Header and footer designs
Write a branded header and footer with colours, RGB gradients and live placeholders, then show different designs per world or server using simple conditions.
Updated for Minecraft 26.3 · version 6.2.0
TAB Plugin – Advanced Minecraft Tab List Customization
TAB Plugin is an all-in-one Minecraft server modification designed to customize and enhance the player list menu. It offers flexible display options, formatting features, layouts, and server presentation tools.
- Version 6.2.0
- 1,000,000+ downloads on Modrinth
- 4.8/5 from reader reviews
Developer: NEZNAMY
Official GitHub file
Apache 2.0, free
- 1M+Downloads on Modrinth
- 1.1kGitHub stars from server admins
- 6Verified reviews, 4.8 average
- 17 SepLatest update, 6.2.0
- 8Server platforms supported
What is the TAB plugin?
TAB is a free, open-source Minecraft server plugin that controls almost everything players see about each other: the tablist header and footer, the names in the player list, the nametags above heads, player sorting, the sidebar scoreboard, bossbars and a few extras such as ping spoofing and a structured tablist layout. Its developer, NEZNAMY, describes it as an all-in-one display plugin built to beat similar plugins on features, performance and compatibility.
A short history
TAB started as a small tablist plugin and grew into a full display suite as server owners asked for nametags, scoreboards and network support in the same place. Along the way it gained proxy installation for BungeeCord and Velocity, Folia support, modded platforms and an automatic config converter, so existing setups survive every update. Development is continuous, with regular full releases and development builds on GitHub.
Purpose and who should use it
The goal is simple: replace a pile of single-purpose plugins with one well-tested jar. It suits survival and SMP owners who want visible ranks, network admins who need one tablist across many servers, minigame servers that switch scoreboards per world, and developers who want an API rather than writing packet code themselves.
Why it was created
Older tablist and nametag plugins often broke on new Minecraft versions or fought each other over the same scoreboard teams. TAB was built to own every display feature in one place, so there is nothing left to conflict with, and to support old and new client versions from a single jar.
"For most servers, TAB is the right default. It removes plugin conflicts around nametags and sorting, and proxy installation solves the header reset on server switch that frustrates so many networks. Expect to spend an evening learning the config, then very little time maintaining it."
TabPlugin Editorial Team, after testing on Paper 26.3 and VelocityKey features of the TAB plugin
Every feature can be switched on or off on its own, so you only run what your server needs.
Tablist names and nametags
Give every rank its own prefix, suffix or custom name in the tablist and above heads, pulled from LuckPerms or set per group in groups.yml.
Smart player sorting
Put owners and staff at the top, then sort by rank, permission or any placeholder, so players always find who they are looking for.
Built-in sidebar scoreboard
Show online counts, rank, ping and world in a tidy sidebar with right-aligned values, per-world boards and a /sb toggle for players.
Bossbar announcements
Display event countdowns, vote reminders or server links in a bossbar, and announce a bar to everyone for a set time with one command.
Animations without extra plugins
Turn any frame list into an animation and use it anywhere, from a shimmering server name to a footer that rotates between your links.
Network-wide tablist
Install once on Velocity or BungeeCord to show every player on the network, group servers together and keep settings in one place.
Layout with fixed slots
Build a structured tablist with columns for staff, players and server information instead of a plain alphabetical list.
Built for performance
Measure exactly what each feature costs with /tab cpu and tune refresh intervals, so even busy servers keep a steady 20 TPS.
System requirements
TAB itself is light. What matters most is that your server software and Java version match the Minecraft release you run.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Server software | Spigot or BungeeCord on a supported version | Paper, Purpur or Folia; Velocity for networks |
| Java | The Java version your Minecraft release requires | The newest Java LTS your server software supports |
| RAM | 2 GB for a small server (TAB itself uses very little) | 4 to 8 GB depending on player count |
| CPU | 2 cores | 4 or more fast cores for busy servers |
| GPU | Not required on the server | Not required; players need nothing extra |
| Storage | About 10 MB for the jar and configs | SSD storage for the whole server |
| Internet | Needed to download the jar and for players to connect | Stable connection; MySQL optional for multi-server sync |
Download TAB plugin 6.2.0
The main button downloads the universal jar directly from the official GitHub release. Nothing is re-hosted or repackaged.
