Classic Protocol Extension

Classic Protocol Extension (CPE) is a project to augment the Minecraft Classic network protocol with new and improved functionality.

Extensions are designed to keep extended clients and servers compatible with standard clients and servers. Standard clients and extended clients can play on the same server side-by-side. Extensions are designed to be modular: custom clients and servers can selectively implement any subset of extensions, and only mutually-supported extensions will be used.

This specification has not yet been finalized, and is subject to change. Last revision: 19 December 2013. See the history subpage for a chronology of changes.

Support

See support subpage for a detailed table.

Custom servers that already support CPE: FemtoCraft, D3, LegendCraft

Custom servers that plan to add support: 800Craft, cloudBox, fCraft, GGS

Custom clients that already support CPE: ClassiCube Client

Custom clients that plan to add support: Charged Miners

Negotiation

When CPE-capable client connects to a CPE-capable server, a brief negotiation needs to happen before any extensions are used. Client and server declare their capabilities and determine which extensions are mutually supported. All CPE-capable software is required to support this.

Client behavior: Extended clients must use magic number of 0x42 (66 decimal) for the padding byte of the ClientIdentification packet. It must then await a response. If server responds with any packet other than ExtInfo, client must assume that the server does NOT support CPE. If the server responds with an ExtInfo packet, client must parse it and any ExtEntry packets that follow. Client must then compare its locally-supported set of extensions with the list of extensions provided by the server, and find an intersection of these sets. These are the mutually-supported extensions. Client must now send ExtInfo packet of its own, followed by a list of zero or more client-supported extensions. After sending the last of ExtEntry packets, client should activate all mutually-supported extensions and resume normal login procedure.

Server behavior: When a client connects, server must read the ClientIdentification packet and check its padding byte. If this byte is set to 0x42 (66 decimal), assume that the client supports CPE. If this byte is set to any other value, assume that the client does NOT support CPE.

Server must immediately reply to CPE clients with an ExtInfo packet, followed by zero or more ExtEntry packets, and await a response from the client. Client will respond with one ExtInfo and zero or more ExtEntry packets. Server must then compare its locally-supported set of extensions with the list of extensions provided by the client, and find an intersection of these sets. These are the mutually-supported extensions. After receiving the last of ExtEntry packets, server should activate all mutually-supported extensions and resume normal login procedure.

Note 1: All standard/non-extended clients use 0x00 for the padding byte. All standard servers ignore this padding byte. Therefore, this negotiation process does not affect compatibility with standard software.

Note 2: Do not make any assumptions about supported functionality based on the AppName field of ExtInfo packet. It's for logging purposes only.

Note 3: Do not declare support for an extension until it is FULLY implemented, except for debugging.

ExtInfo Packet

Packet ID	Field Name	Field Type	Example	Notes
0x10 (16)	AppName	string	MyServer	Client or server software name
	ExtensionCount	short	1	Between 0 and 32767
Total Size:	67 bytes

ExtEntry Packet

Packet ID	Field Name	Field Type	Example	Notes
0x11 (17)	ExtName	string	MyExtension	Name of a supported extension
	Version	int	1	Only extensions with identical version numbers should be considered compatible.
Total Size:	69 bytes

Extensions

Note: The section heading is the name of the extension. Packet names are not same as extension names. For example, the first extension listed here is named "ClickDistance" and not "SetClickDistance".

ClickDistance

Used to extend or restrict the distance at which client may click blocks, controlled by the server. Click range is given in player-space units (32 units per block). In Minecraft Classic, the default range is 160.

Motivation: This extension allows trusted players to have a wider or virtually-unlimited reach. It may simplify operation of certain bots. Restricting the reach may allow new games/mini-games.

Client Behavior: Upon receiving a SetClickDistance packet, client should immediately apply the change. Distance should persist between worlds/maps.

Server Behavior: Server should send SetClickDistance packet when the server connects, or whenever their permitted click distance changes. Server should allow for some margin-of-error (+/- 1 block) when enforcing click distance restrictions.

