--- title: "TAB Plugin Config: Tablist, Scoreboard and Free Pack | ZCS" description: "Configure the TAB plugin step by step: tablist header and footer, rank prefixes, nametags, animated scoreboard, placeholders, and a free ready-made TAB config." url: "https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/tab-plugin-tablist-scoreboard-setup" 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. TAB Plugin Config: Tablist, Scoreboard and Free Pack [ All posts](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog) # TAB Plugin Config: Tablist, Scoreboard and Free Pack ZCraft StudiosOct 3, 2026Updated Oct 20, 2026 Configure the TAB plugin step by step: tablist header and footer, rank prefixes, nametags, animated scoreboard, placeholders, and a free ready-made TAB config. ## In this guide - [Install TAB](#install-tab) - [Where the settings live](#where-the-settings-live) - [Tablist header and footer](#tablist-header-and-footer) - [Rank prefixes in the tablist and above heads](#rank-prefixes-in-the-tablist-and-above-heads) - [Animations](#animations) - [Scoreboard](#scoreboard) - [Placeholders](#placeholders) - [Apply changes](#apply-changes) - [Use a free ready-made TAB config](#use-a-free-ready-made-tab-config) - [Troubleshooting](#troubleshooting) - [TAB project examples](#tab-project-examples) - [Related reading](#related-reading) ## TAB Plugin Config Guide: Tablist, Scoreboard, Animations and a Free Config _The tab list and scoreboard are on every player's screen all the time. TAB replaces both with fully configurable versions that support placeholders, per-group formatting and animations._ ## Install TAB [TABAn all-in-one solution that worksOn Modrinth ](https://modrinth.com/plugin/tab-was-taken) [PlaceholderAPIA resource that allows information from your favourite plugins be shown practically anywhere!On Modrinth ](https://modrinth.com/plugin/placeholderapi) 1. Download TAB and check the supported Minecraft version, server platform and Java requirement. 2. Back up the server, stop it, and place the jar in `plugins/`. 3. Start the server and read the console before editing anything. 4. TAB works without PlaceholderAPI, but install it if you want placeholders from other plugins. ## Where the settings live The layout of TAB's files changes between major versions. Compare these descriptions with the files TAB generated on your server and the [official TAB wiki](https://github.com/NEZNAMY/TAB/wiki). | File | Controls | | --- | --- | | `config.yml` | Features on and off, header and footer, scoreboard, bossbar | | `groups.yml` | Per-group prefixes, suffixes and nametags | | `users.yml` | Per-player overrides | | `animations.yml` | Animated text you can use in any feature | | `messages.yml` | Plugin messages | ## Tablist header and footer In `config.yml`, enable the header and footer feature and set the lines. Placeholders go inside the text: ``` header-footer: enabled: true header: - "&b&lWelcome to the Server" footer: - "&7Players online: &f%online%" - "&7Your ping: &f%ping%ms" ``` Use short lines. They are visible all game, and long text wraps badly on small screens. ## Rank prefixes in the tablist and above heads Set prefixes per group in `groups.yml`. The `_DEFAULT_` entry applies to everyone unless a more specific group overrides it: ``` _DEFAULT_: tabprefix: "%luckperms-prefix%" tagprefix: "%luckperms-prefix%" customtabname: "%player%" ``` `tabprefix` is shown in the player list, and `tagprefix` above the player's head. If you use LuckPerms, see the [LuckPerms Setup Guide](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/luckperms-ranks-setup-guide) and [LuckPerms placeholders](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/luckperms-config-placeholders-verbose-guide). TAB also sorts the player list by group, so staff and ranks appear in the order you choose. ## Animations Define an animation in `animations.yml`, then use it by name in any text: ``` animations: title: change-interval: 500 texts: - "&b&lMY SERVER" - "&3&lMY SERVER" ``` ``` header: - "%animation:title%" ``` Increase `change-interval` and use fewer frames if the display flickers or uses too much CPU. ## Scoreboard The scoreboard is configured in `config.yml`. Give it a title and lines, and keep placeholders you actually need: ``` scoreboard: enabled: true title: "&b&lMY SERVER" lines: - "&7Rank: &f%luckperms-prefix%" - "&7Balance: &a$%vault_eco_balance%" - "" - "&fplay.yourserver.com" ``` The