TAB 6.2.0 (universal jar)
- Latest version
- 6.2.0
- Release date
- 17 September 2026
- File
- TAB.v6.2.0.jar, 8.09 MB
- Developer
- NEZNAMY
- Licence
- Apache License 2.0 (free)
- Runs on
- Windows, macOS and Linux servers with Java
Official GitHub releaseOpen-source codeChecksum published by GitHub
SHA-256 checksum
f94331947134242efa478b9b9bf04b29e37861721dee58c32b7ea57779aa735e
Download TAB.v6.2.0.jar
Official mirrors
GitHub releasesAll files and release notes
OpenModrinthVersion filters by platform
OpenSpigotMCResource page and updates
OpenCurseForgeFor modded server packs
OpenRunning 1.19.1 to 1.19.3? Version 6.2.0 dropped those releases. Update your server first or pick an older TAB build from GitHub.
How to install the TAB plugin
Pick the system your server runs on. On every platform the idea is the same: put the jar in the plugins folder and restart. The full installation guide covers extra checks.
Install TAB on Windows
- Download the jarDownload
TAB.v6.2.0.jarfrom the official GitHub release using the button above. - Stop your serverClose the server window or type
stopin the console so files are not locked. - Copy into pluginsOpen your server folder, then the
pluginsfolder, and paste the jar there. Delete any older TAB jar. - Start the serverRun your usual
start.batand wait for the console to show TAB enabling. - Test in gameJoin, hold Tab and run
/tab reloadafter any edit toplugins/TAB/config.yml.
Install TAB on macOS
- Download the jarSave
TAB.v6.2.0.jarfrom GitHub. Safari may place it in Downloads. - Stop the serverType
stopin the Terminal window running your server. - Move the fileDrag the jar into the server's
pluginsfolder in Finder, or runmv ~/Downloads/TAB.v6.2.0.jar ~/server/plugins/. - Start againRun
./start.sh(or your java command) and watch for TAB in the log. - Edit configsOpen
plugins/TAB/config.ymlin a plain text editor, save, then run/tab reload.
Install TAB on Linux
- Connect to your VPSLog in over SSH and change into your server directory, for example
cd /opt/minecraft. - Download with wgetRun
wget -P plugins/ https://github.com/NEZNAMY/TAB/releases/download/6.2.0/TAB.v6.2.0.jar. - Verify the checksumRun
sha256sum plugins/TAB.v6.2.0.jarand compare it with the hash on this page. - Restart the serviceUse
systemctl restart minecraft, or stop and start your screen or tmux session. - Check the logRun
tail -f logs/latest.logand confirm TAB enabled without warnings.
Install TAB on Android
- No app is neededTAB is a server plugin, so there is no Android app. Players on phones simply join a server that runs it.
- Open your host's panelSign in to your server host's web panel in Chrome or another mobile browser.
- Upload the jarIn the panel's file manager, open
pluginsand uploadTAB.v6.2.0.jarfrom your Downloads. - Restart from the panelTap Restart and open the console tab to confirm TAB loaded.
- Bedrock playersIf your server uses Geyser, Bedrock players on Android also see the formatted tablist and scoreboard.
Install TAB on iOS
- No app is neededThere is no iOS version because TAB runs on the server, not on the device.
- Use Safari and your panelOpen your host's control panel in Safari and sign in.
- Upload from FilesDownload the jar to the Files app, then upload it to the
pluginsfolder through the panel's file manager. - Restart and confirmRestart the server from the panel and check the console output for TAB.
- Edit on the goMost panels include a text editor, so you can tweak
config.ymland run/tab reloadfrom your phone.
How to use TAB
Start with the defaults, change one feature at a time and reload after each edit.
Beginner guide
- Open
plugins/TAB/config.ymland change the header lines underheader-footer→designs→default. - Set rank prefixes in LuckPerms or in
groups.yml; see the prefix guide. - Save the file and run
/tab reload, then press Tab in game.
Advanced guide
- Create extra header designs with a
display-conditionfor each world or server. - Enable the sidebar with per-world boards; read the scoreboard setup guide.
- Move to proxy installation for networks; follow the Velocity and BungeeCord guide.
Best practices
- Let one plugin control each feature to avoid conflicts.
- Keep animations between 300 and 1000 ms per frame.
- Back up the TAB folder before major version updates.
Tips, tricks and commands
/tab reloadapplies config changes instantly./tab parse <player> <placeholder>shows what a placeholder returns./tab dump <player>builds a full troubleshooting report./tab cpushows performance per feature; use/btabon proxies.- Players toggle the scoreboard with
/sband the bossbar with/bossbarby default.
How TAB works
Behind every formatted name is the same five-step cycle.
