Screenshot 1 of 1. MinecraftHub-generated editorial cover for ForcePack, a voxel diorama around the lime MinecraftHub block
What ForcePack works with.
| Platform | Java Edition |
|---|---|
| Loaders | Bukkit, Folia, Paper, Velocity, Sponge |
| Minecraft versions | 1.8.8, 1.16.5, 1.17.1, 1.18.2, 1.19.4, 1.20.6, 1.21.11, 26.1.2, 26.2, 26.3 |
ForcePack is a forcepack plugin for server owners who need every player to load their resource pack reliably. It runs on Paper, Folia, Bukkit and Sponge servers and on Velocity proxies, and it sits on the server side only. Players join with an ordinary Java Edition install and add nothing themselves.
Server software and versions
- Bukkit, Folia, Paper and Velocity: Minecraft 1.8.8 to 26.3. The newest build needs no dependencies.
- Sponge: Minecraft 1.21.4 to 26.2. The newest build needs no dependencies.
- Spigot: Minecraft 1.8.8 to 1.21.7, builds stopped after July 2025. The newest build needs no dependencies.
What ForcePack does
The plugin sends your pack, checks the response and acts on it. It validates SHA-1 hashes and pack sizes, and it can generate the hash for you. Packs can be reloaded live, without restarting the server.
- Multiple resource packs for players on 1.20.3 and newer.
- A different pack per player version.
- Local web hosting for the pack file.
- Custom commands that run when a pack status comes back.
- Pack unloading on Velocity sub-servers that have no pack.
- Full localisation with MiniMessage, and Bedrock players can be ignored.
- Blocks the ESC-out bypass on clients older than 1.13, plus other basic checks against bypass cheats.
Installation
Drop the plugin file into the plugins folder and restart, as covered in how to install plugins on a server. Servers older than 1.17 need Java 11. The creator has moved away from Spigot and points users to Paper instead. Configuration and debugging steps live in the plugin's own documentation.
Permissions and known problems
Operators, or anyone with the * permission, hold ForcePack.bypass and are never sent the pack. If you see nothing on joining, negate that node before touching anything else. A bypass-permission option exists in the configuration, but the creator discourages switching it.
- Pack size limit is 50 MiB on 1.8 to 1.15, 100 MiB on 1.16 to 1.17, and 250 MiB on 1.18 and newer.
- A failed download after accepting is usually an oversized pack or an old client that cannot clear old packs. Delete the server-resource-packs folder in the client folder.
- Packs cleared on server switch are typically caused by a mod such as Pixelmon. Enable force-constant-download.
- Minehut reportedly returns a declined status every time, and ItemsAdder has been reported to cancel the pack screen even with its sending disabled.
Questions about ForcePack.
5 questions
How do I install ForcePack?
Place the plugin file in the plugins folder of a Paper, Folia, Bukkit or Sponge server, or on a Velocity proxy, then restart. Servers older than 1.17 must run Java 11. The plugin's own documentation covers configuration. Players need nothing extra.
Does ForcePack work on Velocity and Folia?
Yes. Velocity and Folia both have builds listed alongside Paper, Bukkit and Sponge. On Velocity it adds per-server pack control and can unload the pack on sub-servers that have none configured.
Why does ForcePack not send me the resource pack?
Operators and players holding the * permission also have ForcePack.bypass, so the plugin skips them. Negate that permission on your test account and rejoin. Turning off the bypass-permission option also works, but the creator discourages it.
Can ForcePack stop players from bypassing the resource pack?
Only partly. It blocks the ESC-out trick on clients older than 1.13, validates hashes and sizes, and runs other basic checks. Because the player's client controls packs, spoofing cannot be fully prevented.
How large can a resource pack be with ForcePack?
The limit depends on the player's version. It is 50 MiB for 1.8 to 1.15, 100 MiB for 1.16 to 1.17, and 250 MiB for 1.18 and newer. Oversized packs are a common cause of failed downloads.
