How to Run Bukkit Plugins on a Fabric Server with Cardboard
Learn about Cardboard (formerly Bukkit4Fabric) for running Bukkit plugins on Fabric servers.
Cardboard (formerly Bukkit4Fabric) is a Fabric mod that provides a Bukkit/Spigot API compatibility layer, allowing you to run some Bukkit plugins on a Fabric server alongside Fabric mods.
Important Limitations
Before installing Cardboard, understand its limitations:
| Feature | Status |
|---|---|
| Basic Bukkit plugins | Partial support |
| Complex plugins (WorldEdit, etc.) | Often incompatible |
| NMS-dependent plugins | Not supported |
| Fabric mods | Full support |
| Stability | Experimental |
⚠️ Warning: Cardboard is experimental and has significant compatibility limitations. Many popular Bukkit plugins won't work correctly. For a reliable plugin experience, use Paper/Spigot instead. For Fabric mod + server management, look into Fabric-native server mods.
Installing Cardboard
Set up a Fabric server
Ensure your server runs Fabric. Check your server type in Startup on the XGamingServer panel.
Download Cardboard
Get the latest version from the Cardboard GitHub or CurseForge page matching your Minecraft and Fabric version.
Upload to the mods folder
Upload the Cardboard .jar to your /mods/ folder via Files.
Add Fabric API
Cardboard requires Fabric API. Download it from Modrinth and add it to /mods/.
Restart the server
Restart from Console. Cardboard will create a /plugins/ folder.
Install Bukkit plugins
Place Bukkit plugin .jar files in the newly created /plugins/ folder, then restart.
What Works and What Doesn't
Generally works
- Simple command plugins
- Basic chat plugins
- Some economy plugins
- Simple utility plugins
Generally doesn't work
- Plugins using NMS (net.minecraft.server) code
- Complex world management plugins
- Advanced protection plugins (WorldGuard, GriefPrevention)
- Plugins with many dependencies
- Plugins using Spigot-specific APIs
Better Alternatives
For most use cases, there are better options:
| Need | Instead of Cardboard, use... |
|---|---|
| Plugins + mods | SpongeForge (Forge + Sponge plugins) |
| Just plugins | Paper/Spigot (full Bukkit support) |
| Just mods | Fabric or Forge (no plugins needed) |
| Server management on Fabric | Fabric-native mods (LuckPerms Fabric, etc.) |
Many popular Bukkit plugins have Fabric-native versions:
- LuckPerms — Has a Fabric version
- WorldEdit — Has a Fabric version (FAWE)
- Dynmap — Has a Fabric version
- BlueMap — Native Fabric support
💡 Tip: Before using Cardboard, check if your needed plugins have native Fabric versions. Fabric-native mods are more stable and performant than running through a compatibility layer.
📝 Note: Cardboard development can be sporadic. Check that it supports your Minecraft version before committing to it for your server setup.
See also: Server Types Explained | Install Sponge Plugins | Installing Mods
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