How to Edit bukkit.yml, spigot.yml, and Paper Configuration

Guide to the three main configuration files for Paper and Spigot servers.

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

Editing Config Files

Access the XGamingServer panel, go to Files, and open the config file you want to edit. Restart after making changes.

bukkit.yml

Controls basic Bukkit settings.

SettingDefaultDescription
spawn-limits.monsters70Max hostile mobs per player
spawn-limits.animals10Max passive mobs per player
chunk-gc.period-in-ticks600How often to unload empty chunks
ticks-per.monster-spawns1Ticks between mob spawn attempts

spigot.yml

Controls Spigot-specific optimizations.

SettingDefaultDescription
mob-spawn-range8Spawn radius in chunks
entity-activation-range.monsters32AI activation distance (blocks)
entity-activation-range.animals32AI activation distance (blocks)
merge-radius.item2.5Distance to merge dropped items
merge-radius.exp3.0Distance to merge XP orbs
view-distancedefaultOverride server view distance

Paper Configuration

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

SettingFileDescription
max-auto-save-chunks-per-tickworld-defaultsChunks saved per tick
anti-xray.enabledworld-defaultsAnti-cheat for xray
entity-per-chunk-save-limitworld-defaultsMax entities saved per chunk
prevent-moving-into-unloaded-chunksworld-defaultsPrevents players entering unloaded chunks
async-chunks.threadsglobalChunk loading thread count

💡 Tip: For performance optimization, the most impactful settings are in Paper's config. See the Performance Guide for recommended values.

⚠️ Warning: Always backup config files before editing. A YAML syntax error will prevent the file from loading. See Fix YAML Errors.

See also: Performance Guide | Mob Spawn Rate

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