Spigot BuildTools Guide

Updated · MCJarHub

SpigotMC distributes Spigot only through BuildTools. Download BuildTools.jar, run java -jar BuildTools.jar --rev 1.21.11 (any version) and it produces spigot-1.21.11.jar in the same folder. Add --compile craftbukkit to build CraftBukkit.

What BuildTools does

BuildTools is SpigotMC's official way to get Spigot and CraftBukkit. It downloads Mojang's vanilla server jar, decompiles it, applies CraftBukkit and Spigot patches and writes a working server jar — all on your computer. That is why SpigotMC never publishes spigot.jar downloads itself. Pre-built jars on mirror sites (including the labelled community mirror on our Spigot pages) are unofficial.

You need Git and the right Java

  • Git: the current BuildTools downloads and installs it automatically on Windows. On Linux install it with your package manager (sudo apt install git on Debian/Ubuntu); on macOS, git comes with the Xcode command line tools.
  • Java for the version you build (per SpigotMC's wiki and Mojang's data):
Minecraft version (--rev)Java
1.8 – 1.16.5Java 8
1.17 – 1.17.1Java 16
1.18 – 1.20.4Java 17
1.20.5 – 1.21.11Java 21
26.xJava 25

BuildTools checks the Java version and stops with a message if it doesn't fit the revision.

Build Spigot

  1. Create an empty folder and download BuildTools.jar from SpigotMC's Jenkins: hub.spigotmc.org/jenkins/job/BuildTools/…/BuildTools.jar.
  2. Open a terminal in that folder (on Windows, Git Bash or PowerShell) and run: 
    java -jar BuildTools.jar --rev 26.3
  3. Wait. The first run downloads and decompiles Mojang's server and several repositories, which takes several minutes.
  4. When it finishes, spigot-26.3.jar is in the folder. Copy it into your server folder and start it like any server jar (how).

Prefer clicking? Since 15 January 2024 BuildTools opens a GUI when you double-click the jar.

Useful flags

FlagEffect
--rev <version>Version to build; --rev latest (or no flag) builds the latest stable version
--compile craftbukkitBuild CraftBukkit (not built by default)
--output-dir <dir>Where to put the finished jar (must exist)
--final-name <name>File name of the finished jar, e.g. server.jar
--remappedFor plugin developers: also install remapped Spigot jars into your local Maven repository

Example — CraftBukkit 1.8.8 into an existing out folder:

java -jar BuildTools.jar --rev 1.8.8 --compile craftbukkit --output-dir out

Common errors

  • Java version message / UnsupportedClassVersionError: install the Java from the table above and run BuildTools with it (details).
  • git not found (Linux/macOS): install git, then run again.
  • Out of memory during decompiling: close other programs; BuildTools needs a few GB of free RAM.
  • Path problems on Windows: run it from a short folder path without special characters, e.g. C:\buildtools.
  • Old revision fails to download: check the Spigot forum/Jenkins for BuildTools updates; always use the newest BuildTools.jar.

Don't need Spigot specifically? Paper runs the same plugins, is faster and has official one-click downloads — see Paper vs Spigot vs Purpur.

FAQ

Why can't I just download spigot.jar?
After the 2014 DMCA dispute around CraftBukkit, SpigotMC only distributes BuildTools, which builds the jar on your own machine from Mojang's server.
Which Java do I need for BuildTools?
The Java version of the Minecraft version you build: Java 8 below 1.17, Java 16 for 1.17–1.17.1, Java 17 for 1.18–1.20.4, Java 21 for 1.20.5–1.21.11 (per SpigotMC's wiki and Mojang's data); 26.x needs Java 25.
Is there a GUI?
Yes. Since January 2024 BuildTools opens a GUI when you double-click it.