How do I install mods or plugins — from a catalog or from files? — Control Panel

Q: Which folder does each go in?

plugins for plugins, mods for mods.

Q: The Plugins tab 404s — why?

You're on Forge or Fabric, which use mods. Use the Mods tab instead.

For Minecraft, the panel gives you built-in installer tabs for both plugins and mods, and you can always drop files in manually too. The key thing to remember is that plugins and mods aren't interchangeable — each needs the matching kind of server software.

Plugins vs mods

Plugins run on the Paper/Spigot/Purpur family and live in the plugins folder. Mods run on Forge or Fabric and live in the mods folder. Install the wrong type and it simply won't load.

Installing add-ons

For plugins, use the Plugins tab to search and install, or upload .jar files into the plugins folder via Files.
For mods, use the Mods tab, or upload .jar files into the mods folder.
Restart from the Console tab after installing.

Warning: Plugins and mods are not interchangeable — plugins need Paper/Spigot-family software, mods need Forge/Fabric. See the Minecraft KB for details.

Tips & best practices

Install add-ons one at a time and restart, so a broken one is easy to identify. Back up first via Files or SFTP.

Frequently asked questions

Which folder does each go in? plugins for plugins, mods for mods.

The Plugins tab 404s — why? You're on Forge or Fabric, which use mods. Use the Mods tab instead.