Understanding BungeeCord and the Need for Smart Whitelisting
Running a Minecraft server network with BungeeCord opens up endless possibilities for minigames, survival worlds, and creative hubs. However, managing player access across multiple servers can quickly become a headache. You might have a private server meant only for VIPs or staff, but if it was once public, players who logged out there can still reconnect directly. Kicking them from the network entirely feels harsh and disrupts their experience. That is where a clever plugin like Bungee Bounce steps in, offering a seamless way to redirect unwanted players without ever showing them a disconnect screen.
What Is Bungee Bounce?
Bungee Bounce is a lightweight BungeeCord plugin originally developed for the byte.org.uk server community. Its core purpose is to whitelist a specific server and gently bounce any non-whitelisted players to another server on your network. Unlike a traditional whitelist that simply blocks entry, this plugin actively moves players who are already on the protected server, ensuring they never get stuck or kicked. It works silently in the background, preserving the flow of your network while keeping exclusive areas secure.
Key Features at a Glance
- Add or remove players from the whitelist using simple in-game commands.
- List all currently whitelisted players for quick auditing.
- Choose the action taken when a non-whitelisted player is detected: run a console command, push to another BungeeCord server, or teleport to a WorldGuard region center.
- Customize the console command to execute, giving you full control over logging or additional triggers.
- Specify the target BungeeCord server where bounced players will land.
- WorldGuard support for region-based bouncing, always placing the player at height 65 in the region center.
How the Bounce Mechanics Work
The plugin monitors player connections to the whitelisted server. When a player who is not on the whitelist attempts to join, or is already present after a reload, Bungee Bounce immediately intervenes. Depending on your configuration, one of three actions occurs:
Action: command – Instead of moving the player, the plugin runs a predefined console command. This could be a warning message, a log entry, or a custom script that alerts staff.
Action: server – The player is seamlessly transferred to another BungeeCord server you specify. They never see a kick message; they simply find themselves in a different lobby or game world.
Action: region – If you use WorldGuard regions, the plugin teleports the player to the center of a named region at height 65, provided they are not already inside that region. This is perfect for creating a holding area or a guest zone without hard disconnects.
Commands and Permissions
Managing the whitelist is straightforward with three main commands, all requiring the bgb.admin permission node:
- /bgb add (player) – Adds a player to the whitelist.
- /bgb remove (player) – Removes a player from the whitelist.
- /bgb reload – Reloads the plugin configuration without restarting the proxy.
- /bgb list – Displays all whitelisted players in chat.
These commands give network administrators instant control, making it easy to adjust access on the fly during events or maintenance.
Setting Up Bungee Bounce on Your Network
Installation follows the standard BungeeCord plugin process. Download the plugin jar from its official Spigot resource page and place it into the plugins folder of your BungeeCord server. After a restart or a proxy reload, a configuration file will be generated. Inside, you can define the whitelisted server name, the action type, and the target server or command. For those who prefer a more streamlined approach to managing server-side mods, the foxygame.net launcher offers a modern and flexible way to download and install plugins like Bungee Bounce directly from its menu, saving you the hassle of manual file transfers. Once configured, simply issue /bgb reload to apply changes without downtime.
Why Bungee Bounce Beats Traditional Kicking
Standard whitelist plugins often disconnect players with a generic "You are not whitelisted" message, which can be confusing and frustrating. Bungee Bounce preserves the player's session by redirecting them to a valid destination. This keeps your network feeling polished and professional. It also prevents players from spamming reconnect attempts, as they are immediately moved rather than being kicked back to the server list. For large networks with dozens of servers, this subtle difference significantly improves user experience and reduces support tickets.
Practical Use Cases
Imagine a staff-only server where builders are working on upcoming maps. You whitelist the server, add your team members, and set the action to bounce intruders to the main hub. Even if a curious player somehow gets in, they are instantly sent to the hub without any disruption. Alternatively, you could use the region action to create a "visitor pen" inside a protected WorldGuard zone, allowing non-whitelisted players to look but not touch. The command action is ideal for logging unauthorized access attempts or triggering a Discord webhook via a custom script.
Final Thoughts on Smart Network Management
Bungee Bounce fills a small but critical gap in BungeeCord administration. It turns a harsh kick into a smooth redirection, maintaining the illusion of a seamless Minecraft universe. With its simple commands, flexible actions, and WorldGuard integration, it is a must-have for any network that values both security and player experience. Whether you run a handful of servers or a sprawling minigame empire, this plugin helps you keep the right players in the right places without ever breaking the magic of the game.