Command Guard
Running a Minecraft server comes with a constant challenge: keeping the command list clean and secure. Players often stumble upon sensitive commands through tab completion, or worse, use namespaced commands like /bukkit:plugins to peek behind the curtain. Command Guard is a lightweight Paper plugin designed to solve exactly that problem. It gives you absolute control over which commands are visible and usable, ensuring your server remains tidy and protected from prying eyes.
What Makes Command Guard Essential for Your Server
Command Guard operates on a simple yet powerful principle: block everything by default, then whitelist only the commands you want players to use. This approach eliminates the risk of accidentally exposing admin tools, plugin commands, or debug utilities. Unlike permission-based solutions that can be bypassed or misconfigured, Command Guard physically hides blocked commands from autocomplete and prevents their execution entirely. The result is a cleaner chat experience and a more secure server environment.
Key Features That Set Command Guard Apart
- Whitelist-only command execution – Only commands you explicitly allow will work; everything else is blocked.
- Hidden from autocomplete – Blocked commands vanish from tab completion, so players never even see them.
- Namespaced command protection – Automatically blocks colon-prefixed commands like
/minecraft:meor/essentials:msgthat can bypass standard permission checks. - OP bypass – Operators can be exempt from blocking, ensuring admins retain full access.
- Permission-based whitelist groups – Grant different command sets to different ranks using permissions.
- World-specific whitelists – Optionally allow certain commands only in specific worlds.
- Console logging – Every blocked command attempt is logged, helping you spot curious players or misconfigured setups.
- Reload and debug commands – Apply config changes without restarting, and test whether a player can use a command on the fly.
- Multi-language support – Available in Portuguese, English, Spanish, and German.
How to Install Command Guard on Your Paper Server
Getting started with Command Guard is straightforward. First, ensure your server runs Paper (or a compatible fork like Purpur) on Java 21. The plugin is built specifically for Paper, so while it may work on forks, official support is only guaranteed for Paper. To download Command Guard, grab the latest JAR file from the plugin's page and place it into your server's plugins folder. Then restart or run /reload confirm to load it.
If you're using the foxygame.net launcher, adding Command Guard is even simpler. The launcher's built-in add-on catalog lets you install Command Guard with a single click, automatically handling version compatibility and keeping the plugin updated without any manual file transfers. This makes it a breeze to maintain a secure command setup across multiple server instances.
Configuring Your Command Whitelist
Once installed, open the plugins/CommandGuard/config.yml file. The default configuration blocks all commands except a few basic ones. You'll see a whitelist section where you can list commands like /msg, /spawn, or /home. Use the op-bypass option to let operators run any command, and set hide-blocked to true to remove blocked commands from tab completion. The world-whitelist feature allows you to define per-world command sets, perfect for minigame hubs or creative plots.
Commands and Permissions at a Glance
Command Guard adds a handful of admin commands to manage the plugin in-game:
/commandguard– Shows the admin help menu./commandguard reload– Reloads the configuration without a server restart./commandguard check <player> <command>– Tests whether a specific player can use a command./commandguard list <player>– Displays all commands that player is allowed to use.
Permissions are equally straightforward. Give staff the commandguard.admin node to access the admin commands, and assign commandguard.bypass to anyone who should ignore all blocking and hiding. These can be combined with your existing permission plugin to create a seamless hierarchy.
Why Command Guard Beats Vanilla Permission Tweaks
Many server owners try to lock down commands using only a permissions plugin, but that approach has gaps. For instance, a player with no permission for /plugins can still type /bukkit:plugins and see the plugin list. Command Guard natively blocks all namespaced variants, closing that loophole. Additionally, hiding commands from autocomplete reduces clutter and prevents players from discovering commands they shouldn't even know exist. It's a proactive layer of defense that complements your existing permission setup.
Real-World Use Cases
Imagine a survival server where you want players to use only /home, /tpa, and /msg. With Command Guard, you whitelist those three commands, and everything else—including /help, /plugins, and any admin tools—becomes invisible and unusable. On a network hub, you can whitelist only /server and /hub, while in a creative world you might allow /gamemode for trusted ranks. The plugin's flexibility makes it suitable for any server type.
Keeping Your Server Up to Date
Command Guard is actively maintained to support the latest Paper builds and Java 21. When you download Command Guard for Minecraft, always check for updates to benefit from new features and compatibility fixes. The plugin's reload command makes updating painless—just replace the JAR and run /commandguard reload. For those who prefer a hands-off approach, the foxygame.net launcher can automate this process, ensuring your Command Guard installation stays current with the newest releases while you focus on building your community.
Final Thoughts
Command Guard for Minecraft is a must-have for any server administrator who values a clean, secure command environment. Its whitelist-first philosophy, combined with namespaced command blocking and tab hiding, offers protection that vanilla permissions simply can't match. Whether you run a small private server or a large public network, this plugin gives you the confidence that only the commands you intend are ever seen or used. Give it a try and experience the difference a truly controlled command list can make.