Starting Notes
Starting Notes is a lightweight, server-friendly Minecraft mod that automatically gives players custom written books when they first join a world. Whether you run a multiplayer server and need to hand out rulebooks, or you are building an adventure map with rich lore, this mod puts the power of in-game books directly into your spawn routine. No more dropping written books manually or relying on command blocks—Starting Notes handles everything seamlessly from the moment a player appears.
What Starting Notes Does
At its core, Starting Notes adds one or more written books to a player’s inventory the first time they spawn in a world. The books are fully customizable: you decide the author, title, and every page of content. The mod supports Minecraft’s section sign (§) color and formatting codes, so you can create visually rich guides, rulebooks, or story-driven lore items. Once a player receives their books, they keep them until they choose to discard them. If you ever need a player to get the books again—for example, after a server reset or a map update—you can simply remove the scoreboard tag sn_spawned from that player. The next time they respawn, the books will reappear in their inventory.
How to Install Starting Notes
Installing Starting Notes is straightforward, especially if you are already familiar with Fabric modding. The mod is built for the Fabric loader and works on modern Minecraft versions, including 1.20, 1.19, and 1.18. To get started, you will need the Fabric API installed on both your client and server. Then, download Starting Notes from a trusted mod repository and place the .jar file into your mods folder. If you are setting up a server, the same file goes into the server’s mods directory. After a restart, the mod will generate its configuration folder automatically.
For players who prefer a more streamlined experience, the foxygame.net launcher offers a one-click install option for Starting Notes. Its built-in add-on catalog automatically matches the correct mod version to your game instance, so you never have to worry about compatibility issues or manual updates. Once installed through the launcher, Starting Notes stays up to date with the latest releases without any extra effort.
Configuring Your Custom Books
All configuration happens inside the config/StartingNotes/ folder. The mod uses two simple text files to define which books to give and what they contain. Here is how to set them up:
Creating a Book File
Each book you want to distribute needs its own .txt file. The structure is minimal but powerful:
- First line: The author’s name (e.g.,
Server Admin). - Second line: The book’s title (e.g.,
Welcome Guide). - Every line after that: Represents one page of the book. You can use
§codes to add colors, bold, italics, and other formatting. For example,§6§lWelcome!will display as bold gold text.
Save this file with a descriptive name, such as rules.txt or lore_volume1.txt, inside the config/StartingNotes/ folder.
Registering Books with books.txt
Next, you need to tell the mod which books to hand out. In the same config/StartingNotes/ folder, create or edit a file called books.txt. List the exact filenames of your book files, one per line. For example:
rules.txt lore_volume1.txt
When a new player spawns, they will receive all listed books in their inventory. The order in books.txt determines the order the books appear in the player’s inventory.
Practical Uses for Starting Notes
Server owners love Starting Notes because it eliminates the need for signs, chat spam, or external documentation. A well-crafted rulebook handed to every player on join sets expectations instantly. Adventure map creators use it to deliver quest logs, backstory, or hints without breaking immersion. Even single-player worlds benefit—imagine starting a new survival challenge with a custom guide that explains the unique rules you have set for yourself.
Because the mod relies on the vanilla written book item, players can always re-read the books by opening their inventory. The books are indistinguishable from any other written book, so they fit naturally into the game’s aesthetic. And since the mod only triggers on spawn, it has virtually no performance impact, even on large servers.
Reissuing Books to Existing Players
Sometimes you need to update your books or give them to players who have already joined. Starting Notes makes this easy with a simple scoreboard tag mechanic. Every player who receives the books gets the tag sn_spawned. To force a player to get the books again, remove that tag with a command:
/scoreboard players remove <player> sn_spawned 1
The next time that player respawns (for example, after dying), the mod will see the missing tag and give them the books again. This is perfect for rolling out updated rulebooks or adding new lore items mid-season.
Compatibility and Loader Support
Starting Notes is developed for the Fabric mod loader and is regularly updated for the latest Minecraft releases. While the original mod description mentions a possible Forge backport, the primary supported environment remains Fabric. Always check the mod’s official page for the most recent version list. If you are running a Fabric server, you can simply download Starting Notes and drop it into your mods folder alongside the Fabric API. The mod is designed to be lightweight and conflict-free, so it should work alongside most other server-side mods without issue.
Why Choose Starting Notes?
In a landscape filled with complex mods, Starting Notes stands out for its simplicity and focus. It does one thing—deliver custom books on spawn—and does it well. There is no bloat, no unnecessary GUI, and no performance overhead. The configuration is entirely file-based, making it easy to version-control your books or share them with other server admins. Whether you are running a small community server or a massive network, Starting Notes for Minecraft is a reliable tool that saves time and enhances the player experience from the very first moment they log in.
To get started, download Starting Notes today and transform how you welcome players to your world.