Private Chests

Simple, powerful container protection for your Minecraft server. Protect chests and barrels using wall signs with [private] or [public]. No complicated setup - just place a sign and your container is protected.

What Does This Mod Do?

Private Chests is a server-side Fabric mod that lets players protect chests and barrels from other players.

Attach a wall sign to a chest or barrel and write:

[private] to make it owner-only, with optional shared access
[public] to let everyone open it while still keeping it protected from griefing

The mod handles protection automatically - blocking unauthorized access, preventing chest expansion exploits, stopping hopper theft, and protecting containers from explosions and fire.

Server-side only - no client mod required. Players can join with vanilla clients.

Features

🔒 Simple Sign-Based Protection

Place a wall sign on any chest or barrel
Write [private] or [public] on line 1
[private] supports additional player names on the remaining lines
Supports comma-separated names: Player1, Player2
Use both sides of the sign

🛡️ Comprehensive Security

Private containers - only the owner and listed players can open them
Public containers - anyone can open them, but they stay protected
Prevents chest expansion exploits - non-owners can't place chests next to protected containers
Stops hopper theft - hoppers can't move items in or out of protected containers
Explosion protection - TNT and creepers won't destroy protected containers
Fire protection - fire can't spread to protected containers
Sign protection - only the owner or admin can edit or break protection signs

🎮 Player-Friendly Features

Double chest support - automatically handles double chests
Owner expansion - owners can extend their single chest to double
Easy removal - break your own protected chest/container directly (auto-removes protection)
No player commands needed - players just use signs

🌍 Cross-Platform Compatible

Full Bedrock support via Floodgate/Geyser
Bedrock players can create and use protected containers
Configurable username prefix for Bedrock players

⚙️ Admin Tools

Commands for server management:

/private_chests list
/private_chests list public
/private_chests list private
/private_chests list_in_area [radius]
/private_chests list_in_area [radius] public
/private_chests list_in_area [radius] private
/private_chests info <x> <y> <z>
/private_chests unlock <x> <y> <z>
/private_chests cleanup
Alias: /pchests

How to Use

Creating a Private Container

Place a chest or barrel
Attach a wall sign
Write:

[private] PlayerName1 Player2, Player3

Only you and the listed players can open it.

Creating a Public Container

Place a chest or barrel
Attach a wall sign
Write:

[public]

Anyone can open it, but only the sign owner or an admin can manage the protection.

Sign Format Rules

[private] and [public] must be on line 1 only
Marker is case-insensitive
Marker can be on the front or back
[private] allows usernames on the remaining lines
Owner automatically has access

Managing Protection

To edit access:

Edit the sign text
Only the owner or an admin can edit the active protection sign

To remove protection:

Remove the protection marker from the active sign
Or break your own protected chest/container directly

Dormant signs:

If a protected container already has an active protection sign, extra [private] or [public] signs do not take over automatically
They only become active later if the container is unprotected and the sign owner/admin reactivates them

Admin Commands

All commands require admin permission (configurable, default level 3).

`/private_chests list`

Shows protected containers across the server.

`/private_chests list public`

Shows only public protected containers.

`/private_chests list private`

Shows only private protected containers.

`/private_chests list_in_area [radius]`

Shows protected containers near your location.

`/private_chests info <x> <y> <z>`

Shows detailed information:

Container type and location
Owner name
Protection mode (private or public)
Allowed players
Creation timestamp
Last updated timestamp

`/private_chests unlock <x> <y> <z>`

Forcibly removes protection from a container.

`/private_chests cleanup`

Removes stale active lock records and dormant sign records in loaded chunks.

Configuration

Config file: config/private-chests.json

{
  "floodgatePrefix": ".",
  "adminPermissionLevel": 3,
  "maxLocksPerPlayer": 0,
  "listMaxEntries": 50,
  "listPreviewEntries": 20,
  "disableProtectionIfOwnerBanned": true
}

Option	Default	Description
floodgatePrefix	.	Prefix for Bedrock players (e.g., .BedrockPlayer)
adminPermissionLevel	3	Permission level to bypass locks (0-4)
maxLocksPerPlayer	0	Max protected containers per player; 0 = unlimited
listMaxEntries	50	Max locks in /list before abbreviating
listPreviewEntries	20	Number shown when abbreviated
disableProtectionIfOwnerBanned	true	Remove protection if owner is banned

Invalid values are automatically corrected on startup.

Known Issues

Due to Minecraft client-side prediction, some minor visual glitches may occur.

Sign Text Disappearing

When unauthorized players try to break a protected sign:

The sign remains intact on the server
Text may temporarily disappear on the client
Fix: left-click or right-click the sign to refresh it

Item "Disappearing" When Blocked

When trying to place blocks near protected containers:

The placement is correctly blocked by the server
The item may temporarily disappear from the hotbar
Fix: switch to that slot or move the item
The item is never actually lost

These are client-side visual issues only.

Technical Details

Server-side only
Persistent data stored in world/data/private-chests.dat
Packet-level protection for sign breaking
Efficient lookup and caching
Supports Minecraft 26.1.1

Installation

Server Installation

Download the mod JAR
Place it in your server's mods folder
Make sure Fabric API is also installed
Start the server
(Optional) adjust config/private-chests.json