Plugins need Paper/Spigot — do I need to switch from Vanilla/Forge?
Plugins are a Bukkit-family feature, so if your server is running Vanilla or Forge, you'll need to switch to Paper (or another Bukkit-based build) before plugins will load. The good news: switching is a one-click job in the panel, and your existing world comes along for the ride.
Why you need Paper or Spigot
Plugins only run on the Bukkit family of server software — that's Paper, Spigot, and Purpur. Vanilla has no plugin API at all, and Forge uses mods instead (a completely different system). If you're on Vanilla or Forge and drop a plugin into a folder, nothing happens, because the software has no way to load it.
Switching to Paper gives you the plugins folder and the Plugins tab, and it keeps full Vanilla gameplay compatibility, so it's the natural home for a plugin-based server.
How to switch to Paper
- Open the Versions tab (the one-click software installer).
- Choose Paper and pick your Minecraft version and build.
- Leave Wipe Data off so your existing world is preserved.
- Install, then start the server from the Console.
Once it's running, your world carries over untouched, and the Plugins tab and the plugins folder are now active and ready to use.
Warning: Forge mods will not carry over when you move to Paper — the two systems are incompatible. On Paper, plugins replace mods entirely. If you need both mods and plugins together, look at a hybrid server instead.
Frequently asked questions
Will I lose my world when I switch? No, as long as you keep Wipe Data off during the install. Your world files stay in place and load normally on Paper.
Can I switch back to Forge later? Yes — reinstall Forge from the Versions tab. Just remember plugins won't work there, and be cautious about version downgrades, which can corrupt a world.
What about Purpur or Spigot? Both are also in the Bukkit family and support the same plugins. Paper is the most common choice for performance, but any of them will run your plugins.