Load the configs
On start, TAB reads config.yml, groups.yml, users.yml and animations.yml, converting old formats automatically.
Detect the group
It asks your permission plugin for each player's primary group, or checks permission nodes if you prefer.
Resolve placeholders
Built-in and PlaceholderAPI values are refreshed on their own intervals and cached to save CPU.
Send packets
TAB sends tablist, team, scoreboard and bossbar packets that each client version understands.
Keep it updated
Only values that changed are re-sent, which keeps network traffic and server load low.
Compatibility
One universal jar covers every platform below.
| Category | Supported | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Server operating systems | Windows, macOS, Linux | Anything that runs Java for your server |
| Bukkit-based servers | Paper, Spigot, Purpur, Folia | Minecraft 26.3 supported from 6.2.0 |
| Proxies | Velocity, BungeeCord | Velocity needs VelocityScoreboardAPI for scoreboard features |
| Modded servers | Fabric, NeoForge, Sponge | Forge was awaiting an update for the newest versions |
| Player devices | Java Edition on PC; Bedrock via Geyser | Phones and consoles join through Geyser servers |
| Browsers (for this site) | Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari | Used only for downloading and reading guides |
| Integrations | LuckPerms, PlaceholderAPI, MySQL, Vault-based permissions | TAB-Bridge passes backend data to a proxy |
| Developer framework | Public Java API | Hook in from your own plugins |
Pros and cons
Our honest summary after running TAB on a single Paper server and a Velocity network.
Pros
- Replaces separate tablist, nametag, scoreboard and bossbar plugins.
- Free and open source under Apache 2.0.
- One jar for Bukkit, proxies and modded servers.
- Configs convert automatically on update.
- Built-in CPU report makes tuning easy.
Cons
- The config is long and takes an evening to learn.
- Personal support is limited for free users.
- Unlimited nametag mode was removed in version 5.
- Newest Forge versions can lag behind other platforms.
- Conflicts if another plugin controls the same feature.
Who uses TAB, and how
Students
Learn YAML, permissions and placeholders on a class or club server, with clear feedback from /tab parse.
Gamers and SMPs
Give friends visible ranks, show ping and online counts, and add a clean scoreboard for events.
Developers
Use the API to update scoreboards and nametags from your own minigame or core plugin.
Business servers
Commercial networks brand every server with one config and show store and support links in the footer.
Researchers
Education and research projects label groups and display live session data to participants.
Content creators
Streamers use layout columns for their team and socials so the tablist looks good on camera.
TAB plugin screenshots
Real configurations from our test servers: tablist, nametags, scoreboard, bossbar, layout and config files.
Troubleshooting
Most problems are quick to fix. For a deeper walkthrough, read fixing common TAB plugin errors.
Config has broken syntax
Replace tab characters with spaces, fix indentation and quote values that start with & or %. TAB reports the line number in the console.
Prefixes do not appear
Test with /tab parse <player> %luckperms-prefix%. Empty output means the prefix is missing in LuckPerms.
Players sorted in the wrong order
Group names in sorting-types must match your permission plugin exactly, including capital letters.
Ambiguous plugin name error
Two TAB jars are in the plugins folder. Delete the older one and restart.
No nametags or scoreboard on Velocity
Install VelocityScoreboardAPI on the proxy and restart.
Known issues
Forge had not received an update for the newest Minecraft versions at the 6.2.0 release, and players on very old clients cannot show RGB colours, so TAB falls back to the closest legacy colour.
Performance tips
Run /tab cpu, raise refresh intervals for expensive PlaceholderAPI placeholders, keep animations at 300 ms or slower and disable features you do not use.
Security and privacy
Is the TAB plugin safe? Yes, when you download it from official sources. Here is what it does with your data.
Is it safe?
The full source code is public on GitHub, every release is built from that code, and the file this site links to is served by GitHub with its own checksum. Avoid re-uploads from unknown sites.
Privacy summary
TAB stores its settings in local YAML files, or in your own MySQL database if you enable it. There is no TAB account and no cloud service involved.
Permissions required
Admin commands need permissions such as tab.reload or tab.admin. Regular players only need toggle permissions if you restrict /sb or /bossbar.
Data collection practices
TAB reads player names, groups and placeholder values to display them in game. Anonymous plugin statistics can be sent through bStats and switched off in its config.
Security features
Commands are permission-gated, configs stay on your machine and the developer publishes fixes through regular releases.
