> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.hauch.dev/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Installing hChat

> Download and install hChat on your Paper server.

## Prerequisites

> **Paper 1.20+**
>
> A running Paper server.

> **Java 21+**
>
> Required runtime version.

> **PlaceholderAPI 2.11+**
>
> Must be installed.

> [!TIP]
>
> [LuckPerms](https://luckperms.net) is recommended for permission management.

## Download

Download the latest JAR from the [releases page](https://github.com/hauchdev/hChat/releases/latest) or from [Modrinth](https://modrinth.com/plugin/hchat).

```bash theme={null}
wget https://github.com/hauchdev/hChat/releases/latest/download/hChat.jar
```

## Install

**1. Place the jar**

Move the downloaded JAR into your server's `plugins/` folder.

```bash theme={null}
mv hChat.jar /path/to/server/plugins/
```

**2. Install dependencies**

Make sure PlaceholderAPI is installed. LuckPerms is recommended for permission management.

**3. Start the server**

Start or restart your server. hChat will create `plugins/hChat/config.yml` and `plugins/hChat/lang/lang_en.yml` on first start.

**4. Configure**

Edit `config.yml` to match your server setup, then run `/hchat reload`.

## Verify the installation

Run `/hchat about` in-game or `hchat about` from the console. You should see the plugin version, authors, and feature overview.

## Updating

To update hChat:

1. Stop your server.
2. Replace the old JAR with the new one in `plugins/`.
3. Start the server again.

Your config and language files are preserved. New options are added automatically when missing.

## Next steps

> **[Configuration](https://docs.hauch.dev/en/hChat/configuration.md)**
>
> Learn every config option.

> **[Commands](https://docs.hauch.dev/en/hChat/commands.md)**
>
> See all available commands.

> **[Permissions](https://docs.hauch.dev/en/hChat/permissions.md)**
>
> Set up permissions.


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