WorldEdit
In-game world editor. Select regions and perform large-scale block changes, copy/paste, brush tools and schematic import/export.
World ManagementWhat is WorldEdit?
WorldEdit by EngineHub turns block-by-block building into bulk operations. You define a cuboid (or other shape) selection with a wand, then run a command that affects every block inside it at once — fill it, replace one material with another, hollow it out or smooth its surface. It adds brush tools that paint terrain as you swing, a clipboard for copy/cut/paste with rotation, and schematic files for saving and loading structures. It is the foundation that WorldGuard, FastAsyncWorldEdit and many terrain tools build on top of.
Who it's for: Builders, map makers and administrators who need to shape terrain or move large structures. Indispensable on creative servers and during the construction phase of survival spawns and hubs. It is built and maintained by EngineHub (sk89q) and sits in the world management category.
Key features of WorldEdit
- Region selection tools
- Copy, cut and paste
- Brush tools
- Schematic support
- Block replacement
- Shape generation
- Biome editing
- History and undo system
- Expression-based commands
- CUI visualization
How to install WorldEdit
WorldEdit runs on Bukkit, Spigot or Paper servers. EngineHub maintains WorldEdit for current Minecraft versions on Bukkit/Spigot/Paper; the same project also ships Fabric and Forge builds. Match the WorldEdit version to your server version, as block data handling changes between releases.
- 1Stop your server, or have it ready to restart. Always back up your world and plugins folder before adding a new plugin.
- 2Download WorldEdit.jar (a build matching your server version) and place it in your server's /plugins folder.
- 3WorldEdit has no required dependencies, so it runs on its own once the jar is in place.
- 4Start the server fully. WorldEdit generates its configuration files on first launch — stop the server, edit them to taste, then start again.
- 5Confirm it loaded by checking the console for WorldEdit on startup, or by running one of its commands in-game.
Note: Drop WorldEdit's Bukkit build into /plugins and restart. No dependencies are required. Because its commands edit the world directly, restrict WorldEdit permissions to trusted staff — an unbounded //set on a large selection can rewrite huge areas and stress the server.
WorldEdit commands and permissions
Main commands
//wand- Gives the selection wand (a wooden axe by default); left-click sets position one, right-click sets position two.
//set- Fills the entire selection with a single block type.
//replace- Swaps one block type for another only where the first exists, leaving the rest of the selection untouched.
//copy- Copies the selection to your clipboard relative to your position, ready to //paste elsewhere.
//undo- Reverts your most recent WorldEdit operation; can be repeated to step back through history.
//brush- Binds a brush (sphere, cylinder, smooth and more) to a tool so you sculpt terrain by clicking at range.
Permission nodes
worldedit.wand- Allows obtaining and using the selection wand.
worldedit.region.*- Grants the region-editing commands such as //set, //replace and //overlay.
worldedit.clipboard.*- Enables copy, cut and paste operations.
worldedit.brush.*- Allows binding and using brush tools.
WorldEdit FAQ
How do I make a selection in WorldEdit?
Run //wand to get the wooden axe, left-click one corner to set position 1 and right-click the opposite corner for position 2. You can also type //pos1 and //pos2 at your feet, or use //hpos1/2 to target the block you are looking at.
I made a mistake — how do I undo it?
Type //undo to reverse your last operation, and repeat it to step further back through your edit history. //redo reapplies an undone change. History is per-player, so your undo will not affect another builder's edits.
Why does a big //set lag or crash my server?
Vanilla WorldEdit applies edits synchronously, so a very large selection blocks the main thread while it processes. Break the edit into smaller pieces, or install FastAsyncWorldEdit, which performs the same operations asynchronously without freezing the server.
What is a schematic and how do I use one?
A schematic is a saved structure file. //copy then //schematic save <name> stores your selection; //schematic load <name> followed by //paste places it on another server or location. Schematics are how prebuilt spawns and arenas are shared.
Does WorldEdit work alongside WorldGuard?
Yes — in fact WorldGuard depends on WorldEdit for its region selections. Install WorldEdit first. Note that WorldGuard can be configured to block WorldEdit operations inside protected regions for players who lack override permission.
Features
- Region selection tools
- Copy, cut and paste
- Brush tools
- Schematic support
- Block replacement
- Shape generation
- Biome editing
- History and undo system
- Expression-based commands
- CUI visualization
Commands
//wand//set//replace//copy//paste//undo//redo//brush//schematic//pos1//pos2//expand//contractPermissions
worldedit.wandworldedit.selection.*worldedit.region.*worldedit.clipboard.*worldedit.brush.*worldedit.schematic.*worldedit.history.*