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Vaibhav Vishwakarma edited this page Dec 27, 2025 · 1 revision

Usage Guide

SpectatorPlusPlus provides powerful spectator tools with intuitive commands and GUI interfaces. This guide covers all available features and how to use them.


🔑 Permissions

Basic Permissions

  • spectatorplusplus.use - Allows use of /spectator command
  • spectatorplusplus.admin - Access to all admin commands

Command-Specific Permissions

  • spectatorplusplus.command.lobby - Use lobby management commands
  • spectatorplusplus.command.reload - Reload configuration
  • spectatorplusplus.command.help - View help command

🎮 Player Commands

Enter/Exit Spectator Mode

Use: /spectator Description: Toggle spectator mode on and off. When entering spectator mode, you'll be teleported to the spectator lobby. When leaving, you'll return to your original location.

Permissions: spectatorplusplus.use


Player Selection GUI

Item: Compass (Hotbar slot 0)

Description: Right-click the compass to open a GUI showing all online players. Click on a player to teleport to them in spectator mode.

GUI Features:

  • Player heads with current skin
  • Health indicators
  • Gamemode icons
  • World information
  • Click to teleport to player

First-Person Spectating

Method 1: Right-click a player while holding nothing Method 2: Select player from compass GUI

Controls:

  • Sneak (Shift): Stop spectating
  • Mouse Wheel: Switch between nearby players
  • Right-click: Open player's inventory view (if enabled)

Exit: Press Shift or use /spectator command


Visibility Toggle

Item: Eye of Ender (Hotbar slot 2)

Description: Toggle visibility of other spectators. Right-click to show/hide other players in spectator mode.

Cycle:

  1. Show all spectators
  2. Hide all spectators
  3. Show only nearby spectators

Chat Toggle

Item: Book (Hotbar slot 4)

Description: Toggle between spectator-only chat and global chat. Right-click to switch modes.

Chat Modes:

  • Spectator Chat: Messages only visible to other spectators
  • Global Chat: Messages visible to all players

Leave Spectator Mode

Item: Barrier block (Hotbar slot 8)

Description: Click to exit spectator mode and return to the spectator lobby.

Alternative: Use /spectator command


⚙️ Admin Commands

Set Spectator Lobby

Use: /spectator lobby set Description: Set your current location as the spectator lobby. This location is where players spawn when entering spectator mode and return to when leaving.

Permissions: spectatorplusplus.admin or spectatorplusplus.command.lobby

Requirements: Must be run before players can use spectator mode


Remove Spectator Lobby

Use: /spectator lobby remove Description: Remove the current spectator lobby location.

Permissions: spectatorplusplus.admin or spectatorplusplus.command.lobby


Reload Configuration

Use: /spectator reload Description: Reload the plugin configuration from config.yml without restarting the server.

Permissions: spectatorplusplus.admin or spectatorplusplus.command.reload


Help Command

Use: /spectator help Description: Display all available commands and their usage.

Permissions: spectatorplusplus.use or spectatorplusplus.command.help


🎯 Spectator Features

Flight Controls

  • Spacebar: Ascend (if flight enabled)
  • Shift: Descend (if flight enabled)
  • Double Spacebar: Toggle flight (if enabled in config)
  • WASD: Standard movement

Navigation

  • Compass GUI: Browse all online players
  • Player Teleport: Click players in compass GUI to teleport
  • World Navigation: Access all worlds from spectator lobby
  • First-Person View: See through players' eyes

Player Interaction

  • Invisibility: Spectators are invisible to regular players (configurable)
  • Entity Passing: Walk through entities and blocks
  • No Interaction: Cannot interact with blocks or entities
  • Inventory View: View target player's inventory (first-person mode)

🖥️ Hotbar Layout

Default hotbar layout in spectator mode:

Slot Item Function Description
0 Compass Player Selection Open GUI to teleport to players
1 Empty - Free slot for server items
2 Eye of Ender Visibility Toggle Show/hide other spectators
3 Empty - Free slot for server items
4 Book Chat Toggle Switch between chat modes
5-7 Empty - Free slots for server items
8 Barrier Leave Spectator Exit spectator mode

Note: Hotbar slots can be customized in config.yml


🔄 Workflow Examples

Basic Spectator Session

  1. Use /spectator to enter spectator mode
  2. Spawn in spectator lobby with spectator tools
  3. Use compass to open player selection GUI
  4. Click a player to teleport to them
  5. Right-click player for first-person view
  6. Use hotbar items to toggle visibility/chat
  7. Click barrier or use /spectator to exit

Admin Setup Process

  1. Set up spectator world (spectator_lobby)
  2. Build lobby area with instructions/viewing areas
  3. Run /spectator lobby set in the lobby
  4. Configure permissions for staff/players
  5. Test spectator mode with admin account
  6. Adjust configuration as needed
  7. Grant permissions to appropriate groups

Event Spectating

  1. Enter spectator mode
  2. Toggle visibility to hide from other spectators
  3. Use first-person view to follow specific players
  4. Toggle spectator chat for coordinator communication
  5. Use compass to quickly switch between players
  6. Record observations without interfering

⚠️ Common Usage Notes

Restrictions

  • Cannot break or place blocks
  • Cannot pick up items
  • Cannot attack entities or players
  • Cannot use most interactive items
  • Hotbar items are locked (configurable)

Best Practices

  1. Set Lobby First: Always run /spectator lobby set before allowing players
  2. Permission Groups: Create separate groups for staff and event spectators
  3. Lobby Design: Design spectator lobby with clear exits and instructions
  4. Testing: Test all features in development environment first
  5. Backups: Backup world before major events with many spectators

Troubleshooting

  • Can't enter spectator mode: Check permissions and ensure lobby is set
  • Can't see other spectators: Check visibility toggle and config settings
  • GUI not working: Ensure you're in spectator mode and have permissions
  • Not teleporting to players: Check world permissions and teleport settings

🎥 Use Cases

Staff Monitoring

  • Monitor player behavior without being seen
  • Investigate reports by spectating reported players
  • Watch build projects without interfering

Event Management

  • Spectate tournaments and competitions
  • Monitor event areas for rule violations
  • Provide commentary through spectator chat
  • Record event footage from multiple perspectives

Building & Creative

  • Review builds from different angles
  • Check for griefing or unauthorized modifications
  • Plan large projects by surveying areas
  • Document server progress

Player Support

  • Help stuck players by finding their location
  • Verify bug reports by witnessing issues
  • Assist new players by observing their gameplay
  • Monitor AFK areas for auto-kick systems

📝 Additional Tips

  1. Combine with other plugins: Use with recording plugins for event footage
  2. Customize messages: Edit config.yml messages for your server theme
  3. World-specific setups: Configure different settings for different worlds
  4. Staff training: Create tutorial sessions for new staff members
  5. Feedback system: Collect player feedback on spectator features

For advanced configuration options, see the Configuration Guide.