Cleveland's Custom Blocks

Minecraft has always been about building, but what if the vanilla block palette feels too limiting? Enter Cleveland's Custom Blocks, a lightweight and robust plugin that lets server owners and map makers introduce entirely new blocks into the game without complex mods. Whether you want decorative furniture, functional machines, or unique adventure map elements, this add-on delivers a clean, performance-friendly solution. It is built for Paper servers running version 1.21.4 and later, leveraging Kotlin and JDK 21 for modern efficiency.

What Makes Cleveland's Custom Blocks Stand Out?

Unlike bulky mods that require client-side installations, Cleveland's Custom Blocks for Minecraft works purely on the server side. It uses a clever combination of an invisible barrier block and an item display entity to render your custom model. This means players only need a compatible resource pack to see the blocks exactly as you designed them. The plugin is intentionally simple: no commands to memorize for placement, no laggy ticking processes. You just place the block like any other, and the magic happens.

Core Features at a Glance

• Seamless Placement: Place a custom block and the plugin instantly replaces it with a collision-enabled barrier and a floating model.
• Right-Click Actions: Execute commands as player or console when interacting with the block. Use $clicker to dynamically insert the player's name.
• Left-Click Removal: In Creative mode, the block vanishes without drops. In Survival, it drops the corresponding custom item.
• Smart Stacking: The plugin respects the base item's maximum stack size and splits large give commands into multiple stacks automatically.
• Chunk Management: Use /ccbs chunk GET to list all custom blocks in a chunk, or /ccbs chunk CLEANUP to forcibly remove them if something goes wrong.

How to Install Cleveland's Custom Blocks

Getting started is straightforward. First, ensure your server runs Paper 1.21.4 or newer. Then, download Cleveland's Custom Blocks from the official source. The file will be named something like ClevelandCustomBlocks-[version].jar. Place this JAR into your server's plugins/ folder and restart. On first launch, the plugin creates a data directory at plugins/ClevelandCustomBlocks/ and copies a default define.yml configuration file there. That is where you will define every custom block's properties.

If you are using a launcher like foxygame.net, the process becomes even simpler. The launcher's built-in add-on catalog often includes Cleveland's Custom Blocks for one-click installation, and it can automatically keep the plugin updated to the latest version while ensuring perfect compatibility with your Paper server setup.

Setting Up Your Resource Pack

For custom blocks to appear correctly, you must provide a resource pack that contains the models and textures referenced in your define.yml. The plugin does not generate the pack for you, but the configuration wiki explains exactly how to structure it. Once your pack is ready, you can either distribute it manually or use the server's force server-resourcepack option to push it to all players automatically. Without the pack, blocks will show as barriers, so this step is crucial.

Configuring Your Custom Blocks

All definitions live in define.yml. Each block entry requires a unique pack:id, the base item (what you hold to place it), the model path, and an optional action section for right-click commands. The plugin supports multiple blocks per definition, so you can create entire themed sets. After editing the file, run /ccbs reload to apply changes without restarting the server. The reload command also reports any warnings or errors, making debugging painless.

Example Configuration Snippet

Here is a minimal example of what a definition might look like:

my_pack:ruby_block:
  baseItem: minecraft:paper
  model: my_pack:block/ruby_block
  action:
    player:
      - "say $clicker clicked a ruby block!"

This creates a block that, when right-clicked, triggers a chat message. You can replace the command with anything your server supports, from opening GUIs to teleporting players.

Commands and Permissions

The plugin keeps permissions simple. By default, only operators have access to the clevelandcustomblocks.use permission, which covers all commands. You can grant it to specific groups if needed. The main commands are:

• /ccbs give [player|@selector] [pack:id] [amount] – Gives custom block items to players.
• /ccbs reload – Reloads the configuration.
• /ccbs chunk GET – Displays custom blocks in the current chunk.
• /ccbs chunk CLEANUP – Removes all custom blocks from the chunk.

Why Choose Cleveland's Custom Blocks Over Other Solutions?

Many custom block plugins are either overly complex or abandon the vanilla feel. Cleveland's Custom Blocks for Minecraft strikes a perfect balance. It does not require players to learn new interfaces; they simply place and break blocks as usual. The plugin's use of item displays means models can be rotated, scaled, and even animated through the resource pack. Server performance remains high because there are no constant entity checks beyond normal Minecraft mechanics.

Another advantage is its focus on the Paper software. By targeting Paper 1.21.4+, the developer can use modern API features and optimizations that Spigot or Bukkit might lack. This ensures stability and forward compatibility. If you ever need to troubleshoot, the plugin provides clear error messages. For instance, if a placed block shows as a barrier, you know the resource pack is missing. If right-click actions fail, the action: section likely has a syntax issue.

Creative Uses and Community Ideas

Server owners have used Cleveland's Custom Blocks to add everything from working sinks and chairs to interactive quest boards. Because the action system supports both player and console commands, you can integrate it with other plugins like economy or quest systems. Imagine a custom "mailbox" block that runs a command to open a GUI, or a "healing crystal" that applies a regeneration effect. The only limit is your imagination and your resource pack design skills.

Final Thoughts

If you are looking to expand your Minecraft server's block variety without overwhelming your players or your server's CPU, Cleveland's Custom Blocks is an excellent choice. Its clean codebase, straightforward installation, and powerful yet simple configuration make it accessible even to those new to server administration. Remember to download Cleveland's Custom Blocks from a trusted source, prepare a matching resource pack, and you will be placing custom blocks in minutes. Whether you run a small community server or a large network, this plugin scales gracefully and adds that extra layer of creativity your world deserves.