structure differs by TAB version, so copy the sample scoreboard TAB generates rather than pasting YAML from an old guide. Blank lines (`""`) create spacing. Players can toggle the scoreboard if you enable the toggle command. ## Placeholders TAB has many built-in placeholders (`%player%`, `%online%`, `%ping%`, `%world%`) and works with PlaceholderAPI expansions for balance, rank, playtime and more. Install the expansion, test with `/papi parse me `, then use it in TAB. See [Setting Up PlaceholderAPI](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/placeholderapi-setup-guide). Avoid placeholders that refresh every tick unless you need them. ## Apply changes ``` /tab reload ``` reloads configuration without a full restart. Use a restart after installing new plugins or expansions. ## Use a free ready-made TAB config If you would rather start from a finished layout, ZCraft Studios offers a **free** TAB configuration: **[Premium TAB & Scoreboard Config](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/products/premium-tab-scoreboard-configuration)**. It includes a tablist layout with rank formatting, an animated scoreboard, bossbar messages, rank-based nametags and sorting, and slots for server information, store, vote, Discord and support messages, in English and Spanish. It is built for Paper and Spigot servers running TAB, and rank presets are editable. ![ZCraft free TAB and scoreboard config preview](https://esrjajilhtjdleheettk.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/product-images/mtbtbnnk-image_2026-08-27_214438525.png) _The free ZCraft TAB & Scoreboard config._ ## Troubleshooting | Problem | Check | | --- | --- | | Raw placeholder such as `%vault_eco_balance%` | The expansion is not installed, or the plugin behind it is missing | | Prefix missing | Permissions plugin not connected, or prefix not set in LuckPerms | | Scoreboard flickers | Another plugin is also drawing a scoreboard, or refresh rates are too fast | | Wrong rank order in the list | Group sorting rules in `groups.yml` | | Changes not applied | YAML indentation error, or you did not run `/tab reload` | | Staff-only data visible to players | A placeholder is used in a shared layout; separate staff and player views | Test with a normal player account, a staff account and a player with no rank, using different screen sizes if possible. ## TAB project examples These images come from the project's official gallery. They show publisher examples, not this server's configuration. [![TAB: official gallery example 1](https://cdn.modrinth.com/data/gG7VFbG0/images/0303154a8f4d80a7b92c3dc9e8cbb3aa60c7052f.png)](https://modrinth.com/plugin/tab-was-taken/gallery) _Official TAB gallery example. [Image source](https://modrinth.com/plugin/tab-was-taken/gallery)._ [![TAB: official gallery example 2](https://cdn.modrinth.com/data/gG7VFbG0/images/130e44074e1bfaed6c84c9e64b4a9e78c78a8e55.png)](https://modrinth.com/plugin/tab-was-taken/gallery) _Official TAB gallery example. [Image source](https://modrinth.com/plugin/tab-was-taken/gallery)._ ## Related reading - [Official TAB repository](https://github.com/NEZNAMY/TAB) - [Free vs Premium Minecraft Configs](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/free-vs-premium-minecraft-configs) - [EternalTags Plugin Setup](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/eternaltags-plugin-setup-guide) - [Minecraft Plugin Configuration Review Checklist](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-plugin-config-review-checklist) ## Continue reading - [Free vs Premium Minecraft Configs: Which to Use](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/free-vs-premium-minecraft-configs) - [LuckPerms Config, Placeholders and Verbose Guide](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/luckperms-config-placeholders-verbose-guide) - [EssentialsX Config Guide: Messages, Chat and Modules](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/essentialsx-config-guide-messages-chat) - [PaperMC Config Files Explained: Global and Per-World](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/minecraft-paper-configuration-files-explained) [ Previous guide Dynmap Setup Guide: Install, Render and Secure](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/dynmap-setup-guide)[ Next guide Adding Custom Crafting Recipes With a Datapack](https://www.zcraftstudios.com/blog/custom-crafting-recipes-datapack-guide)