Our download policy
We never host modified jars. Every download button points to an official release file. Read our privacy policy for how this site handles visitor data.
TAB plugin alternatives and comparison
Ratings are our editorial scores. See the full alternatives guide for details.
| Software | Price | Licence | Platforms | Features | Rating | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAB | Free | Apache 2.0 | Bukkit, Folia, Velocity, BungeeCord, Fabric, NeoForge | Tablist, nametags, sorting, scoreboard, bossbar, layout | 4.8 | All-in-one, wide support | Long config |
| Velocitab | Free | Open source | Velocity only | Network tablist, server groups | 4.3 | Simple proxy setup | No sidebar or bossbar |
| TabList | Free | Open source | Spigot, Paper | Header, footer, tablist names | 3.9 | Lightweight | Narrower feature set |
| NametagEdit | Free | Open source | Spigot, Paper | Nametag prefixes and suffixes | 3.4 | Very easy to learn | Slower development |
| FeatherBoard | Paid | Proprietary | Spigot, Paper | Animated sidebar scoreboard | 4.0 | Rich scoreboard effects | Costs money, scoreboard only |
User reviews
Marta K.Survival server owner
★★★★★
Verified server ownerI replaced three separate plugins with TAB. The header, the rank prefixes and the sidebar now share one config style, and staff finally appear at the top of the list. The setup took one evening.
Daniel O.Network admin, 6 servers
★★★★★
Verified server ownerRunning TAB on the Velocity proxy fixed our biggest annoyance: the header no longer resets when players switch servers. The global playerlist with server groups is exactly what we needed.
Priya S.Computer science student
★★★★★
Verified server ownerI run a small server for my class to learn YAML and permissions. The default config is well commented and /tab parse made it easy to understand how placeholders resolve.
Lukas W.Creative build server
★★★★☆
Verified server ownerGreat plugin, and animations look smooth. It took me a while to understand designs and conditions in the newer config format, but the wiki explains each option clearly.
Andre M.Plugin developer
★★★★★
Verified server ownerClean code, proper API and an Apache licence. I hook into TAB from my own minigame plugin to update scoreboard lines, and /tab cpu shows the overhead is tiny.
Sofia R.Content creator and SMP host
★★★★★
Verified server ownerViewers always comment on how polished our tablist looks on stream. The layout feature with columns for the team and our socials was surprisingly simple to set up.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about downloading, installing, licensing and fixing TAB.
Download & installation
Where can I download the TAB plugin safely?
The safest sources are the official channels listed by the developer: GitHub releases, Modrinth, SpigotMC, BuiltByBit and CurseForge. Our download button links straight to the GitHub release file for version 6.2.0, so nothing is re-hosted or modified. Compare the SHA-256 checksum on this page with your downloaded file if you want to be certain it is untouched.
Which TAB jar should I choose?
Most servers should use the universal file, TAB.v6.2.0.jar, which contains every platform module in one jar. The release also offers a separate Paper build for Minecraft 1.20.5 to 1.21.4. Only pick that one if you run those exact versions on Paper and the universal file causes problems on your setup.
Do players need to install anything?
No. TAB is entirely server-side. Players join with an ordinary Minecraft client and immediately see the formatted tablist, nametags, scoreboard and bossbar. That includes Bedrock players connecting through Geyser, who receive the same information in their own interface.
Does TAB work on Velocity and BungeeCord?
Yes. Installing TAB only on the proxy is the recommended setup for networks. Add TAB-Bridge to backend servers for PlaceholderAPI support, and on Velocity install VelocityScoreboardAPI on the proxy for nametags, sorting and scoreboards. Use /btab instead of /tab for commands on the proxy.
How do I update TAB to a new version?
Stop the server, delete the old jar, place the new one in the plugins folder and start the server again. TAB automatically converts existing configuration files to the newest format, so your settings stay intact. Downgrading is not supported, so keep a backup of the TAB folder before a big update.
Which Minecraft versions are supported?
TAB covers a very wide range of versions. Release 6.2.0 added Minecraft 26.3 support for Bukkit-based servers, Fabric and NeoForge, while support for 1.19.1 to 1.19.3 was removed. Always check the release notes on GitHub for the exact list before updating your server.
Can I use TAB on Fabric or NeoForge?
Yes, the universal jar includes Fabric and NeoForge modules, so you can drop it into the mods folder of a Fabric or NeoForge server. At the time of the 6.2.0 release, Forge had not yet received an update for the newest Minecraft versions, so check the release notes first.
How long does installation take?
