Before you start
Your server's software type determines what you can install from the Mods/Plugins tab:
- Plugins (compiled against Bukkit's API) work on Paper, Spigot, Purpur, Folia, Velocity, Waterfall, and BungeeCord.
- Mods work on Forge, NeoForge, Fabric, and Quilt.
- Arclight, Mohist, and Magma are hybrid servers and can run mods and plugins together.
The tab automatically opens on the right category (Mods or Plugins) based on your server's software, and results are filtered to match your installed Minecraft version and mod loader.
Finding and installing content
- Open the Mods/Plugins tab and use the search bar, or browse the catalog (powered by CurseForge).
- Click a result to open its version list, filtered to versions compatible with your server's Minecraft version and loader.
- Click Install next to the version you want.
Installed files are placed automatically into the correct folder — /mods for mods, /plugins for plugins — based on what you selected.
Dependencies
Many mods require other mods (libraries or APIs) to function. When you select a mod, check the Dependencies tab in the install dialog — it lists any required dependencies so you can install them the same way before starting your server.
Applying changes
New mods and plugins are picked up on the next server restart. If you're installing several at once, it's more efficient to install them all first and then restart once.
Troubleshooting
Mixing loader-specific mods — for example, installing a Fabric mod on a Forge server — is the most common cause of a server failing to start after adding new content. Always match a mod's required loader (Forge/Fabric/NeoForge/Quilt) to your server's software.
Next steps
Looking for a curated pack instead of installing mods one at a time? See Installing Modpacks. Before a large mod change, take a backup — see Managing Backups & Restoring Your Server.