
| Vanilla | No | Switch to Paper to use plugins |
Not sure which one to run? Paper vs Purpur vs Spigot compares them. Moving from Vanilla to Paper keeps your world.
Why there is no install from a link
A plugin is code that runs with full access to your server. A jar from a forum post or a leaked premium plugin is the most common way a Minecraft server gets a backdoor. So the installer only works from its own catalogue, on purpose.
- Downloads come only from the file server of the Modrinth platform, not from any address somebody types.
- Every file is checked against its SHA-512 checksum before it is placed.
- Only .jar files up to 128 MB are accepted.
- Only stable releases are offered, never alpha or beta builds.
- Removing a plugin only touches the plugins folder, never your world.
Your own plugin
Wrote a plugin yourself or bought one from its author? Upload the jar in the file manager. The panel then shows it as a plugin of unknown origin, because it cannot vouch for a file it did not fetch itself.
Knowing when a plugin has an update
For plugins that came from the catalogue, the panel checks whether a newer build exists for your server software and version, and tells you. It compares the exact plugin, not just the start of a file name: an add-on such as EssentialsX Spawn is never offered as an update to EssentialsX itself.
Updating a plugin after a Minecraft version jump is the most common reason a server refuses to start. Take a backup first, update the plugins that depend on the game version, and read the first lines of the console. When a plugin still refuses to enable, plugin not loading walks through the usual causes.
Plugins most servers install first
| Plugin | What it is for | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| LuckPerms | Ranks and permissions per group | Whitelist and operator levels |
| EssentialsX | Homes, warps, kits and spawn | EssentialsX homes, warps and kits |
| CoreProtect | Look up and roll back griefing | Stop griefing |
| WorldEdit | Large building edits | WorldEdit on a server |
| DiscordSRV | Chat bridged to a Discord channel | Link chat to Discord |
| ViaVersion | Let newer clients join | Older and newer clients |
| Chunky | Generate terrain before players explore | Pregenerate with Chunky |
| Multiverse-Core | Several worlds on one server | Multiple worlds |
Written and checked against the panel by the Lodehost team, last reviewed on 17 September 2026.