SetClickDistance packet

Server to Client

Packet ID	Field Name	Field Type	Example	Notes
0x12 (18)	Distance	short	160
Total Size:	3 bytes

CustomBlocks

Used to add support for custom block types. Custom block IDs start at 50 (0x32). New block types will be added in batches, a few at a time. Both client and server declare which batch they support, and use the lower of the two versions. Claiming to supporting a batch implies fully implementing all the batches that came before it. If either server or client do not support this extension, only the standard 50 block types should be used.

Motivation: Adding new visually distinct blocks, to enhance Classic players' experience.

Client behavior: Client must expect a CustomBlockSupportLevel packet from a compatible server immediately after sending the last ExtEntry packet. It should then reply with its own CustomBlockSupportLevel packet, containing its actual support level. Client must then use the lower of the two levels in operation. Client must not send any block types that are not defined by the current support level. Client should expect ServerIdentification packet only AFTER sending its CustomBlockSupportLevel packet.

Server behavior: Server must send a CustomBlockSupportLevel packet to compatible clients immediately after receiving the last ExtEntry packet from the client. It should then wait to receive a CustomBlockSupportLevel packet from the client before sending the ServerIdentification packet. Server must then use the lower of the two levels in operation. If this level is lower than the server's, it has to filter data sent to the client, to make sure that the client never receives any block types that it does not support. Each level will define what substitutions to use.

CustomBlockSupportLevel packet

Server to Client

Packet ID	Field Name	Field Type	Example	Notes
0x13 (19)	SupportLevel	byte	1
Total Size:	2

Blocks in support level 1

Client must be able to receive/render all 16 custom blocks to claim support. Server must be able to receive/store all 16 custom blocks to claim support.

Block name	Block ID	Fallback name	Fallback ID
CobblestoneSlab	0x32 (50)	Slab	0x2C (44)
Rope	0x33 (51)	BrownMushroom	0x27 (39)
Sandstone	0x34 (52)	Sand	0x0C (12)
Snow	0x35 (53)	Air	0x00 (0)
Fire	0x36 (54)	Lava	0x0A (10)
LightPinkWool	0x37 (55)	Pink	0x21 (33)
ForestGreenWool	0x38 (56)	Green	0x19 (25)
BrownWool	0x39 (57)	Dirt	0x03 (3)
DeepBlue	0x3A (58)	Blue	0x1d (29)
Turquoise	0x3B (59)	Cyan	0x1c (28)
Ice	0x3C (60)	Glass	0x14 (20)
CeramicTile	0x3D (61)	Iron	0x2a (42)
Magma	0x3E (62)	Obsidian	0x31 (49)
Pillar	0x3F (63)	White	0x24 (36)
Crate	0x40 (64)	WoodenPlanks	0x05 (5)
StoneBrick	0x41 (65)	Stone	0x01 (1)

Block IDs for future support levels are guaranteed to be assigned monotonically, incrementally, and permanently.

HeldBlock

Provides a way for the client to notify the server about the blocktype that it is currently holding, and for the server to change the currently-held block type.

Motivation: This allows server to know which block player is holding, for example for drawing commands, without needing to wait for the player's click. it also allows for features like /Spectate to show what block a spectated player is holding.

Client behavior: When this extension is mutually supported, client should use the PlayerID field of the PositionAndOrientation packet (currently unused) to indicate which blocktype the client is currently holding. It should be ready to accept HoldThis packets to change the block that the player is holding. If 0 is given for BlockToHold, client should hide the hand/block from the screen, and should not be able to click blocks, until they switch to a different blocktype. If an unrecognized blocktype is given, no action is needed.

Server behavior: The server can use HoldThis packet to force the client to hold the desired block type. It should be done sparingly.

HoldThis packet

Server to Client

Packet ID	Field Name	Field Type	Example	Notes
0x14 (20)	BlockToHold	byte	49	Standard block type
	PreventChange	byte	0	0 = Allow player to change blocktype 1 = Prevent player from changing blocktype
Total Size:	3 bytes

EmoteFix

This extension indicates that the client can render emotes (ASCII control characters) in chat properly, without padding or suffixes that are required for vanilla client. This extension does not define any new packets.

