ChatSentinel
ChatSentinel is a self-hosted moderation plugin for Minecraft Paper servers.
What ChatSentinel is
ChatSentinel is a self-hosted moderation plugin for Minecraft Paper servers. Its local trie filter can load word lists for 28 languages and normalize leet-speak or expand abbreviations. The plugin can moderate chat as well as whispers, signs, books, and anvil renames. Flagged content can be blocked or masked, with configurable warnings, mutes, or staff alerts. Optional moderation API and LLM review layers can be enabled; they are disabled by default, so the local filter can run without API keys. Layer 1 uses an OpenAI-compatible moderation endpoint, while Layer 2 supports compatible chat-completions services 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 details as placeholders. The README lists Java 21 or later and a Paper server as requirements. It also describes fail-open behavior: if moderation APIs are unreachable, local filtering remains active and a configurable timeout determines when messages pass through. ChatSentinel is free and open source.
Good
- Local filter supports word lists for 28 languages.
- Moderates chat, whispers, signs, books, and renames.
- API review layers are optional and disabled by default.
- Supports SQLite, MySQL, and PostgreSQL.
- Free and open source.
Watch out
- Requires Java 21 or later.
- Requires a Paper server.
- No staff web panel.
- API failure behavior can allow messages through after a configurable timeout.
Who it suits
ChatSentinel suits Minecraft Paper server operators who want local chat filtering with optional API-based review. It is for administrators able to meet the listed Java and Paper requirements and manage a self-hosted plugin.
Verdict
ChatSentinel offers a local-first moderation pipeline with optional provider integrations and multiple storage backends. Operators should account for the Paper and Java requirements, and configure its fail-open behavior to suit their moderation needs.
The facts
Each one read from ChatSentinel's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- 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.checked 4 Oct 2026
- 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.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Database options
- SQLite is the default storage backend, with MySQL and PostgreSQL also supported.checked 4 Oct 2026
- 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.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Enforcement
- Flagged messages can be blocked or masked, and configurable escalation can warn players, mute them, or alert staff.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Failure behavior
- The documented default is a 3000 ms timeout with fail-open enabled, leaving the local filter active if moderation APIs are unreachable.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Integration
- If PlaceholderAPI is installed, ChatSentinel registers placeholders for player moderation scores, mute status, remaining mute time, offense count, and time since last offense.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- PlaceholderAPI is an optional integration that exposes player moderation scores, mute status, and offense information as placeholders.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Language filtering
- The local filter loads word lists for 28 LDNOOBW languages and normalizes leet-speak before scanning.checked 4 Oct 2026
- 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.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Moderated content
- It can moderate chat, whispers, signs, books, and anvil renames.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Moderation pipeline
- It checks messages with a local trie filter, a moderation API, and an LLM review layer.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Optional APIs
- Layers 1 and 2 are disabled by default, and the local filter works without API keys.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Other content
- The plugin can moderate signs, books, anvil renames, and private messages in addition to chat.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- ChatSentinel is a multi-layered chat moderation plugin for Minecraft Paper servers.checked 4 Oct 2026
- 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.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Storage
- SQLite is the default database, with optional MySQL and PostgreSQL backends.checked 3 Oct 2026
- 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.checked 4 Oct 2026
- 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.checked 4 Oct 2026
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