WhosNearMe: See Nearby Players on Your Minecraft Server

What Is the WhosNearMe Plugin for Minecraft Servers?

Running a multiplayer Minecraft server often means managing dozens of players across sprawling worlds. Whether you are hosting a survival realm, a faction wars arena, or a roleplay community, knowing who is lurking nearby can be crucial for gameplay and moderation. The WhosNearMe plugin brings that exact functionality to your Bukkit or Spigot server. It allows players with the right permissions to scan their immediate area and see a list of all online players within a chosen block radius. Think of it as a personal radar that respects server rules and rank limitations.

Originally suggested by the community, this lightweight plugin has evolved through several versions, adding cooldowns, configurable messages, and full range-based permission control. It is a simple yet powerful tool that puts the server owner firmly in charge of who can track whom, and from how far away.

How the /wnear Command Works

The core of WhosNearMe is the /wnear <range> command. A player types it in chat, specifying a number of blocks, and the plugin instantly returns the names and distances of every player inside that radius. For example, /wnear 150 would list all players within 150 blocks of the sender. If nobody is around, a customizable message appears—something like “There is nobody around you right now,” which you can edit in the configuration file.

What makes this plugin truly flexible is its permission system. Instead of a single global permission, WhosNearMe creates dynamic permission nodes based on the exact range a player tries to use. So if you want a VIP group to check up to 500 blocks, you assign the node wnm.nearby.500. A moderator might get wnm.nearby.1000, while a regular player might only have wnm.nearby.75. This granular control prevents abuse and keeps the feature balanced across different ranks.

Commands and Administration

Server operators have a few extra commands at their disposal to manage the plugin without restarting the server:

• /whosnearme – Displays the current version of the plugin installed.
• /whosnearme reload – Reloads the configuration file, applying any changes you made to messages, cooldowns, or the prefix without downtime.
• /wnear <range> – The player-facing command to check nearby players. If a player types just /wnear without a number, the plugin now shows an example usage to guide them.

Administrators also have the wnm.reload permission (default for operators) to reload the config. All other permissions are range-based, so you never have to worry about a player exceeding their allowed scanning radius.

Configuration Options and Cooldowns

The WhosNearMe config.yml is straightforward but packed with useful tweaks. Here are the key settings you can adjust:

• prefix – A text prefix displayed before every WhosNearMe message. You can set it to something like [Radar] or disable it entirely by typing false.
• noOneAroundMessage – The message shown when the /wnear command finds zero players. Full color codes are supported, so you can make it fit your server’s style.
• onCooldownMessage – Shown when a player tries to use a range that is currently on cooldown.
• cooldowns – A list of range-to-cooldown pairs in seconds. For example, adding 500: 60 means any player using /wnear 500 must wait 60 seconds before using that same range again. This prevents spam and adds a strategic layer to player tracking.

If a player has permission for a range but no cooldown is set for it, they can use the command freely. This dual system gives you precise control over how often the feature can be used at different distances.

Installation and Getting Started

Setting up WhosNearMe is as simple as it gets. Download the latest WhosNearMe.jar file, drop it into your server’s plugins folder, and restart the server. The plugin will generate a default config.yml, and you can then edit it to your liking. For server owners who prefer a more streamlined approach to plugin management, the foxygame.net launcher provides a modern and flexible way to browse and install plugins directly from its menu—saving you the hassle of manual file transfers and restarts. Once installed, use /whosnearme reload after any config changes, and you are ready to go.

Permissions in Detail

The permission structure is what sets WhosNearMe apart from simpler /near plugins. Instead of one catch-all node, you create nodes that mirror the exact ranges you want to allow. Here are a couple of examples:

• wnm.nearby.175 – Grants the ability to use /wnear up to 175 blocks. Description: “Allows the group/player to use the /wnear command up to 175 blocks away.”
• wnm.nearby.6928 – For a much larger radius, perhaps for admins who need to monitor the entire map. Description: “Allows the group/player to use the /wnear command up to 6928 blocks away.”

You can assign these nodes to groups using any permission manager like LuckPerms or PermissionsEx. The plugin automatically checks if the player has a node matching the number they typed. If they try /wnear 300 but only have wnm.nearby.200, the command will fail silently, maintaining server integrity.

Evolution and Changelog Highlights

WhosNearMe started as a basic proximity checker and has grown with community feedback. Early versions introduced fully customizable ranges and the no-players message. Version 1.0 added the cooldown system, which was a game-changer for preventing spam on busy servers. Later, v1.1 fixed minor bugs, and v1.15 expanded compatibility up to Minecraft 1.11 while also improving the command output. Now, when a player uses /wnear, the result includes the exact distance of each found player, making it easier to gauge proximity at a glance.

Throughout its development, the plugin has remained lightweight and focused, never trying to do too much. That is why it remains a reliable choice for server admins who want a no-fuss proximity tool.

Why Your Server Needs WhosNearMe

In a game where stealth, collaboration, and competition often depend on knowing who is around the next corner, WhosNearMe fills a vital niche. It empowers players to make informed decisions—whether they are avoiding a known griefer, meeting up with friends, or checking if a rival faction is scouting their base. For staff, it is an invaluable moderation aid that can help detect stalkers or confirm player locations during disputes.

The plugin’s permission-based design ensures that you never lose control. You decide exactly how far each rank can see, how often they can check, and what messages they receive. Combined with an easy installation process and a clean configuration file, WhosNearMe is a must-have for any server that values both player experience and administrative oversight. Give your community the gift of situational awareness—without breaking the balance of your world.