Motivation: To improve appearance of emotes in chat.

Client behavior: Client should not emulate vanilla client's quirks.

Server behavior: Server should not pad or suffix emotes in chat.

TextHotKey

This extension allows the server to define "hotkeys" for certain commands.

Motivation: To speed up and simplify access to commonly-used commands and command macros by providing server-defined client-side hotkeys.

Client behavior: Client should not try to persist previously-defined hotkeys between sessions. When a defined hotkey is activated by the user, client should open up a text prompt and type in contents of the Action field. A newline character (\n) in the Action field indicates that whatever is currently typed-in should be sent to the server. If Action does not end with a newline, text prompt should be left open, for the user to complete. Client may provide a way for the user to see a list of currently-defined hotkeys, and a way to notify the user when a hotkey was activated.

Server behavior: The server should send a definition of each hotkey (SetTextHotKey packet) once per connection.

SetTextHotKey packet

Server to Client

Packet ID	Field Name	Field Type	Example	Notes
0x15 (21)	Label	string	Copy	Readable name of the hotkey
	Action	string	/Copy	Text to type in
	KeyCode	int	113	LWJGL keycode of the key
	KeyMods	byte	0	Key modifier flags, may be combined: 0 = None 1 = Ctrl 2 = Shift 4 = Alt
Total Size:	134 bytes

ExtPlayerList

Motivation: Provides more flexibility in naming of players and loading of skins, autocompletion, and player tab-list display. Separates tracking of in-game entities (spawned player models) and names on the player list. ExtAddPlayerName/ExtRemovePlayerName packets take over managing the player names list (tab-list), and ExtAddEntity/DespawnPlayer packets are used only to manage in-game entities.

Client Behavior

When ExtAddPlayerName packet is received for an unrecognized NameID, a new entry must be added to the autocompletion list and tab-list. When receiving ExtAddPlayerName packet for an already-listed NameID, client must update its ListName, GroupName, and GroupRank. Name list must persist when client changes worlds/maps.

Names on the tab-list should be grouped by GroupName in the player tab-list. Names within a GroupName should be sorted by GroupRank (in ascending order). Names with the same GroupName and GroupRank should be sorted alphabetically by ListName.

When an ExtAddEntity packet is received, it must be treated as the SpawnPlayer packet. InGameName should be shown above the player's heads in-game. Skin should be loaded using the given SkinName for a player name. When client receives ExtAddEntity packet for an already-spawned player, a duplicate entity must not be spawned and existing entity's position should not be changed. Instead their InGameName and SkinName should be updated. If a negative ID is given for ExtAddEntity, client must update player's own spawn point, InGameName, and SkinName. The client must ignore regular SpawnPlayer packets, if any are received. Name list should not be affected by ExtAddEntity.

Color codes may be either drawn or stripped from ListName, GroupName, and InGameName.

When a standard DespawnPlayer packet is received for a recognized EntityID, player model should be removed from a world. Name list should not be affected by DespawnPlayer.

When ExtRemovePlayerName packet is received for a recognized NameID, they should be removed from autocompletion list and tab-list. When DespawnPlayer or ExtRemovePlayerName packet is received for a negative or unrecognized PlayerID, no action should be taken.

Server Behavior

When a new player connects to the server, ExtAddPlayerName must be sent. GroupName and GroupRank can be used in any way, for example to group players by map/world or rank/class/faction. Server must use ExtAddEntity in place of standard SpawnPlayer packet. Server should re-send ExtAddPlayerName packet, using the identical PlayerID, when player's ListName, GroupName, or GroupRank change. Server must reliably send an ExtRemovePlayerName when the player disconnects. Color codes are permitted in ListName, GroupName, and InGameName.

