> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://wiki.helpch.at/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://wiki.helpch.at/helpchat-plugins/chatchat.md).

# ChatChat

ChatChat feature overview and setup guide.

ChatChat is a configurable chat plugin for Paper servers. It provides public chat channels, message formats, private messages, mentions, chat controls, and an API for integrations.

ChatChat requires Paper 1.21.9 or later.

## Features

* Public channels with permissions, optional chat radius, quick message prefixes, channel commands, and proxy-wide forwarding.
* Global and per-channel formats built with MiniMessage and PlaceholderAPI.
* Local and proxy-wide private messages, replies, social spy, ignore lists, and staff-enforced separations.
* Personal mentions and channel mentions with configurable formats and sounds.
* Player controls for public chat and ranged channel messages.
* Configurable MiniMessage placeholders and permission-controlled message tags.
* Optional integrations for Towny, DiscordSRV, vanish plugins, GriefPrevention, and DeluxeChat compatibility.
* An API for custom channel types, hooks, rules, mentions, placeholders, and event listeners.

## Getting started

1. Install ChatChat and its required dependency, PlaceholderAPI.
2. Configure `channels.yml` and `formats.yml` for your server.
3. Give players the permissions for the channels and formats they should use.
4. Use `/chatchat reload` after ordinary configuration changes. Restart after changing channel commands or `extensions.yml`.

## Documentation

* [Commands](/helpchat-plugins/chatchat/commands.md)
* [Permissions](/helpchat-plugins/chatchat/permissions.md)
* [Channels](/helpchat-plugins/chatchat/channels.md)
* [Formats](/helpchat-plugins/chatchat/formats.md)
* [Private messaging](/helpchat-plugins/chatchat/private-messaging.md)
* [Mentions](/helpchat-plugins/chatchat/mentions.md)
* [Placeholders](/helpchat-plugins/chatchat/placeholders.md)
* [MiniMessage tags in chat](/helpchat-plugins/chatchat/tags.md)
* [Optional integrations](/helpchat-plugins/chatchat/extensions.md)
* [Configuration files](/helpchat-plugins/chatchat/files.md)
* [Developer API](/helpchat-plugins/chatchat/api.md)


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