🔒 LuckPerms - Part 1: What is a Permissions Plugin and Why Use It?

❓ What is a Permissions Plugin?

Permissions plugins allow Minecraft server owners to have much greater control over the commands and abilities players can access while playing on their servers, without compromising the control over the server or making it vulnerable to malicious acts like griefing.

In many ways, permissions plugins act like a traffic cop 🚦, stopping some players while allowing others to proceed.

These plugins let you create groups and assign specific commands to those groups. Players are then assigned to these groups and inherit the allowed abilities and commands. You can also assign abilities directly to individual players if needed. Permissions plugins can also add other functionalities that enhance the players' experience on a server.

These plugins replace or improve the default built-in system in Minecraft, known as the “Operators” or “Ops” system (explained in more detail below). Some plugins have their own built-in permissions systems (like EssentialsX), but these are usually very limited and are often automatically disabled when they detect more advanced permissions systems on the server, such as LuckPerms.

Permissions plugins often work in conjunction with other plugins, as the permissions settings will determine which commands and functions from those plugins players can use. When a permissions plugin is properly configured to work with other plugins, it can allow or block users from using certain commands, disable items that are too powerful or unbalance the server, or even prevent players from affecting certain areas of the world. A properly configured permissions plugin is often the backbone 🦴 of an entire system of other plugins on a Minecraft server.

🎯 Why Use LuckPerms?

LuckPerms is one of the most commonly used permissions plugins, but there are others available.

Unfortunately, many of these other permissions plugins are no longer actively developed and have essentially been abandoned. They no longer receive new features, bug fixes, or support. Some haven't had updates in years, and some of their developers have even openly suggested that users switch to actively developed permissions plugins like LuckPerms.

🚫 Why Not Just Use the “Operators” System?

The standard built-in system in Minecraft, called Operators (commonly known as OP), allows you to grant users four levels of authority with varying powers.

Many of the commands a server owner might want players to use require higher levels of OP authority. Unfortunately, the Operators system follows an “all or nothing” approach. Once a player is given an OP level, they gain access to ALL abilities and commands at that level, including commands the server owner might not want available. For example, level 3 Operators can kick players from the server 👢, and level 4 Operators can stop the entire server 🛑 if they wish. Giving unrestricted OP access, especially to strangers on a public server, can make it easier for malicious people to cause problems on your server and impact the enjoyment of other players. It's recommended not to give OP level 4 to anyone who isn’t trustworthy and a senior player on your server. Many server owners reserve that level of OP authority only for themselves.

By installing a permissions plugin like LuckPerms, you can allow the use of specific commands that would normally only be available to those with an OP level while blocking others—something that simply isn't possible with Minecraft’s current default OP system.

🛠️ Requirements

To use permissions plugins in Minecraft, or any other type of plugin, you first need to install a plugin manager on your server. Versions of LuckPerms are available for both Spigot and Sponge plugin managers. Spigot is used on servers that only have plugins and no mods. Sponge comes in two versions—one for plugin-only servers and another that works with Forge and Forge mods. More information on these plugin manager versions and which Minecraft versions they work with is provided in Part 2 of this series, "LuckPerms - Part 2: Installation, Setup, and Configuration."

NOTE: Depending on the plugin manager you install, your server may need additional RAM to handle the extra processes required, which could increase the cost of operating the server.

⚠️ Understand the Immediate Effects of Adding LuckPerms to Your Server

When you add a permissions plugin to your server, it immediately blocks and locks down all commands and abilities on your server. The default response to any command request when a permissions plugin is installed is “NO!” 🚫 The plugin will only say “YES!” ✅ and grant access when it checks a list of users, groups, and allowed commands.

Unfortunately, if you haven't created that list yet, there’s nothing for the plugin to check. It will say “NO!” to every command request, from any user (including the server owner). Keep this in mind, as until the necessary information for the permissions plugin is created, all commands and abilities will be unavailable to players on the server. If the required information is later removed (such as deleting the database or text file), it will once again lock all access to commands and abilities (as the default response is “NO!” to everything).

📝 Define Groups and Commands

Another thing to consider before installing a permissions plugin like LuckPerms is to set up rough guidelines about what the groups will be and what commands will be available to each group.

• What commands do you want players to be able to use?

• What commands do you not want them to use?

• What areas are off-limits?

• What items will be disabled or “banned”?

• Who will have access to server maintenance commands?

• Who will have unrestricted access to everything?

Next, make a list of your players and decide which groups they will be classified into when you set up the plugin.

Best Regards,

João @PixelHost.