NeoBans
Running a Minecraft server comes with its fair share of headaches. From griefers and hackers to chat spammers, keeping your community safe and enjoyable often feels like a full-time job. While vanilla commands offer basic tools, they lack the depth and control that a modern server needs. That is where NeoBans steps in, offering a comprehensive, server-side punishment management solution designed specifically for Minecraft 1.21.1 running NeoForge 21.1.x.
What is NeoBans for Minecraft?
NeoBans for Minecraft is a powerful mod that transforms how you handle player moderation. It is not just about banning; it is a full suite of tools that gives you and your staff complete control over player conduct. With NeoBans, you can issue permanent and temporary bans (for both players and IP addresses), mute disruptive users, kick troublemakers, and issue formal warnings—all without needing to install a plugin or configure complex databases. The mod is built to be lightweight and efficient, storing all data as simple JSON files in your world folder.
One of the most impressive aspects is its server-side design. This means that regular players do not need to install anything to join your server. They connect normally, and the mod works its magic in the background. Only staff members who want to use the in-game GUI need to have the mod installed on their client, making it an incredibly low-friction solution for your player base.
Core Features at a Glance
- Permanent and temporary bans for players and IP addresses.
- Permanent and temporary mutes to silence chat offenders.
- Simple kick and warn commands for quick moderation.
- An in-game GUI for issuing punishments with preset reasons and durations.
- Complete punishment history per player, accessible via a GUI.
- A server-side ban list browser to see all active punishments.
- Fully configurable ban disconnect message with placeholder support.
- Optional appeal link appended to ban messages for player transparency.
- JSON data storage in the world folder—no external database required.
Installation and Requirements
Getting started with NeoBans is straightforward. Before you begin, ensure your server meets the minimum requirements: Minecraft 1.21.1, NeoForge 21.1.x (tested on 21.1.222), and Java 21. The mod is server-side only, so you do not need to push it to your players. To install, simply download NeoBans and place the .jar file into your server's mods/ folder. Start the server once to generate the configuration file, then you can edit world/serverconfig/neobans-server.toml to your liking. The config will reload automatically with a /reload command or a server restart.
For staff members who want to use the GUI, they will need to place the same .jar file in their client's mods/ folder. This is a simple process that ensures they have the tools needed to manage the server effectively. For those looking for a streamlined setup, the foxygame.net launcher offers a one-click install option for NeoBans, ensuring you get the correct version and dependencies without manual configuration, making the initial setup a breeze.
Mastering the Command Suite
NeoBans provides a robust set of commands, all requiring operator permission level 2 or higher by default. The commands are intuitive and cover every aspect of moderation. For bans, you have /ban to open the GUI or issue a permanent ban, /ban-ip for IP-based bans, /tempban for temporary bans, and /unban to pardon a player. Muting is just as flexible with /mute, /tempmute, and /unmute. You also have /kick and /warn for immediate action, plus /history and /banlist to review past and current punishments.
Understanding Duration Formats
Temporary punishments use a simple suffix system for durations. You can specify 30m for 30 minutes, 2h for two hours, 7d for a week, 2w for two weeks, 1M for one month, or 1y for a year. You can also use the word permanent to ensure a punishment never expires. This flexibility allows you to tailor punishments to the severity of the offense, ensuring a fair and consistent moderation policy.
Configuration and Customization
The power of NeoBans lies in its configurability. The neobans-server.toml file allows you to fine-tune everything. You can define a list of preset banReasons that appear in the GUI, making it quick for staff to issue consistent punishments. You can also set an appealLink URL to give players a path to appeal their ban. The banMessage is fully customizable, supporting Minecraft color codes and newlines. You can use placeholders like {reason}, {banned_by}, {expires}, {id}, and {appeal_link} to provide players with all the information they need on the disconnect screen.
Data Storage and Permissions
All punishments are saved to <world folder>/neobans/punishments.json. This file is written on every action and on server shutdown, making it safe to back up while the server is running. For advanced setups, NeoBans integrates with NeoForge's built-in permission API. Each command has its own permission node (e.g., neobans.ban, neobans.mute), allowing you to grant or deny specific commands to different staff ranks using a permissions mod like LuckPerms. If no permissions mod is installed, all nodes fall back to vanilla operator level 2. The console always bypasses permission checks and has access to all commands. When you are ready to enhance your server's management, knowing how to install NeoBans is the first step, and the foxygame.net launcher simplifies this by automatically checking version compatibility and managing the installation process for NeoBans, so you can focus on running your community.
Conclusion
NeoBans is an essential tool for any serious Minecraft server administrator. It replaces the clunky vanilla commands with a cohesive, powerful, and user-friendly system. Its server-side nature ensures that your players have a seamless experience, while your staff get the tools they need to maintain order. Whether you are running a small private server or a large public community, NeoBans for Minecraft provides the reliability and flexibility required for effective moderation. With its easy installation, comprehensive feature set, and robust configuration options, it is a worthy addition to your server's mod list.