Product overview

A focused tool progression layer for vanilla Paper servers.

CoreToolsX controls the tool crafting path, adds netherite-only visual skins, supports spears, and keeps normal upgraded tools clean.

Core Design

CoreToolsX is a Paper-only vanilla+ tool progression plugin for Minecraft/Paper 1.21.11+. It adds controlled tool crafting without custom GUIs, databases, economy hooks, or required external plugins.

Normal upgraded tools stay clean: upgraded items use their vanilla Bukkit material and do not receive CoreToolsX PDC. CoreToolsX identity is stored only on skinned tools and internal skin state.

Tool Progression

The default progression creates a controlled chain from starter tools to late-game tools:

WOOD -> STONE
STONE -> COPPER
COPPER -> IRON
IRON -> DIAMOND
IRON -> GOLD

Swords, pickaxes, axes, shovels, hoes, and spears are supported. Protected direct vanilla crafting can be blocked at runtime, while wooden crafting and vanilla diamond to netherite smithing remain untouched.

Recipe System

Recipes are configured in YAML. Ingredient groups let one recipe accept a named set of materials, and runtime matching requires separate one-item ingredient slots to reduce stack-based crafting edge cases.

  • Static recipe-book entries can be enabled for vanilla discovery.
  • Runtime validation checks the real item and CoreToolsX rules.
  • Reload removes and re-registers CoreToolsX recipes without duplicating them.

Metadata Preservation

Tool transformations preserve supported item data, including custom name, original lore, enchantments, durability damage, max damage where supported, repair cost where supported, item flags, unbreakable state, compatible custom data, and non-CoreToolsX PDC.

Generated CoreToolsX lore is rebuilt from the current config and the saved original lore snapshot.

Netherite Tool Skins

CoreToolsX supports netherite-only visual skins for wood, stone, copper, iron, gold, and diamond. A skinned netherite tool changes to the visual material while keeping netherite-equivalent max damage, mining, and combat behavior where supported by Paper.

The item stores clean material and skin identity in PDC so it can be inspected, fixed, stripped, or refreshed safely.

Inventory Model Mode

Skinned tools can use VISUAL_SKIN mode by default with no resource pack. REAL_TIER mode requires the CoreToolsX resource-pack addon and shows netherite in GUI, ground, fixed, and shelf contexts while keeping the visual skin in hand.

Generated Lore

Generated lore is controlled by skins.lore.generated-lines. The {item_lore} entry inserts the saved original item lore exactly where configured; if missing, original lore remains stored but hidden.

Skin Durability

Optional skin durability is configured in tool-skins.yml. Supported modes are DISABLED, GLOBAL, BY_SKIN, and BY_ITEM. Mending behavior can be disabled, split between real and skin durability, or doubled.

When enabled, skin durability can mirror real tool damage. When the skin breaks, the configured behavior can remove the skin and return the item to clean netherite.

Skin Removal and Fire/Lava Behavior

Skins can be removed through crafting:

skinned tool + SHEARS -> clean netherite tool

The removal tool is configurable. By default, shears lose one durability instead of being consumed. Dropped skinned tools can also be protected from fire and lava destruction, or stripped back to clean netherite when configured.

Progression Locks and Commands

Progression locks are permission-based. CoreToolsX does not store player unlock data. Supported surfaces include upgrade permissions, skin permissions, optional usage permissions, and a global bypass permission.

/coretoolsx help
/coretoolsx version
/coretoolsx reload
/coretoolsx inspect
/coretoolsx fixitem

Compatibility and Scope

CoreToolsX requires Paper 1.21.11+ and Java 21+. It does not require Vault, PlaceholderAPI, database storage, custom GUI libraries, CoreArmorX, or custom item plugins. The resource-pack addon is optional and only needed for REAL_TIER inventory models.