Red flags when choosing your plugins

The size of the .jar file says a lot about the code quality.

🚩 Red Flags:

• A simple plugin (e.g., basic chat or TP commands) that weighs +5 MB.

• Extremely obfuscated code (unreadable even with decompilers).

Why does it matter?

• Poor optimization: Indicates duplicated or unnecessary libraries that will devour your RAM.

• Hidden malware: Often, the extra weight is malicious code hidden among "junk" to avoid detection by simple antiviruses.

• Extreme obfuscation in public plugins is usually used to hide backdoors (legitimate developers rarely need to hide their code so aggressively).

5. Configuration and Customization: Say NO to Hard-Coding

Your server is unique; plugins should adapt to it, not the other way around.

🚩 Red Flags:

• The plugin doesn't generate a configuration folder or only creates an empty config.yml.

• Messages, prefixes, or commands are hardcoded (written inside the Java code and not editable).

• Fixed permissions with no option to change them.

The Problem:

This breaks immersion (your players will see messages in English mixed with Spanish), limits your control, and demonstrates laziness on the programmer's part.

✅ What a good plugin must have:

• A complete config.yml file with explanatory comments.

• A messages.yml file or lang/ folder for translation.

• Permissions well documented in the wiki or main page.

6. Support and Communication

When something fails (and it will), you need to know who to turn to.

🚩 Red Flags:

• Expired or empty support Discord link.

• GitHub repository without the "Issues" tab enabled or with bugs open for years without a response.

• Developer denying errors or simply saying "we cannot replicate it."

• Private developer profile or a history of bans.

7. Excessive Permissions and Hidden Dependencies

Many administrators install plugins without checking this, opening security breaches.

🚩 Red Flags:

• Asks for unnecessary permissions (e.g., a chat plugin asking for worldedit.* or read/write access to the server root folder).

• Undeclared "soft" dependencies (the plugin seems to work, but silently breaks mechanics if you don't have another plugin installed).

✅ Always check:

The "Permissions" section in the documentation and use tools like PlugMan to verify what dependencies it is actually loading.

8. Green Flags: Signs of a Quality Plugin

Not to focus only on the negative, here are the signs that you have found a gem:

✅ Green Flags:

• Open Source code on GitHub with recent activity (commits in the last month).

• More than 1,000 downloads and a rating higher than 4.5 stars.

• Native support for Paper/Purpur (uses modern and asynchronous APIs).

• Developer with a solid reputation (years in the community).

• Public performance tests (e.g., links to Spark reports).

🛠 Essential Tools for "Paranoid" Admins (Bonus)

If you want to take security to the next level, use these tools:

1. VirusTotal: Upload the .jar before installing. It doesn't detect all Minecraft malware, but it filters common Java trojans.

2. JD-GUI / CFR: Free decompilers. Open them to take a quick look at the code (look for connections to strange IPs).

3. Spark Profiler: Use the command /spark profiler to identify abnormal CPU or memory consumption caused by a specific plugin.

4. PlugMan: Allows you to load/unload plugins without restarting the server (ideal for quick tests in test environments).

5. Local Test Server: Never install a new plugin directly on your main server. Always test it locally first.

Please take care of your server, seriously!

Choosing plugins isn't just about looking for who promises the most features. It is a strategic security and performance decision that directly affects your players' experience.

Always ask yourself:

Do I trust this developer 100%? Does it pass all the Red Flags? Would I test it on a test server first?

A clean, optimized, and secure server retains players for years. One full of junk scares them away in days.

Protect your investment and happy admin-ing! 🚀