Screenshot 1 of 3. WorldGuard region protection commands shown in Minecraft server chat
What WorldGuard works with.
| Platform | Java Edition |
|---|---|
| Loaders | Bukkit, Folia, Paper, Spigot |
| Minecraft versions | 1.2.4, 1.16, 1.17, 1.18.2, 1.19.4, 1.20.6, 1.21.11, 26.1.2, 26.2, 26.3 |
WorldGuard is a server plugin for Paper, Spigot, Bukkit and Folia that lets you and your players guard areas of land against griefers and undesirables. It also tweaks or disables gameplay features such as fire spread, TNT, PvP and mob damage. It is Java Edition only, and one of the oldest Minecraft projects, older than Bukkit. Everything is off by default, so you can install it first and configure it later.
What it does
- Protect areas so only certain people can build in them.
- Set areas where PvP, TNT, mob damage and other features are disabled.
- Block creeper and wither block damage, falling damage, fire spread, lava fire spread, ice formation and Endermen picking up blocks.
- Blacklist items and blocks so they cannot be used, and warn moderators when they are.
- Guard against exploits such as magical obsidian creation machines, and against grief like TNT cannons, piston machines and crop trampling.
- Dump server statistics with /wg report -p and CPU-profile the server with /wg profile -p.
Installation
Players install nothing and join with a normal client. On the server, put the WorldGuard file in the plugins folder and restart. The install steps and README call for WorldEdit alongside it, and the plugin's own text recommends Paper over Spigot. Our plugin install guide covers the general steps.
Compatibility
- Bukkit: 1.2.4 to 26.3.
- Spigot: 1.4.6 to 26.3.
- Paper: 1.8 to 26.3.
- Folia: 1.21.11 to 26.3.
Those are the full spans across all releases, and the newest build, 7.0.19, reaches 26.3 on each. Pick the file that matches your server software.
Permissions and trade-offs
Only opped users, or users granted permissions through a permissions plugin, can use WorldGuard. The project's documentation explains how to use it. The plugin is server-side only, and a client without it is unaffected. Its reach into other mods is limited: the project says it works, more or less, with other Bukkit plugins and FTB mods.
WorldGuard region protection tutorial
Questions about WorldGuard.
5 questions
How do I install WorldGuard?
Set up a Bukkit-based server such as Paper or Spigot, then put the WorldGuard file and WorldEdit into the plugins folder and restart. Players do not install anything. They join with a normal client. The project's documentation explains how to use WorldGuard once it is running.
Does WorldGuard work on Folia?
Yes, from Minecraft 1.21.11 to 26.3. Folia has its own builds, with 7.0.19 as the newest. The project text makes no further claim about Folia behavior, so read the wiki and test your setup before going live.
Which Minecraft versions does WorldGuard support?
Across all releases, Paper spans 1.8 to 26.3, Spigot 1.4.6 to 26.3 and Bukkit 1.2.4 to 26.3, while Folia spans 1.21.11 to 26.3. The newest release, 7.0.19, reaches 26.3 on all four. Pick the file that matches your server software from the Files tab.
Does WorldGuard need a permissions plugin?
Only opped users or users with permissions supplied by a permissions plugin can use WorldGuard. A small server can rely on operators alone. If you want staff groups to manage regions without full op rights, add a permissions plugin.
Is WorldGuard free and open source?
Yes. The source is on GitHub under EngineHub, and the project text says it is licensed under LGPLv3. No licence file was found in the repository, and Modrinth labels it LGPL-3.0-only.
