---
title: "Setting Up Slimefun for Custom Tech and Magic | ZCS"
description: "Reactors, androids, and machines built entirely out of vanilla-looking items. Slimefun adds an entire tech progression tree on top of normal survival."
url: "https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/slimefun-custom-tech-magic-setup"
updated: "2026-10-20T07:15:13.005688+00:00"
source: "ZCraft Studios"
---

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# Setting Up Slimefun for Custom Tech and Magic

ZCraft StudiosOct 3, 2026Updated Oct 20, 2026

Reactors, androids, and machines built entirely out of vanilla-looking items. Slimefun adds an entire tech progression tree on top of normal survival.

## In this guide

- [Install Slimefun](#install-slimefun)
- [Enabling Addons](#enabling-addons)
- [The Slimefun Guide](#the-slimefun-guide)
- [Research and Unlocks](#research-and-unlocks)
- [Configuring Item Availability](#configuring-item-availability)
- [Performance Considerations](#performance-considerations)
- [Slimefun's Learning Curve](#slimefuns-learning-curve)
- [Why Servers Add Slimefun](#why-servers-add-slimefun)
- [Progression acceptance test](#progression-acceptance-test)
- [Review machines as part of your protection and economy](#review-machines-as-part-of-your-protection-and-economy)
- [Official documentation and links](#official-documentation-and-links)
- [A practical verification exercise](#a-practical-verification-exercise)

## Setting Up Slimefun for Custom Tech and Magic

_A full tech-and-magic progression system layered on top of vanilla survival, built almost entirely from custom recipes rather than new 3D models._

Slimefun is a large content-addition plugin adding machines, custom tools, armor, food, and magic items through an extensive crafting and research progression, significantly expanding what there is to work toward beyond vanilla's content ceiling.

## Install Slimefun

[Slimefun 4Technology, magic and recipe progression for Spigot and Paper servers.On GitHub ](https://github.com/Slimefun/Slimefun4)

Download Slimefun 4 from the project linked above. Check the supported Minecraft version, server platform, Java requirement and dependencies for the selected release.

1. Back up the server files and any plugin database.
2. Stop the server before changing JAR files. Put the compatible plugin build and its required dependencies in the correct plugin folder.
3. Start the server and read the startup log. Resolve missing dependencies or version errors before editing the generated configuration.
4. Stop the server, make one small configuration change, then restart and test it with a non-operator account.

Use the original Slimefun 4 project’s release instructions. Addons must match the selected build; a similarly named fork can have different requirements.

## Enabling Addons

Slimefun's base plugin covers core content, but much of its most popular content (additional machines, items, and mechanics) comes through separate addon plugins installed alongside it. Checking which addons a server actually wants (there are many, covering different themes and content types) is part of initial setup, not just the base plugin alone.

## The Slimefun Guide

```
/sf
```

(or right-clicking the Slimefun Guide item players receive) opens an in-game guide showing every unlocked and lockable item, its recipe, and research requirements. This guide is the primary way players actually discover and learn the plugin's large item catalog, since most of it isn't vanilla-crafting-table discoverable.

## Research and Unlocks

Many Slimefun items require "research" (typically unlocked with XP levels) before a player can craft them, even once the materials are available. This creates a deliberate progression gate rather than everything being available from the start.

## Configuring Item Availability

```
options:
  enable-all-items: true
  disabled-items:
    - EXAMPLE_ITEM
```

Specific items can be disabled server-wide if they don't fit a server's intended balance or theme. Slimefun's catalog is large enough that most servers end up trimming it rather than running every available item and addon.

## Performance Considerations

Slimefun's machines (especially ones running continuously, like automated factories or energy generators) can add meaningful tick overhead on a server with many active machines simultaneously. Monitoring server performance after Slimefun adoption grows, rather than assuming machine count scales for free, matters on larger or longer-running worlds.

## Slimefun's Learning Curve

Slimefun's catalog is large enough that it has a genuine learning curve for new players. A clear onboarding nudge toward the `/sf` guide (see the dedicated onboarding guide for broader new-player setup) helps new players actually discover what the plugin offers instead of never engaging with it at all.

## Why Servers Add Slimefun

Vanilla survival has a content ceiling most dedicated players eventually reach. Slimefun is one of the more common ways servers extend meaningful long-term progression goals well beyond what vanilla alone offers, without requiring a full custom plugin built from scratch.

## Progression acceptance test

Start as a new player with no unlocked research. Follow the intended unlock path through a basic machine and confirm recipe visibility, dependencies, item output and resource costs. Verify that protected areas and anti-duplication rules do not break machines or allow unintended item production.

[![Slimefun gameplay showcase from the official project wiki](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Slimefun/Slimefun-Wiki/master/images/showcase1.png)](https://github.com/Slimefun/Slimefun4)

_Slimefun gameplay showcase from the official project wiki. [Official source](https://github.com/Slimefun/Slimefun4). Illustrative publisher image._

## Review machines as part of your protection and economy

Start with a small progression path and inspect the machines players reach first. Check who can use or remove them inside a claim and what happens when a chunk unloads or the server restarts. Keep the test focused on the add-ons you actually installed. A feature shown in another server's showcase may belong to a separate extension. Record which component provides each item so staff know where to investigate a failure.

Compare crafted outputs with shop prices and other resource sources before opening the system publicly. An automated production loop can change the value of items elsewhere in the economy. Decide how seasonal resets affect machines, stored materials and research progress. Keep the required player and block data in the backup plan. Explain the first useful steps to newcomers instead of presenting the entire item catalog without a route through it.

### Troubleshooting paths

- Machine access is wrong: retest ownership and protection interactions.
- Item is unavailable: check the component providing it.
- Progression resets unexpectedly: inspect persisted data and the recovery process.

\*

## Official documentation and links

- [Official project repository](https://github.com/Slimefun/Slimefun4)
- [Planning a Minecraft Server Economy That Doesn't Fall Apart](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/planning-minecraft-server-economy-that-lasts)

## A practical verification exercise

Test machine progression with a new player account and verify required research, crafted dependencies and protection behavior. Check that automated production cannot unintentionally overwhelm the server economy. Addons can introduce separate compatibility constraints, so update them in a staging instance as a group.

## Continue reading

- [Setting Up ItemsAdder for Custom Items and Blocks](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/itemsadder-custom-items-blocks-setup)
- [Setting Up Custom Enchantments Beyond Vanilla](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/custom-enchantments-plugin-setup)
- [Adding Custom Crafting Recipes With a Datapack](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/custom-crafting-recipes-datapack-guide)
- [Hosting and Setting Up a Custom Resource Pack](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/custom-resource-pack-hosting-setup)

[ Previous guide How to Set Up a World Border on a Minecraft Server](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/worldborder-setup-guide)[ Next guide Paper vs Fabric for Minecraft Servers: Which to Pick](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/paper-vs-fabric-for-minecraft-server)