# Installation

URL: https://greenarrowlol.github.io/TNTGamesCore/docs/getting-started/installation/
Section: getting-started
Description: Requirements, install steps, first run, and building your first arena.

---

> For a complete page index, fetch https://greenarrowlol.github.io/TNTGamesCore/llms.txt.

Requirements, how to install the plugin, and how to build your first arena.

## Requirements

| Requirement | Notes |
| --- | --- |
| Server software | Spigot or Paper |
| Minecraft version | 1.16.5 |
| Java | 8 or newer |
| PlaceholderAPI | Optional. Needed only for scoreboard placeholders and external placeholders. |

The plugin has no hard dependencies. It runs on plain Spigot.

## Install

::::{steps}
:::{step} Stop the server
Shut the server down fully before adding the jar.
:::{/step}

:::{step} Drop in the jar
Move the plugin jar into your server's `plugins/` folder. Get the jar from the [Download](/docs/getting-started/download/) page.
:::{/step}

:::{step} Start the server once
Start the server so the plugin generates its config files, then you can edit them.
:::{/step}

:::{step} Set the global spawn and lobby
Stand where players should return to after a game and run the setup commands below.
:::{/step}

:::{step} Build an arena
Create an arena, mark its region, set its spawns, and save it. Then join and play.
:::{/step}
:::{/steps}

## Plugin folder layout

After the first start you get:

```
plugins/
  TNTGamesCore/
    config.yml       Game settings, selector and leave items, countdown, database
    messages.yml     Every player-facing message
    scoreboard.yml   Scoreboard layouts per game and state
    stats.db         Player stats (created when using SQLite, the default)
    arenas/          Saved arena regions and settings
```

See [Configuration](/docs/configuration/configuration/) for what each file controls.

## Set the global spawn and lobby

These are server-wide, not per arena. Players fall back to the global spawn when they leave a game.

```
/tt setgspawn     Set the global spawn (where players go after a game)
/tt setglobby     Set the global lobby
```

:::{warning}
If neither the global lobby nor the global spawn is set, players leaving a game fall back to the world spawn, and the console warns you to run `/tt setglobby` and `/tt setgspawn`. Set both before opening to players.
:::

## Build your first arena

You mark the arena region with a wand, set the spawn points, then save. `/tt setupstatus` tells you what is still missing at any point.

::::{steps}
:::{step} Create the arena
Pick a type: `tnt_run`, `tnt_tag`, or `bow_spleef`.

```
/tt create <name> <type>
```
:::{/step}

:::{step} Get the wand and mark the region
The wand marks the two corners that define the arena's build region (used for regeneration).

```
/tt wand
/tt setcorner1 <arena>
/tt setcorner2 <arena>
```
:::{/step}

:::{step} Set the spawns
Set the in-game spawn and the waiting lobby for this arena.

```
/tt setspawn <arena>
/tt setlobby <arena>
```
:::{/step}

:::{step} Save the region
Save the arena blocks so the plugin can regenerate the map after each round.

```
/tt save <arena>
```
:::{/step}

:::{step} Check what is missing
Run the status check. It lists any step still needed before the arena can open.

```
/tt setupstatus <arena>
```
:::{/step}
:::{/steps}

:::{tip}
Prefer a menu? Run `/tt setup <arena>` to open the setup GUI, or `/tt quicksetup <name> <type>` for a faster path. Each game type has a few extra settings (timer, taggers, floor block, game mode). See that game's feature page and the [Commands](/docs/reference/commands/) reference.
:::

## The wand flow, step by step

The wand gives you a guided path from an empty world to a playable arena.

**Step 1: get the wand.** Type `/tt wand` to receive the creation tool. Instructions appear in chat.

![Typing /tt wand to receive the creation tool, with instructions in chat](https://images.reavermc.club/Milksnake/Discord_Qd4MiTIMYR.gif)

**Step 2: mark the boundaries.** Click the two corners to define the arena region. A game selector then opens.

![Clicking the corners to define the arena boundaries, then a selector opens](https://images.reavermc.club/Badger/Discord_85jtUtM4j5.gif)

**Step 3: pick a mode and name it.** Choose a mode (for example TNT Run) and type an arena name in chat.

![Picking TNT Run and entering an arena name in chat](https://images.reavermc.club/Flyinglemur/Discord_1SbWT6g5fW.gif)

**Step 4: final settings.** The setup GUI opens for the last configuration: timers, player limits, and mechanics.

![The setup GUI open for final configuration of timers, player limits, and mechanics](https://images.reavermc.club/Pullet/Discord_BUyGXWOtB5.gif)

## Optional integrations

- **PlaceholderAPI**: install it to use the scoreboard placeholders and expose TNTGamesCore stats to other plugins. See [Placeholders](/docs/reference/placeholders/).

## Next steps

- [Configuration](/docs/configuration/configuration/): tune games, items, and the countdown.
- [Commands](/docs/reference/commands/): the full command list.
- [Features](/docs/features/tnt-run/): how each game plays and what you can set.