LiteNameTags v1.0.1

LiteNameTags is a modern nametag plugin built for servers that care about performance, stability, and smooth movement.

It uses packet-based TextDisplays attached as passengers, so nametags move naturally with players without teleporting entities every tick.

Designed for crowded spawns, PvP servers, and modern Paper setups.

LiteNameTags was designed with performance, stability, and packet control as a priority.

While many nametag plugins work well on small servers, they often become expensive in crowded spawns, PvP scenarios, or high-player environments, increasing packet load and CPU usage.

LiteNameTags focuses on avoiding that by using packet budgets, queue-based updates, placeholder caching, and crowd-mode protection to reduce Netty pressure under load.

Main Features

1. Packet-based nametags with smooth vanilla-like movement.
2. Multi-line customizable layouts.
3. PlaceholderAPI support.
4. MiniMessage and legacy color support.
5. Packet queue and metadata budgets to reduce spikes.
6. Crowd-mode for large player clusters.
7. Optimized health updates for PvP servers.
8. Built-in performance command with /lnt perf.
9. Compatibility with Geyser / Floodgate, Vanish, LibsDisguises, and HMCCosmetics.

Performance Monitoring

Use /lnt perf to view real-time nametag performance stats, including processed players, sent packets, cache skips, and crowd-mode activity.

Supported Versions

1. Server software: Paper 1.21+ and compatible forks.
2. Bedrock: Limited support through Geyser / Floodgate.

Commands

1. /lnt reload - Reload configuration and nametags.
2. /lnt perf - Show live performance metrics.
3. /lnt perf reset - Reset performance counters.
4. /lnt debug - Toggle debug mode.

Installation

1. Download LiteNameTags.jar
2. Place it in your server's plugins folder
3. Make sure PacketEvents is installed
4. Install PlaceholderAPI if you want placeholders
5. Start the server and configure config.yml and groups.yml

Example groups.yml

groups:
  admin:
    permission: litenametags.group.admin
    weight: 100
    scale: 1.0
    condition: ""
    display:
      default-billboard: CENTER
      y-offset: 0.35
      view-distance: 40.0
      sneak-opacity: 70
    background:
      type: hex
      enabled: true
      opacity: 180
      shadowed: false
      seeThrough: false
      hex: "#FF0000"
    lines:
      - "FF0000&lADMIN"
      - "&f%player_name%"

  default:
    permission: litenametags.group.default
    weight: 1
    scale: 1.0
    condition: ""
    display:
      default-billboard: CENTER
      y-offset: 0.25
      view-distance: 10.0
      sneak-opacity: 50
      lighting:
        enabled: false
        block: 15
        sky: 15
    background:
      type: hex
      enabled: false
      opacity: 100
      shadowed: true
      seeThrough: false
      hex: "#000000"
    lines:
      - "&7%player_name%"
      - "&8Ping: &a%player_ping%ms"
      - "&c%player_health_rounded%"

Limitations

1. Uses TextDisplay-based nametags, so very old client versions may not render them properly.
2. Plugins that heavily modify passengers, disguises, or vanilla nametags may require extra configuration.
3. Very heavy placeholders or extreme player density may still require proper performance tuning.
4. Folia support is not currently implemented.

Disclaimer: LiteNameTags is optimized for high-player environments, but performance still depends on your placeholders, configuration, and player density.