> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://ads.darkplugins.de/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://ads.darkplugins.de/plugin-installation/first-install.md).

# First install

How to install the plugin

{% hint style="info" %}
It's recommended to configure on a test server on your PC to avoid mistakes and restarts. Players dislike downtime. Upload to your live server once everything is set up.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
Make sure your server version is between 1.16 and 1.21 as these are the supported versions. Older versions are not supported!
{% endhint %}

## Step 1 - Installing the plugin

* Stop the server
* Put the `Ads.jar` in your plugins folder
* Start the server
* Let Ads create it's necessary folders and finish loading

## Step 2 - Setup a database connection (optional)

The plugin saves user settings in userdata.db within the data folder. To store settings in your own database, modify the config.yml file.

### More detailed description

{% content-ref url="/pages/1WeOqvcGrXE8EZVdBrnl" %}
[Database](/plugin-settings/config/database.md)
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## Step 3 - Edit and configure the plugin settings (optional)

{% hint style="danger" %}
Don't forget to check the requirements if you change settings, as some depend on other plugins. [<mark style="color:green;">See the Requirements section</mark>](/plugin-installation/requirements.md)
{% endhint %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/lKbcHzR6G8e6QxrDmWuo" %}
[Config](/plugin-settings/config.md)
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