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Paper plugins go through several distinct phases during their lifecycle. Understanding these phases is crucial for proper plugin initialization and cleanup.

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Lifecycle Phases

The plugin lifecycle consists of three main phases, plus optional bootstrapping and loading phases:

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Loader Phase (Optional)

The loader phase occurs before the plugin class is instantiated and runs in a separate classloader.

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PluginLoader Interface

Implement io.papermc.paper.plugin.loader.PluginLoader to configure your plugin’s classpath: 
package com.example.myplugin;

import io.papermc.paper.plugin.loader.PluginClasspathBuilder;
import io.papermc.paper.plugin.loader.PluginLoader;
import org.jetbrains.annotations.NotNull;

public class MyPluginLoader implements PluginLoader {
    @Override
    public void classloader(@NotNull PluginClasspathBuilder classpathBuilder) {
        // Add runtime dependencies to the classpath
        // This is useful for loading external libraries
    }
}
Register in paper-plugin.yml: 
loader: com.example.myplugin.MyPluginLoader
Static values set in the loader class will not persist when the plugin loads due to different classloaders.

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Bootstrap Phase (Optional)

The bootstrap phase runs before the server is fully loaded, allowing early initialization.

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PluginBootstrap Interface

Implement io.papermc.paper.plugin.bootstrap.PluginBootstrap for early setup: 
package com.example.myplugin;

import io.papermc.paper.plugin.bootstrap.BootstrapContext;
import io.papermc.paper.plugin.bootstrap.PluginBootstrap;
import org.jetbrains.annotations.NotNull;

public class MyPluginBootstrap implements PluginBootstrap {

    @Override
    public void bootstrap(@NotNull BootstrapContext context) {
        // Perform early initialization
        // Access logger: context.getLogger()
        // Access plugin directory: context.getDataDirectory()
        
        context.getLogger().info("Bootstrapping plugin...");
    }
}
Register in paper-plugin.yml: 
bootstrapper: com.example.myplugin.MyPluginBootstrap
The bootstrap phase is experimental. Only call API methods explicitly documented to work during bootstrap. Most Bukkit API calls will throw exceptions or return null.

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Custom Plugin Instantiation

You can override how your plugin is created: 
public class MyPluginBootstrap implements PluginBootstrap {

    @Override
    public void bootstrap(@NotNull BootstrapContext context) {
        // Bootstrap logic
    }

    @Override
    public JavaPlugin createPlugin(PluginProviderContext context) {
        // Custom plugin instantiation logic
        // For example, passing constructor arguments
        return new MyPlugin(someConfig);
    }
}

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Load Phase

The load phase occurs when your plugin is loaded but before it’s enabled.

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onLoad() Method

Override the onLoad() method in your JavaPlugin class: 
public class MyPlugin extends JavaPlugin {

    @Override
    public void onLoad() {
        // Plugin is loaded but not yet enabled
        // Good for:
        // - Registering custom world generators
        // - Setting up configuration
        // - Initializing data structures
        
        getLogger().info("Plugin loaded");
    }
}
Use onLoad() for initialization that needs to happen before the server finishes starting up, such as registering world generators.

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Load Order

Control when your plugin loads with the load field in paper-plugin.yml: 
load: STARTUP  # or POSTWORLD (default)
  • STARTUP - Loads during server startup, before worlds
  • POSTWORLD - Loads after worlds are loaded

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Enable Phase

The enable phase is when your plugin becomes active and starts functioning.

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onEnable() Method

This is the main entry point for your plugin: 
public class MyPlugin extends JavaPlugin {

    @Override
    public void onEnable() {
        // Plugin is now enabled
        // Good for:
        // - Registering event listeners
        // - Registering commands
        // - Starting tasks/schedulers
        // - Connecting to databases
        // - Loading configuration
        
        getLogger().info("Plugin enabled");
        
        // Register events
        getServer().getPluginManager().registerEvents(new MyListener(), this);
        
        // Register commands
        registerCommand("mycommand", new MyCommand());
        
        // Load config
        saveDefaultConfig();
    }
}

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Lifecycle Event Registration

During onEnable(), you can register lifecycle event handlers: 
@Override
public void onEnable() {
    getLifecycleManager().registerEventHandler(LifecycleEvents.COMMANDS, event -> {
        // Command registration logic
        event.registrar().register("mycommand", "Description", 
            Collections.emptyList(), new MyBasicCommand());
    });
}
For Paper plugins (not legacy Bukkit plugins), you cannot use getCommand() during onEnable(). Use registerCommand() instead or register via lifecycle events.

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Running Phase

Once enabled, your plugin is fully active and responds to events, commands, and scheduled tasks.

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Checking if Enabled

You can check if your plugin is currently enabled: 
if (isEnabled()) {
    // Plugin is running
}

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Internal State

The JavaPlugin class tracks its state: 
private boolean isEnabled = false;  // Set to true during onEnable()
From JavaPlugin.java:272-288: 
public final void setEnabled(final boolean enabled) {
    if (isEnabled != enabled) {
        isEnabled = enabled;

        if (isEnabled) {
            this.isBeingEnabled = true;
            try {
                onEnable();
            } finally {
                this.allowsLifecycleRegistration = false;
                this.isBeingEnabled = false;
            }
        } else {
            onDisable();
        }
    }
}

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Disable Phase

The disable phase occurs when the plugin is being shut down.

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onDisable() Method

Clean up resources when your plugin is disabled: 
public class MyPlugin extends JavaPlugin {

    @Override
    public void onDisable() {
        // Plugin is being disabled
        // Good for:
        // - Saving data
        // - Closing database connections
        // - Canceling tasks
        // - Cleaning up resources
        
        getLogger().info("Plugin disabled");
        
        // Save data
        saveConfig();
        
        // Close connections
        if (database != null) {
            database.close();
        }
    }
}
Always implement onDisable() to ensure proper cleanup. This prevents resource leaks and data loss.

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Complete Lifecycle Example

package com.example.myplugin;

import org.bukkit.plugin.java.JavaPlugin;

public final class MyPlugin extends JavaPlugin {

    @Override
    public void onLoad() {
        getLogger().info("[Load] Initializing data structures...");
        // Early initialization
    }

    @Override
    public void onEnable() {
        getLogger().info("[Enable] Starting plugin...");
        
        // Load configuration
        saveDefaultConfig();
        
        // Register listeners
        getServer().getPluginManager().registerEvents(new MyListener(), this);
        
        // Register commands
        registerCommand("mycommand", new MyCommand());
        
        getLogger().info("[Enable] Plugin enabled successfully!");
    }

    @Override
    public void onDisable() {
        getLogger().info("[Disable] Shutting down plugin...");
        
        // Save data
        saveConfig();
        
        getLogger().info("[Disable] Plugin disabled successfully!");
    }
}

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Key Lifecycle Methods Summary

MethodWhen CalledPurpose
classloader()Before plugin loads (separate classloader)Configure runtime classpath
bootstrap()Before server loadsEarly initialization
onLoad()Plugin loaded, not enabledSetup before enable
onEnable()Plugin is being enabledMain initialization
onDisable()Plugin is being disabledCleanup and save data

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Best Practices

  1. Use the right phase: Don’t do heavy initialization in onLoad() that belongs in onEnable()
  2. Always implement onDisable(): Clean up resources to prevent memory leaks
  3. Don’t block the main thread: Keep lifecycle methods fast
  4. Handle errors gracefully: Catch exceptions in lifecycle methods to prevent plugin load failures
  5. Log lifecycle events: Help with debugging by logging what’s happening

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