# How to Edit Minecraft bukkit.yml, spigot.yml, and Paper Configs (/docs/minecraft/edit-bukkit-spigot-paper-configs)



Paper/Spigot servers have three main config files beyond `server.properties`. Each controls different aspects of server behavior.

Editing Config Files [#editing-config-files]

Access the [XGamingServer panel](https://panel.xgamingserver.com), go to `Files`, and open the config file you want to edit. Restart after making changes.

bukkit.yml [#bukkityml]

Controls basic Bukkit settings.

| Setting                    | Default | Description                      |
| -------------------------- | ------- | -------------------------------- |
| `spawn-limits.monsters`    | 70      | Max hostile mobs per player      |
| `spawn-limits.animals`     | 10      | Max passive mobs per player      |
| `chunk-gc.period-in-ticks` | 600     | How often to unload empty chunks |
| `ticks-per.monster-spawns` | 1       | Ticks between mob spawn attempts |

spigot.yml [#spigotyml]

Controls Spigot-specific optimizations.

| Setting                            | Default | Description                     |
| ---------------------------------- | ------- | ------------------------------- |
| `mob-spawn-range`                  | 8       | Spawn radius in chunks          |
| `entity-activation-range.monsters` | 32      | AI activation distance (blocks) |
| `entity-activation-range.animals`  | 32      | AI activation distance (blocks) |
| `merge-radius.item`                | 2.5     | Distance to merge dropped items |
| `merge-radius.exp`                 | 3.0     | Distance to merge XP orbs       |
| `view-distance`                    | default | Override server view distance   |

Paper Configuration [#paper-configuration]

Paper uses `config/paper-global.yml` and `config/paper-world-defaults.yml` (1.19+).

| Setting                               | File           | Description                               |
| ------------------------------------- | -------------- | ----------------------------------------- |
| `max-auto-save-chunks-per-tick`       | world-defaults | Chunks saved per tick                     |
| `anti-xray.enabled`                   | world-defaults | Anti-cheat for xray                       |
| `entity-per-chunk-save-limit`         | world-defaults | Max entities saved per chunk              |
| `prevent-moving-into-unloaded-chunks` | world-defaults | Prevents players entering unloaded chunks |
| `async-chunks.threads`                | global         | Chunk loading thread count                |

> 💡 **Tip:** For performance optimization, the most impactful settings are in Paper's config. See the [Performance Guide](/docs/minecraft/optimize-server) for recommended values.

> ⚠️ **Warning:** Always backup config files before editing. A YAML syntax error will prevent the file from loading. See [Fix YAML Errors](/docs/minecraft/find-fix-yaml-errors).

See also: [Performance Guide](/docs/minecraft/optimize-server) | [Mob Spawn Rate](/docs/minecraft/change-mob-spawn-rate)

If you need help, join our [Discord](https://discord.xgamingserver.com/).