# How to Install Vault on Your Minecraft Server (/docs/minecraft/setup-vault)



import { Step, Steps } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/steps';

**Vault** is an invisible glue plugin. It doesn't add commands, players never see it, and it doesn't do anything by itself. What it does is let other plugins **talk to each other** about economy, permissions, and chat. Without Vault, your shop plugin can't read EssentialsX balances, your chat plugin can't see LuckPerms prefixes, and your reward plugin can't deposit money.

If you're installing EssentialsX, LuckPerms, a shop plugin, or any economy plugin — install Vault first.

What Vault Does [#what-vault-does]

Vault is an **API bridge**, not a feature plugin. It defines a common interface that multiple plugins implement and consume:

```
┌─────────────┐    ┌─────────┐    ┌────────────┐
│ EssentialsX │───►│         │◄───│ ShopGUIPlus│
│  (provides) │    │  Vault  │    │ (consumes) │
└─────────────┘    │   API   │    └────────────┘
                   │         │
┌─────────────┐    │         │    ┌────────────┐
│  LuckPerms  │───►│         │◄───│ DeluxeChat │
│  (provides) │    │         │    │ (consumes) │
└─────────────┘    └─────────┘    └────────────┘
```

| Service                  | Provider plugins                       | Consumer plugins                                  |
| ------------------------ | -------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
| **Economy**              | EssentialsX, CMI, TheNewEconomy        | Shop plugins, auction houses, mcMMO rewards, jobs |
| **Permissions**          | LuckPerms, PermissionsEx, GroupManager | Most plugins that check permissions               |
| **Chat (prefix/suffix)** | LuckPerms (with metadata)              | EssentialsX Chat, DeluxeChat, VentureChat         |

Install Vault [#install-vault]

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Download Vault [#download-vault]

    Download from [SpigotMC](https://www.spigotmc.org/resources/vault.34315/) or [Hangar](https://hangar.papermc.io/). Vault works on Bukkit, Spigot, Paper, Folia, and Purpur.

    > **Naming:** Look for `Vault.jar` (not `VaultUnlocked` or `Vaults` — those are different plugins).
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Stop the server [#stop-the-server]

    In the [XGamingServer Panel](https://panel.xgamingserver.com), open **Console** and stop your server.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Upload to plugins/ [#upload-to-plugins]

    Click **Files** in the sidebar and upload `Vault.jar` to `plugins/`. You can install it alongside your provider plugins (EssentialsX, LuckPerms) in the same restart.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Start the server [#start-the-server]

    Start from **Console**. Vault auto-detects compatible plugins on startup. There is **no config file to edit** — it just works.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Verify it loaded [#verify-it-loaded]

    In Console:

    ```
    plugins
    ```

    `Vault` should appear in green. Then check that providers were detected:

    ```
    vault-info
    ```

    Output should show what's hooked, e.g.:

    ```
    [Vault] Economy: Essentials [Active]
    [Vault] Permissions: LuckPerms [Active]
    [Vault] Chat: EssentialsChat [Active]
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

The Standard Server Stack [#the-standard-server-stack]

For a typical survival server with economy and ranks, install in this order:

1. **Vault** — bridge
2. **LuckPerms** — permissions provider ([guide](/docs/minecraft/setup-luckperms))
3. **EssentialsX** — economy provider + commands ([guide](/docs/minecraft/setup-essentialsx))
4. **EssentialsXChat** — chat formatting consumer
5. **Your shop plugin** — economy consumer (ShopGUIPlus, ChestShop, etc.)

Restart once after all are installed. Run `vault-info` to confirm everything hooked.

Common Issues [#common-issues]

| Problem                                    | Fix                                                                                         |
| ------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Shop plugin says "no economy plugin found" | Vault not installed, or no economy provider (install EssentialsX)                           |
| Chat prefixes don't show                   | Vault + LuckPerms + a chat plugin (EssentialsXChat) all required                            |
| `vault-info` shows `[Inactive]`            | Provider plugin failed to load — check Console for its error                                |
| Multiple economy plugins                   | Vault picks one — set `economy:` in `plugins/Vault/config.yml` to force the choice          |
| Vault loaded before provider               | Plugins load alphabetically — Vault and providers should auto-resolve, but check load order |
| Plugin updates broke Vault                 | Vault is rarely updated — usually the consumer plugin needs an update                       |

Force a Specific Provider [#force-a-specific-provider]

If you have multiple economy plugins and Vault picks the wrong one, edit `plugins/Vault/config.yml`:

```yaml
economy:
  preferred: Essentials
permissions:
  preferred: LuckPerms
chat:
  preferred: EssentialsChat
```

Restart to apply.

Common Mistakes [#common-mistakes]

| Mistake                                                  | Fix                                                       |
| -------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- |
| Installing Vault but no provider plugin                  | Vault is a bridge — you need at least one provider        |
| Expecting Vault to add commands                          | It doesn't — install EssentialsX for commands             |
| Installing two economy plugins without setting preferred | Vault will pick one randomly — set the preferred provider |
| Forgetting to restart                                    | Vault hooks providers at startup                          |
| Confusing Vault with VaultUnlocked / Vaults / SafeVault  | They're unrelated — get Vault from the SpigotMC link      |

Related Guides [#related-guides]

* [Plugin Setup](/docs/minecraft/plugin-setup)
* [Setup EssentialsX](/docs/minecraft/setup-essentialsx)
* [Setup LuckPerms](/docs/minecraft/setup-luckperms)
* [Common Issues](/docs/minecraft/common-issues)