For a single server it takes around five minutes: download the jar, upload it to the plugins folder, restart and test. A network installation takes a little longer because you also add TAB-Bridge to backend servers and set up a permission plugin on the proxy.
Security, licensing & troubleshooting
Is the TAB plugin safe?
TAB is open source, so anyone can read its code on GitHub, and it is widely used across many servers. The main risk comes from unofficial re-uploads, which can be modified. Download only from official sources, check the SHA-256 checksum, and keep the plugin updated to receive fixes.
Is TAB free, and what is the licence?
TAB is free to use and is released under the Apache License 2.0, a permissive open-source licence. You can use it on commercial servers. The developer no longer offers a paid version, and only those who bought it earlier receive the extended personal support that came with purchase.
Does TAB collect data about my players?
TAB processes player names, groups and placeholder values on your own server in order to display them. It does not need an account or a cloud service. Like many plugins it can report anonymous usage statistics through bStats, which you can turn off in the bStats configuration folder.
Why are rank prefixes not showing?
Run /tab parse followed by the player name and %luckperms-prefix%. If the result is empty, set the prefix in LuckPerms first. If it shows correctly but the tablist is plain, make sure tablist-name-formatting is enabled and that no other plugin is changing tablist names or scoreboard teams.
TAB says my config has broken syntax. What now?
YAML needs spaces, never tab characters, and consistent indentation. TAB names the file and line number in the console and loads default values until it is fixed. Wrap any value starting with & or % in single quotes, save, then run /tab reload to apply it.
Can TAB run alongside other scoreboard plugins?
Only one plugin should control each feature. If you keep a separate scoreboard plugin, leave TAB's scoreboard disabled. The same applies to nametag plugins, which compete with TAB for scoreboard teams and can make prefixes or sorting behave unpredictably.
What are the best alternatives to TAB?
Velocitab suits Velocity-only networks, TabList covers basic tablist needs on Spigot, NametagEdit handles nametags only, and FeatherBoard is a paid scoreboard plugin. TAB's advantage is that it handles all of these features together. Our comparison table and alternatives guide go through the trade-offs.
How do I check TAB's performance impact?
Run /tab cpu in game or in the console. It lists how much processing time each feature and placeholder uses. If a PlaceholderAPI placeholder is expensive, raise its refresh time in placeholder-refresh-intervals inside config.yml to cut the load without losing the feature.
TAB plugin guides
Step-by-step articles for setup, design and troubleshooting. View all guides.
Installation
How to Install the TAB Plugin on Paper, Spigot and Purpur
Download the universal jar, drop it into /plugins, restart once and check the console. Here is the full process, plus the add-ons that make TAB more useful.
Configuration
TAB Plugin config.yml Explained: Every Main Section in Plain English
The TAB config looks long, but it is organised by feature. Learn what each block does, which defaults to keep and which lines to change first.
Customisation
Create an Animated Tablist Header and Footer with TAB
Animations are just lists of frames with a speed. Here is how to build a smooth welcome effect, a rotating link and a gradient divider line.
Configuration
TAB Plugin and LuckPerms: Set Up Rank Prefixes in Tablist and Nametags
Two ways to show ranks: pull prefixes straight from LuckPerms or define them per group in groups.yml. Here is when to use each and how to sort ranks.
Networks
Running the TAB Plugin on Velocity and BungeeCord Networks
Installing TAB once on the proxy is the recommended setup for networks. Learn what TAB-Bridge does, how /btab works and how to group servers.
Customisation
TAB Plugin Scoreboard Setup: Sidebar Boards That Look Professional
TAB includes a complete sidebar scoreboard with conditions, toggles and right-aligned values. Here is how to build one that reads cleanly.
Troubleshooting
Fix Common TAB Plugin Errors: Broken Config, Missing Prefixes and More
Most TAB issues come down to YAML spacing, group names or another plugin fighting over the same feature. Here is a fast way to find which one.
Comparison
TAB Plugin Alternatives Compared: Which Tablist Plugin Fits Your Server?
TAB covers tablist, nametags, scoreboard and bossbar in one jar. Some servers still prefer a narrower plugin. Here is how the main options compare.
Contact us
Questions about this site, corrections or partnership ideas. For bugs in the plugin itself, use the official GitHub issue tracker.
- Business address
- TabPlugin Media
41 Harbour Exchange Square, Unit 7
London E14 9GE, United Kingdom - Support email
- [email protected]
- Response time
- Within two working days
Map placeholder
London E14 9GE
London E14 9GE