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SPECIFICTION
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ChatSentinel

github.com

Self-hosted
Visit github.com
Spec score 7.2 #8 of 19 in Minecraft Moderation Plugins

What it is

ChatSentinel is a self-hosted moderation plugin for Minecraft Paper servers. Its local trie filter checks chat and can load word lists for 28 languages, with leet-speak normalization and abbreviation expansion. It can also moderate whispers, signs, books, and anvil renames. Flagged content can be blocked or masked, with configurable escalation to warnings, mutes, or staff alerts. Optional moderation API and LLM review layers can add checks; both are disabled by default, so the local filter can operate without API keys. The first layer uses an OpenAI-compatible moderation endpoint. The second accepts compatible chat-completions providers, including Ollama, LM Studio, vLLM, Azure OpenAI, Together, and Groq. SQLite is the default database, with MySQL and PostgreSQL also supported. An optional PlaceholderAPI integration exposes moderation-related player details as placeholders. The README lists Java 21 or later and a Paper server as requirements. It describes a fail-open pipeline: local filtering remains active if APIs are unreachable, with a configurable timeout before messages pass through. ChatSentinel is free and open source.

Spec sheet

Purpose
ChatSentinel is a multi-layered chat moderation plugin for Minecraft Paper servers.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Integrations
PlaceholderAPI is an optional integration that exposes player moderation scores, mute status, and offense information as placeholders.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Support
The README directs users to report issues through the repository’s GitHub Issues page and asks them to include reproduction steps, version details, and relevant redacted logs.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
API compatibility
Layer 1 uses the OpenAI Moderation API by default, while Layer 2 supports OpenAI-compatible chat-completions endpoints including Ollama, LM Studio, vLLM, Azure OpenAI, Together, and Groq.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
API providers
Layer 1 uses an OpenAI-compatible moderation endpoint; Layer 2 supports OpenAI-compatible chat-completions providers including Ollama, LM Studio, vLLM, Azure OpenAI, Together, and Groq.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Data retention
Recent messages used for LLM context are held in memory and discarded when the server restarts; moderation logs can be purged by retention window.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Database options
SQLite is the default storage backend, with MySQL and PostgreSQL also supported.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Enforcement
Flagged messages can be blocked or masked, and configurable escalation can warn players, mute them, or alert staff.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Failure behavior
The documented default is a 3000 ms timeout with fail-open enabled, leaving the local filter active if moderation APIs are unreachable.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Integration
If PlaceholderAPI is installed, ChatSentinel registers placeholders for player moderation scores, mute status, remaining mute time, offense count, and time since last offense.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Language filtering
The local filter loads word lists for 28 LDNOOBW languages and normalizes leet-speak before scanning.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Local operation
Layers 1 and 2 are disabled by default, so the plugin starts with its local filter and does not require API keys for that setup.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Moderated content
It can moderate chat, whispers, signs, books, and anvil renames.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Moderation pipeline
It checks messages with a local trie filter, a moderation API, and an LLM review layer.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Optional APIs
Layers 1 and 2 are disabled by default, and the local filter works without API keys.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Other content
The plugin can moderate signs, books, anvil renames, and private messages in addition to chat.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Requirements
The README lists Java 21 or later and a Paper server as requirements, and identifies Paper API 1.21.11 in its build dependencies.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Storage
SQLite is the default database, with optional MySQL and PostgreSQL backends.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
Telemetry
The README says bStats sends anonymous aggregate usage metrics and does not transmit player data, messages, or API keys; it is controlled through the global bStats configuration.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Local filter supports word lists for 28 languages.
  • Moderates signs, books, whispers, and anvil renames.
  • API review layers are optional and off by default.
  • SQLite, MySQL, and PostgreSQL storage options.

Limits

  • Requires a Paper server and Java 21 or later.
  • Staff web panel is not available.

Who it suits

ChatSentinel suits administrators of Minecraft Paper servers who need configurable chat and content moderation. Its local-only setup can work without API keys, while optional API layers and database choices allow other configurations.

Verdict

ChatSentinel offers local filtering with optional API review and configurable enforcement. Administrators should account for its Paper and Java requirements and the absence of a staff web panel.

Where Specifiction places it

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