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To optimise spigot.yml, lower entity-activation-range (for example animals and villagers from 32 to 16, monsters from 32 to 24) so mobs far from players do less, raise merge-radius so dropped items and XP stack, and turn on nerf-spawner-mobs on farm-heavy servers. All these keys are under world-settings.default in spigot.yml in your server’s main folder.

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How to edit spigot.yml safely

1

Make a backup

Click Backups, then Create backup.
2

Stop the server

Click Stop.
3

Edit the file

In Files, click spigot.yml. Find world-settings: and then default:. Change the values and click Save Content. Keep the indentation exactly as it is.
4

Start and test

Start the server, check the console for errors and compare TPS with spark tps.
Entities outside the activation range around players are “asleep” and only tick now and then. Smaller ranges save CPU.
Very small activation ranges can break farms that rely on mobs moving while no player is close. Lower values step by step and ask players if their farms still work.

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Example spigot.yml section

Only change the keys you need. Leave the rest of the file as it is.

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What else is in spigot.yml?

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How to test your spigot.yml changes

  1. Note TPS and tick times with spark tps at a busy time.
  2. Change one group of settings, for example the activation ranges, and restart.
  3. Compare spark tps at a similar busy time.
  4. Visit farms and villages to check they still work.

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Frequently asked questions

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Where is spigot.yml?

In your server’s main folder. It is created the first time a Paper, Purpur or Spigot server starts.

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What are the best spigot.yml settings?

For most servers: activation ranges of 16 for animals and villagers, 24 for monsters and 8 for misc; merge-radius item 4.0 and exp 6.0; and nerf-spawner-mobs: true if players build spawner farms.

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Can I set different values per world?

Yes. Add a section under world-settings: with the world’s name (for example world_nether:) and the keys you want to change. Anything you don’t set uses default.

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Will this fix all my lag?

It helps with entity lag. For chunk and plugin lag, see the lag checklist and spark.

Minecraft server guide

Every Minecraft guide in one place.

bukkit.yml settings

Mob caps and spawn rates.

Fix server lag

The full lag checklist.

Startup flags

Java flags and memory.
Checked against the official PaperMC spigot.yml reference on 29 October 2026, and the file steps tested on our Game Panel (Minecraft 26.1, Paper and Fabric). Defaults may change in future versions.

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Last Updated: October 2026