--- title: "EssentialsX Config Guide: Messages, Chat and Modules | ZCS" description: "A practical EssentialsX guide: which jars to install, what config.yml controls, how to customize messages and colors, and how to format chat." url: "https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/essentialsx-config-guide-messages-chat" updated: "2026-10-20T07:16:50.972429+00:00" source: "ZCraft Studios" --- > Site index for AI agents: https://www.zcraftstudios.com/llms.txt (full reference: https://www.zcraftstudios.com/llms-full.txt). Every page is available as Markdown by adding `.md` to its URL or sending `Accept: text/markdown`. 1. [Home](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/) 2. [Blog](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog) 3. EssentialsX Config Guide: Messages, Chat and Modules [ All posts](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog) # EssentialsX Config Guide: Messages, Chat and Modules ZCraft StudiosOct 19, 2026Updated Oct 20, 2026 A practical EssentialsX guide: which jars to install, what config.yml controls, how to customize messages and colors, and how to format chat. ## In this guide - [Which EssentialsX files do you need?](#which-essentialsx-files-do-you-need) - [What config.yml controls](#what-configyml-controls) - [Customize EssentialsX messages](#customize-essentialsx-messages) - [Format chat with EssentialsXChat](#format-chat-with-essentialsxchat) - [Permissions](#permissions) - [Ready-made message pack](#ready-made-message-pack) - [Common problems](#common-problems) - [Related reading](#related-reading) ## EssentialsX Config Guide: config.yml, Custom Messages, Chat Format and Modules _EssentialsX is the plugin most servers install first, and the one most servers never finish configuring. The default chat output, error messages and colors are what players see every time they run a command._ ## Which EssentialsX files do you need? EssentialsX is a core plugin plus optional modules. Download builds that match your server software and Minecraft version from the official EssentialsX release page, and read the release notes before upgrading. | Jar | What it adds | | --- | --- | | `EssentialsX.jar` | Core commands: homes, warps, kits, economy, teleport, moderation | | `EssentialsXChat` | Chat formatting, per-group formats, local chat | | `EssentialsXSpawn` | Spawn points and new-player spawn handling | | `EssentialsXAntiBuild` | Build and interact restrictions by permission | | `EssentialsXProtect` | Basic protection against common grief actions | | `EssentialsXGeoIP` | Player location lookup | Install only the modules you will configure. Essentials needs a permissions plugin and, for economy features, a Vault-compatible setup. See [LuckPerms Setup Guide](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/luckperms-ranks-setup-guide) and [Linking Vault to an Economy Plugin](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/vault-economy-plugin-setup). ## What config.yml controls The main file is `plugins/Essentials/config.yml`. Start by reviewing these areas rather than reading all of it: - **Locale:** `locale` sets the language. `per-player-locale` can send messages in each player's own language. - **Colors:** since EssentialsX 2.21.0, the `message-colors` section changes the primary and secondary colors used across standard messages without editing message files. - **Economy:** currency symbol, starting balance, minimum pay amount and the `/baltop` display rules. - **Teleport:** delays, cooldowns, safe teleport and whether movement cancels a teleport. - **Homes:** how many homes each permission group can set. - **Join and leave messages:** custom formats and whether to hide them. - **Chat events:** `chat.paper-chat-events` exists for compatibility on Paper. The EssentialsX release notes describe it as not intended for long-term use, so avoid depending on it. Change one setting at a time, restart, and test with a non-operator account. For a review routine, use the [Plugin Configuration Review Checklist](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-plugin-config-review-checklist). ## Customize EssentialsX messages Since 2.21.0 EssentialsX supports MiniMessage inside its messages. The official method is: 1. Create the folder `plugins/Essentials/messages/` if it does not exist. 2. Create `messages_.properties`, for example `messages_en.properties`. 3. Add only the keys you want to override. 4. Restart the server. Inside messages you can use the `` and `` tags, which follow the colors in `message-colors`. That keeps your messages consistent when you change the color scheme later. Preview formatting with the Adventure MiniMessage viewer, keeping in mind it does not know the `` and `` tags. Do not replace the whole default file unless you are prepared to track new keys on every EssentialsX update. Overriding only the messages you care about keeps upgrades simple. ## Format chat with EssentialsXChat If you install `EssentialsXChat`, its settings are in `plugins/EssentialsChat/config.yml`. The `format` option controls every chat line, for example: ``` format: '{PREFIX}{DISPLAYNAME}{SUFFIX}&7: &f{MESSAGE}' ``` Common variables include `{DISPLAYNAME}`, `{MESSAGE}`, `{PREFIX}`, `{SUFFIX}`, `{GROUP}` and `{WORLD}`. Prefixes and suffixes come from your permissions plugin through Vault. You can also define a different format per group under `group-formats`. If you want chat tags from another plugin, see the [EternalTags setup guide](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/eternaltags-plugin-setup-guide). ## Permissions Essentials uses `essentials.*` nodes. Grant them through LuckPerms to groups instead of using wildcards for everyone, and keep staff commands such as `essentials.ban`, `essentials.kick` and `essentials.invsee` separate from player commands. Confirm what a player can do with `/lp user permission check `. ## Ready-made message pack If you want a finished, consistent message style instead of editing keys one at a time, the ZCraft **[EssentialsX Messages Config](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/products/essentialsx-config-messages)** provides a styled English and Spanish pack of 1,600+ message keys covering economy, teleport, homes, staff and utilities. Follow the README that comes with the pack for the install steps that match your EssentialsX version. ![EssentialsX Messages Config pack by ZCraft Studios](https://esrjajilhtjdleheettk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/product-images/image_2026-10-04_102302154.png) _The ZCraft EssentialsX Messages Config pack._ ## Common problems | Problem | Check | | --- | --- | | Colors or MiniMessage appear as raw text | EssentialsX version older than 2.21.0, or wrong tag syntax | | Chat format ignored | `EssentialsXChat` not installed, or another chat plugin overrides it | | Prefix missing in chat | Vault or permissions plugin not connected, or prefix not set | | Custom messages not applied | Wrong file name, wrong folder, or no restart | | Commands say "no permission" | Missing `essentials.*` node for that group | ## Related reading - [EssentialsX Commands Every Admin Should Know](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/essentialsx-commands-cheat-sheet) - [LiteBans vs AdvancedBan vs Essentials Punishments](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/litebans-vs-advancedban-vs-essentials-punishments) - [How to Update Minecraft Plugins Safely](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-server-plugin-update-checklist) ## Continue reading - [LuckPerms Config, Placeholders and Verbose Guide](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/luckperms-config-placeholders-verbose-guide) - [EternalTags Setup: Chat Tags, Menus and Permissions](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/eternaltags-plugin-setup-guide) - [PaperMC Config Files Explained: Global and Per-World](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-paper-configuration-files-explained) - [Minecraft Plugin Config Review: Avoid YAML Mistakes](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-plugin-config-review-checklist) [ Previous guide Paper Anti-Xray Settings: Engine Modes and Testing](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/paper-anti-xray-settings-guide)[ Next guide CoreProtect Rollback Guide: Commands and Safe Restores](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/coreprotect-rollback-commands-guide)