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Command Block App

Manage and monitor your Minecraft servers from a single dashboard inside Root.

note

Apps and Bots are only available on Desktop.

What is Command Block?

Command Block is a community app that connects your Minecraft servers to Root so you can monitor players, run console commands, view chat, explore an interactive map, and track server performance. Community leaders grant access to specific features through permission groups, so server managers, moderators, and members each see only what they need.

How it works

Each Minecraft server is connected through a companion plugin that relays real-time data to Root. A setup wizard walks you through installing the plugin via SFTP, and once connected the server appears on your dashboard with live status updates.

Dashboard

The dashboard shows all connected servers as cards. Each card displays the server name, online status, player count, Minecraft version, and server address. Status indicators update in real time:

StatusMeaning
OnlineThe server is running and the plugin is connected.
OfflineThe Minecraft server is not running.
DisconnectedThe plugin lost its connection to Root.
RestartingThe server is restarting (for example, after a plugin update).
Connection FailedThe plugin could not connect. Check your SFTP credentials and server configuration.

Server detail tabs

Selecting a server from the dashboard opens a detail view with tabs for each feature area:

TabWhat it shows
Server InfoServer address, Minecraft version, player count, MOTD, and server icon.
PlayersOnline and offline players with health, hunger, game mode, coordinates, ping, and playtime.
ConsoleLive console output with color-coded log levels and a command input field.
ChatIn-game chat messages and system events (joins, leaves, deaths).
MapInteractive world map powered by Squaremap with player position markers.
AnalyticsServer performance metrics (TPS, memory, CPU, disk) and player statistics (DAU, MAU, retention).
ConnectionAPI endpoint and API key for third-party integrations.

Which tabs appear depends on your permissions. For example, a member with only Map Access sees the Map tab but not Console or Analytics.

Player inventory

From the Players tab, server managers and inventory managers can open a player's inventory page. The inventory displays a Minecraft-style grid with the player's items, armor, and off-hand slot. Items update in real time and can be added, moved, or removed using drag-and-drop or a built-in item browser.

Plugin updates

When a newer version of the companion plugin is available, the dashboard shows an update badge on the server card. Server managers can update the plugin directly from the server detail view by providing their SFTP password. The plugin restarts automatically and reconnects with the new version.

Roles and permissions

Command Block uses seven permission groups configured by community leaders:

RoleDescription
Server ManagersFull access: add, edit, and delete servers, run the setup wizard, install and update plugins, and retry connections.
Console AccessView the server console and send commands.
Chat AccessView in-game chat and send messages.
Map AccessView the interactive server map.
Analytics AccessView server analytics and refresh data.
Inventory ManagersView and edit player inventories.
Connection AccessView the API endpoint and API key.

All community members can view the dashboard and see basic server status. Feature-specific tabs are visible only to members with the matching permission.

Add a server

Server managers connect a Minecraft server using the setup wizard.

  1. Select Add Server from the dashboard.
  2. Enter your SFTP credentials (host, port, username, and password) and select Connect.
  3. Review the detected server type and Minecraft version. The plugin requires a Paper, Spigot, or Bukkit server.
  4. Wait for the plugin to install and verify the connection.
  5. Select Save & Go to Dashboard to add the server.

To add another server, repeat the wizard from the dashboard.

Setup wizard fields

FieldRequiredNotes
SFTP HostYesYour server's SFTP hostname or IP address
SFTP PortYesDefaults to the standard SFTP port
SFTP UsernameYesSFTP login username
SFTP PasswordYesSFTP login password

Run a console command

Members with Console Access can execute commands from the Console tab.

  1. Open a server from the dashboard.
  2. Select the Console tab.
  3. Type a command in the input field at the bottom.
  4. Press Enter or select Send Command.

The command output appears in the console log above.

View the map

Members with Map Access can view an interactive world map.

  1. Open a server from the dashboard.
  2. Select the Map tab.
  3. If Squaremap is not installed, select Install Squaremap and wait for the installation to complete.
  4. Browse the map using pan and zoom controls. Player markers show each online player's position.

The map starts blank after Squaremap is first installed. Tiles generate automatically as players explore the world, so the map fills in over time. Areas that no player has visited will remain empty.

tip

If the map appears empty or is missing areas, run /squaremap fullrender minecraft:overworld from the server console to pre-render all existing tiles. This command can take a while on large worlds and will use additional server resources while it runs.