What PlaceholderAPI works with.
| Platform | Java Edition |
|---|---|
| Loaders | Bukkit, Folia, Paper, Spigot |
| Minecraft versions | 1.8, 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 |
PlaceholderAPI is a server plugin that turns information from other plugins into one uniform format, usable wherever a supporting plugin accepts placeholders. Builds cover Bukkit, Spigot, Paper and Folia on Minecraft 1.8 to 26.3, and the newest release is 2.12.3 (2026-07-03). It is server-side only, so clients install nothing.
Installation
- 1.Install the PlaceholderAPI build that matches your server software.
- 2.Browse expansions with /papi ecloud list, then fetch one with /papi ecloud download.
- 3.Run /papi list to confirm the expansion is active, and /papi reload after changing configuration.
Configuration
config.yml holds the core settings, and expansions add their own options to it when they load. The core keys are check_updates, cloud_enabled, cloud_sorting, cloud_allow_unverified_expansions (false by default), date_format, debug, and a boolean section that sets the text shown for true and false, which defaults to yes and no.
Permissions and commands
Every command node defaults to op. The placeholderapi.admin node groups help, info, list, parse, reload, version, register, unregister and updatenotify, while placeholderapi.ecloud.* covers the eCloud commands. A permissions plugin such as LuckPerms can hand these out to staff.
- Parsing: /papi parse, bcparse, cmdparse and parserel.
- eCloud: /papi ecloud status, clear, download, update, info, list, placeholders and refresh.
- Expansions: /papi info, list, register and unregister.
- Utility: /papi dump, reload and version.
Compatibility
The Bukkit, Spigot, Paper and Folia builds each span 1.8 to 26.3 and require no other plugin. The eCloud lists over 230 expansions, covering plugins such as Essentials, Factions, LuckPerms and Vault. The trade-off is that PlaceholderAPI is only a bridge: its value depends entirely on the expansions you add and on the other plugins accepting placeholders.
Questions about PlaceholderAPI.
5 questions
How do I install PlaceholderAPI?
Install the build for your server software on the server only, since clients do not need it. Then use /papi ecloud list to browse expansions and /papi ecloud download to add the ones you need. Run /papi reload afterwards to apply configuration changes.
Does PlaceholderAPI work on Folia?
Yes. Folia has its own build range, covering Minecraft 1.8 to 26.3, and the newest release is 2.12.3. Bukkit, Spigot and Paper builds span the same range. Nothing is listed for Velocity or BungeeCord, so this page does not claim proxy support.
Which Minecraft versions does PlaceholderAPI support?
Builds for Bukkit, Spigot, Paper and Folia all cover Minecraft 1.8 to 26.3. The newest build is 2.12.3. It is a Java Edition plugin and must be installed on the server, because clients are not supported.
Does PlaceholderAPI need a permissions plugin?
No. It requires no other plugin. Its commands default to op, so operators can use them immediately. A permissions plugin is only useful if you want to give non-op staff nodes such as placeholderapi.admin or placeholderapi.ecloud.*.
Why does PlaceholderAPI show no placeholders after installing?
It includes no placeholders by default. You need to download expansions from the eCloud with /papi ecloud download, or use plugins that provide their own support. Check /papi list to see which expansions are active.
