PluginScanner
by migrant45
PluginScanner is a client-side Fabric utility that tries to identify which server plugins a Minecraft server runs, using the information a client already receives.
What it does
The mod reads the plugin channels a server exposes, the commands it registers and other features a client can observe, then matches them against a set of known plugins such as WorldEdit, LuckPerms, EssentialsX and CoreProtect. Detection relies on available client-side data, so results depend on what the server exposes; the author notes that servers that hide or modify this information can avoid detection, and that results may be inaccurate.
Only the client needs the mod, so a server does not have to install anything to be scanned, and servers run without it. Builds cover 1.21.1 – 26.2 across four game versions, with 1.3.0 for 26.2 as the latest Fabric file. The code is released under the MIT License, but the project is not open source. The author describes it as a tool for inspecting servers, and the notes also list a separate command-line tool named plscan, which the author marks as prohibited.
Key features
Plugin channel analysis
The mod inspects the plugin channels a server advertises and compares them with a list of recognized plugin identifiers.
Command signature matching
Server commands and their signatures are checked for patterns that point to known plugins.
Known plugin list
The mod looks for common plugins including WorldEdit, LuckPerms, EssentialsX and CoreProtect, plus others on its list.
Multi-version support
Builds are published for 1.21.1, 1.21.4, 1.21.11 and 26.2, so the same tool works across those releases.
Gallery
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Use cases
Who it’s for: The mod suits players curious about a server's setup and server staff who want a quick view of its plugin channels and commands. It needs no changes on the server side.
How it compares
MChangeHighlighter is a client-side Fabric mod, open source under the GNU Lesser General Public License v3.0 only, published for 1.21.10. ShadowTrace is also client-side on Fabric, open source under the same license, and covers 1.21.5 – 26.3. Bssentials is a server-side Fabric mod for 1.16.4 – 1.21.5 under the same license, so it adds nothing to a client. PluginScanner differs by being client-side only, MIT licensed, and targeting 1.21.1 – 26.2.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PluginScanner | Fabric | 1.21.1 – 26.2 | Client-side only | 2026-07-22 |
| MChangeHighlighter | Fabric | 1.21.10 | Client-side only | 2025-11-28 |
| ShadowTrace | Fabric | 1.21.5 – 26.3 | Client-side only | 2026-09-24 |
| Bssentials (Fabric) | Fabric | 1.16.4 – 1.21.5 | Server-side only | 2025-06-07 |
Questions
Does PluginScanner need to be installed on the server?
Is PluginScanner's detection accurate?
Which loader does PluginScanner support?
In the catalog
PluginScanner is one of 36,990 Utility mods on ModsFinder, and one of 25,772 Utility mods for Fabric. 13,894 mods support Minecraft 26.2.
Similar mods
What the author says
Plugin Scanner is a client-side Fabric mod that helps detect Minecraft server plugins using information available to the client The mod analyzes plugin channels, server commands, and other detectable server features to identify known plugins such as WorldEdit, LuckPerms, EssentialsX, CoreProtect, and more
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/pluginscanner
- Owner
- migrant45
- Published
- 2026-07-22
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2026-07-22
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15