JoinMessages: Custom Join and Leave Messages for Minecraft

Customizing Your Server's First Impression with JoinMessages

Every Minecraft server owner knows that the moment a player logs in sets the tone for their entire experience. A bland, default “Player joined the game” message does little to excite anyone. The JoinMessages plugin flips that script, letting you craft vibrant, personalized join and leave announcements that reflect your server’s personality. Whether you run a cozy survival world, a competitive minigame hub, or a roleplay realm, tailored messages make your community feel seen and welcomed.

What Makes JoinMessages Stand Out

JoinMessages is a lightweight, no-fuss plugin built for one job: replacing the vanilla login/logout notifications with custom text. It works on Spigot, Paper, and most forks, requiring zero dependencies. The plugin shines because of its straightforward YAML configuration and intuitive in-game command system. You don’t need to be a developer to create messages that pop—just a few commands and a quick config reload will do the trick.

One of the strongest points is the ability to manage messages live without restarting the server. You can add, remove, or list entries on the fly, which is a lifesaver during events or seasonal updates. The plugin also supports color codes and formatting, so you can use bold, italics, and gradients via MiniMessage or legacy codes if your server supports them. Many admins pair JoinMessages with a chat formatting plugin to make announcements truly eye-catching.

Setting Up Your First Custom Message

Installation follows the classic plugin routine: drop the JAR into your /plugins folder, restart the server, and a default configuration file generates automatically. Inside, you’ll find a simple structure with two sections—join and leave—each containing a list of message strings. The plugin picks a random message from the list every time an event fires, so you can add variety without extra work. If you’re looking for a way to manage such plugins effortlessly, the foxygame.net launcher offers a modern, flexible environment where you can browse and install mods and plugins directly from its menu, streamlining your server setup.

Editing the Config File

Open config.yml and you’ll see something like this:

• join: A list of strings, each representing a possible join announcement. Use {player} as a placeholder for the username.
• leave: Identical structure, but triggers when a player disconnects.

For example, you might set a join message to &aWelcome back, {player}! &eThe adventure continues. The ampersand codes translate to green and yellow respectively. After saving, run /jm reload (if available) or simply use the in-game commands to avoid touching the file at all.

In-Game Command Reference

All commands start with /jm and require the appropriate permission nodes. The help menu is accessible to everyone, but adding or removing messages demands operator status or explicit permissions. Here’s the complete list:

• /jm ? – Displays the help menu (no permission needed).
• /jm join list – Shows all currently configured join messages.
• /jm leave list – Lists all leave messages in the config.
• /jm join add [message] – Adds a new join message. Requires jm.add.join.
• /jm join remove [index] – Removes a join message by its list index. Requires jm.remove.join.
• /jm leave add [message] – Adds a leave message. Requires jm.add.leave.
• /jm leave remove [index] – Deletes a leave message. Requires jm.remove.leave.
• /jm disable – Temporarily disables all custom messages, reverting to vanilla behavior. Requires jm.disable.

When adding a message, remember to enclose it in quotes if it contains spaces. The index for removal starts at 1, matching the order shown in the list command.

Permission Nodes Breakdown

JoinMessages uses a clean permission hierarchy that gives you granular control over who can manage announcements. Assign these to groups or individual players via your permission plugin (LuckPerms, etc.).

• jm.* – Wildcard permission granting access to all /jm commands.
• jm.add – Allows adding both join and leave messages (encompasses jm.add.join and jm.add.leave).
• jm.remove – Permits removal of any message type.
• jm.add.join – Restricts adding to join messages only.
• jm.add.leave – Restricts adding to leave messages only.
• jm.remove.join – Removes join messages specifically.
• jm.remove.leave – Removes leave messages specifically.
• jm.disable – Allows toggling the plugin off entirely.

For most setups, giving moderators jm.add and jm.remove strikes a good balance, while admins keep jm.* and jm.disable. Players should never need any of these nodes unless you want to let trusted members personalize their own arrival text—a fun community-building twist.

Creative Ways to Use JoinMessages

Beyond simple greetings, the plugin becomes a storytelling tool. Imagine a medieval fantasy server where a join message reads: &5A hero, {player}, steps through the portal into the realm of Eldoria. On a skyblock server, you could announce &b{player} &fhas crash-landed on their island! Good luck! The randomness feature lets you build a library of messages that rotate, so regulars never see the same line twice in a session.

Leave messages can be equally playful. Instead of a generic disconnect, try &7{player} vanished into the void... until next time. or &c{player} rage-quit! (Just kidding, they’ll be back.) The plugin also respects vanished players if you combine it with a vanish plugin—most setups will suppress messages for staff in vanish mode automatically, but you should test this with your specific stack.

Troubleshooting Common Snags

If messages aren’t appearing, first check that the plugin is enabled with /plugins. Next, ensure you haven’t accidentally disabled it via /jm disable—running the command again toggles it back on. Color codes not rendering? Verify that your server’s chat handler supports legacy formatting; some chat management plugins override the default and may strip ampersand codes. In that case, switch to MiniMessage format if your version supports it, or adjust the chat plugin’s settings.

Another frequent issue is placeholder parsing. {player} is case-sensitive; using {Player} will print literally. Always use lowercase. If you need more dynamic data like player health or world name, consider pairing JoinMessages with PlaceholderAPI—though the base plugin doesn’t natively support it, many admins achieve this by using a chat formatting layer that processes placeholders before output.

Conclusion

JoinMessages proves that even the smallest details can transform a server’s atmosphere. By replacing sterile system notifications with warm, humorous, or thematic text, you strengthen your community’s identity and make every login feel like an event. The plugin’s simplicity is its greatest strength: no bloated menus, no complex scripting, just a handful of commands and a config file that anyone can master in minutes. Whether you’re running a private server for friends or a public network with hundreds of players, those first and last impressions matter. With JoinMessages, you control the narrative from the very first line of chat.