AstroCustomMOTD
v1.0.01.20+AstroCustomMOTD lets you set multiple server MOTDs that rotate randomly. Supports hex colors, gradients, and a player-count placeholder.
Overview
The MOTD is the line of text players see beside your server in their multiplayer list, and it is the first impression your server makes before anyone clicks Join. AstroCustomMOTD replaces the single static line from server.properties with a pool of messages that rotate at random each time the list is refreshed, so your server looks alive and changing rather than fixed. You define as many MOTDs as you like and the plugin picks one per ping.
Presentation is the point, so the plugin goes well beyond the vanilla colour codes. It supports full hex colours using the &#RRGGBB syntax and gradients that blend smoothly across a line of text, which lets your MOTD match a brand palette instead of being limited to the sixteen legacy colours. A %online% placeholder drops the live player count straight into the message, so the list entry can advertise how busy you are right now.
It also doubles as a maintenance switch. Flip maintenance mode on and the plugin serves a dedicated message you have written, making it obvious to anyone checking the list that the server is down for work rather than broken. Because all of this lives in one config file and reloads in place, you can refresh your seasonal or event MOTDs without restarting the server and dropping your players.
Who it is for
Any public-facing server that wants a polished, branded server-list entry, networks that rotate seasonal or event messaging, and admins who want a clear maintenance banner during downtime without editing server.properties by hand.
Features
- Multiple MOTDs with random rotation
- Hex color support (&#FF1F00)
- Gradient support
- Player-count placeholder %online%
- Maintenance mode toggle with custom message
- Reload on config change
Commands
| Command | Description | Permission |
|---|---|---|
/astromotd reload | Reload config | astromotd.admin |
/astromotd maintenance <on|off> | Toggle maintenance mode | astromotd.admin |
Permissions
| Node | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
astromotd.admin | Use all commands | op |
Example Config
# AstroCustomMOTD Configuration
motds:
- "&aWelcome to &6My Server"
- "&bJoin the adventure!"
maintenance:
enabled: false
message: "&cServer is under maintenance"motds is a list and the plugin chooses one entry at random per server-list ping, so add as many lines as you want variety. Each line accepts legacy codes (&a), hex codes (&#FF1F00) and gradients. Use %online% anywhere in a line to insert the live player count. Under maintenance, set enabled: true to override every MOTD with the maintenance message until you turn it back off.
Installation
Drop AstroCustomMOTD.jar into /plugins and restart. It hooks the server-list ping directly and needs no dependencies. On first start it writes a config.yml with example MOTDs; because the MOTD is what the client requests before joining, you do not need players online to test it. Hex and gradient rendering relies on clients that support modern chat colours, which covers current Minecraft versions.
Download
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the MOTD rotation work?
Every time a client refreshes the multiplayer list it pings your server, and on each ping AstroCustomMOTD picks one entry at random from the motds list. The more lines you add, the more variety players see. There is no schedule to configure; it is random per ping.
What is the difference between hex colours and gradients?
A hex colour sets one exact colour for a span of text using &#RRGGBB, giving you the full colour range instead of the sixteen legacy codes. A gradient blends between colours across a line so the text fades from one shade to another. You can use either or both within a single MOTD.
Will the colours show for every player?
Hex colours and gradients render on clients that support modern chat formatting, which covers current Minecraft versions. Players on very old clients may see a simplified version. The legacy &-codes always work, so a mixed audience still gets readable text.
How do I show the live player count in the MOTD?
Insert the %online% placeholder anywhere in a MOTD line and the plugin replaces it with the current number of players online when the list is pinged. This lets the server-list entry advertise how active you are in real time.
What does maintenance mode do?
Setting maintenance.enabled to true replaces all rotating MOTDs with the single maintenance message you define, so anyone checking the server list sees a clear 'under maintenance' notice instead of the normal text. It does not block logins by itself; it changes the displayed message. Turn it off to resume the normal rotation.
Do I have to restart to change the MOTDs?
No. Edit config.yml and run /astromotd reload to apply your changes live. That means you can swap in event or seasonal MOTDs without restarting the server and disconnecting your players.