Installation

Requirements

• Java 21+ - required. The plugin is compiled to Java 21 bytecode; on Java 17 or older it fails with UnsupportedClassVersionError. Check with java -version.
• Paper / Folia (or a Paper fork). Spigot is not supported.
• Minecraft 1.20.4 → 1.21.11+, as long as the server runs Java 21. (Most 1.20.4 servers run Java 17 - those must switch to 21 first.)
• PlaceholderAPI - optional soft dependency, recommended for placeholders.

Steps

1. Confirm java -version reports 21 or higher.
2. Stop the server.
3. Drop OptimalAFKZone.jar into plugins/.
4. (Optional) Add PlaceholderAPI.jar for placeholder support.
5. Start the server. The plugin generates its files and prints a startup banner.
6. Run /plugins - OptimalAFKZone should be green.

sqlite-jdbc and XSeries download automatically on first startup via Paper’s library loader, so the first launch needs internet access and may take a few extra seconds.

Generated files

plugins/OptimalAFKZone/
├─ config.yml            # global settings
├─ messages.yml          # every message
├─ zones/
│  └─ _template.yml      # template new zones copy from (no live zones ship)
├─ boosters/
│  ├─ shard2x.yml
│  └─ shard3x.yml
├─ shops/
│  └─ shards.yml         # default rotating shop
├─ guis/
│  └─ confirm.yml        # purchase confirmation menu
└─ data/
   └─ data.db            # SQLite player data (do not edit by hand)

No zones ship by default - create them in-game. Continue to Creating AFK Zones.