Command Block App
Manage and monitor your Minecraft servers from one dashboard inside Root.
Installing and managing Apps and Bots requires Root on desktop. Once installed into a community, Apps and Bots can be used on Root desktop and mobile.
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 owners 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 live data to Root. A setup wizard walks you through connecting the server, either automatically over SFTP or manually, 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 live:
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Online | The server is running and the plugin is connected. |
| Restarting | The server is restarting (for example, after a plugin update). |
| Reconnecting | The plugin is trying to reestablish its connection to Root. |
| Disconnected | The plugin lost its connection to Root. |
| Connection failed | The plugin could not connect. The API key was rejected, or the server could not be reached. Retry the connection or re-run setup. |
| Offline | The Minecraft server is not running. |
Server detail tabs
Selecting a server from the dashboard opens a detail view with tabs for each feature area:
| Tab | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Server Info | Server address, Minecraft version, player count, and the message of the day. |
| Players | Online and offline players with health, hunger, game mode, coordinates, ping, and playtime. |
| Map | Interactive world map powered by Squaremap with player position markers. |
| Chat | In-game chat messages and system events (joins, leaves, deaths). |
| Analytics | Server performance metrics (TPS, memory, CPU, disk) and player statistics (DAU, MAU, retention). |
| Console | Live console output with color-coded log levels and a command input field. |
| Connection | API endpoint and API key for third-party integrations. |
All members can see the Server Info and Players tabs. The Map, Chat, Analytics, Console, and Connection tabs appear only for members with the matching permission. For example, a member with only Map Access sees the Map tab but not Console or Analytics.
Player inventory
From the Players tab, members with the Inventory Managers permission 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 live and can be added, moved, or removed using drag-and-drop or a built-in item browser. Only one person can edit a player's inventory at a time; others see a "Locked by" indicator until it is released.
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 owners:
| Role | Description |
|---|---|
| Server Managers | Full access: add, edit, and delete servers, run the setup wizard, install and update plugins, and retry connections. |
| Console Access | View the server console and send commands. |
| Chat Access | View in-game chat and send messages. |
| Map Access | View the interactive server map. |
| Analytics Access | View server analytics and refresh data. |
| Inventory Managers | View and edit player inventories. |
| Connection Access | View the API endpoint and API key. |
All community members can view the dashboard, basic server status, and the Server Info and Players tabs. The Map, Chat, Analytics, Console, and Connection tabs are visible only to members with the matching permission.
Add a server
Server managers connect a Minecraft server using the setup wizard. The wizard opens on a mode choice:
- Automatic Setup: Command Block installs the plugin for you over SFTP.
- Manual Setup: you install the plugin yourself, then enter the connection details.
Automatic setup
- Select Add Server from the dashboard, then choose Automatic Setup.
- Enter your SFTP credentials (host, port, username, and password) and select Connect to Server.
- Review the detected server type and Minecraft version. The plugin requires a Paper, Spigot, or Bukkit server.
- Wait for the plugin to install and verify the connection.
- Select Save & Go to Dashboard to add the server.
Manual setup
Manual setup is a short wizard: Download & Install, then Connect, then finish.
- Select Add Server from the dashboard, then choose Manual Setup.
- On the Download & Install step, copy the plugin download URL and download
RootCompanion.jar. Upload it to your server'splugins/folder and restart the server. Then open the plugin'sconfig.yml, copy theapi.key(it starts withrc_), and note theapi.port(default 8080). Select Next. - On the Connect step, enter your Server Host / IP, Server Port (default 25565), API Key, and API Port (default 8080), then select Test Connection & Save.
- Select Save & Go to Dashboard to finish.
To add another server, repeat the wizard from the dashboard.
Automatic setup fields
| Field | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SFTP Host | Yes | Your server's SFTP hostname or IP address |
| Port | Yes | SFTP port. Defaults to 2022. |
| Username | Yes | SFTP login username |
| Password | Yes | SFTP login password |
Run a console command
Members with Console Access can execute commands from the Console tab.
- Open a server from the dashboard.
- Select the Console tab.
- Type a command in the input field at the bottom.
- Press Enter or select Send.
The command output appears in the console log above.
View the map
Members with Map Access can view an interactive world map.
- Open a server from the dashboard.
- Select the Map tab.
- If Squaremap is not installed, select Install Squaremap and wait for the installation to complete. Enabling it requires a server restart, so the app prompts you to Restart Now or Restart Later.
- 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.
If Squaremap fails to load, it is usually because the installed version does not match your server. You can retry the install, or use the Or install manually link on the install screen to download Squaremap from Modrinth yourself.
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.