ExtAddPlayerName Packet

Server to Client

Packet ID	Field Name	Field Type	Example	Notes
0x16 (22)	NameID	short	5	Between 0 and 255
	PlayerName	string	Notch	Player name used for autocompletion. May be left empty (exclude from autocompletion).
	ListName	string	&c[Op]Notch	Name displayed in the in-game list.
	GroupName	string	Staff
	GroupRank	byte	0	Rank of a player within the group. A lower number means higher rank.
Total Size:	196 bytes

ExtAddEntity Packet

Server to Client

Packet ID	Field Name	Field Type	Example	Notes
0x17 (23)	EntityID	byte	5	Between 0 and 127
	InGameName	string	&cNotch	Player name to be shown in-game, hovering above player model.
	SkinName	string	Notch	Player name whose skin should be used by the client.
Total Size:	130 bytes

ExtRemovePlayerName Packet

Server to Client

Packet ID	Field Name	Field Type	Example	Notes
0x18 (24)	NameID	short	5	Between 0 and 255 Matches NameID of the ExtAddPlayerName packet
Total Size:	3 bytes

EnvColors

This extension allows server to alter some of the colors used by the client in environment rendering.

Motivation: To allow the server to give worlds/maps a unique feel: time-of-day, weather/climate, lighting effect, etc.

Client behavior: Client must check for EnvSetColor packets right before LevelFinalize packet, and apply these changes before the map is displayed. Client must be able to read this packet at other times, but it is not required to then apply the changes immediately. If an unrecognized or unsupported Variable field is given, no action is needed. If an out-of-range color is given by the server (i.e. if any of Red, Green, or Blue is less than 0 or greater than 255), then the specified Variable should be reset to its default value.

Server behavior: Server should normally only use EnvSetColor packets right before the LevelFinalize packet. To reset a variable to its default value, the server should send a packet with value -1 for Red, Green, and Blue.

EnvSetColor Packet

Server to Client

Packet ID	Field Name	Field Type	Example	Notes
0x19 (25)	Variable	byte	1	Enumeration of environmental variables 0 = sky color 1 = cloud color 2 = fog color 3 = ambient light (blocks in shadow) color 4 = diffuse light (sunlight) color
	Red	short	25	Between 0 and 255
	Green	short	128	Between 0 and 255
	Blue	short	0	Between 0 and 255
Total Size:	8 bytes

SelectionCuboid

Motivation: Allows the server to highlight parts of a world. Applications include zoning, previewing draw commands, previewing undo commands.

Coordinates: {StartX,StartY,StartZ} are coordinates of the block inside the selection that is closest to the map origin. {EndX,EndY,EndZ} are coordinates of the block inside the selection that is furthest from the map origin. Therefore, the resulting selection has dimensions {EndX-StartX+1, EndY-StartY+1, EndZ-StartZ+1).

Client behavior: Client should be ready to receive MakeSelection packets any time after LevelFinalize packet. Upon receiving the packet, a translucent cuboid should appear in the world. The cuboid may feature or plain or "grid" texture. Selections that extend outside the map may be either ignored or clipped to fit. Selections with inconsistent coordinates (e.g. where StartX<EndX) may either be ignored or re-ordered. Out-of-range values for Red, Green, Blue, and Opacity should be clipped to fit the valid range. Supporting Opacity is optional: the client may opt to provide fixed opacity instead. When map changes (i.e. when LevelInitialize packet is received), all existing selections should be removed. RemoveSelection packets that refer to non-existent SelectionIDs should be ignored.

Server behavior: All given coordinates must be contained within the map. End coordinates should be higher or equal than start coordinates.

MakeSelection packet

Server to Client

Packet ID	Field Name	Field Type	Example	Notes
0x20 (26)	SelectionID	byte	0	Numeric ID of the selection. Between 0 and 127.
	Label	string	SomeZone	Text label associated with the selection
	StartX	short	1	X coordinate of the starting point
	StartY	short	2	Y coordinate of the starting point
	StartZ	short	3	Z coordinate of the starting point
	EndX	short	5	X coordinate of the ending point
	EndY	short	6	Y coordinate of the ending point
	EndZ	short	7	Z coordinate of the ending point
	Red	short	255	Between 0 and 255.
	Green	short	34	Between 0 and 255.
	Blue	short	128	Between 0 and 255.
	Opacity	short	255	0 = fully transparent 255 = fully opaque
Total Size:	86 bytes

RemoveSelection packet

Server to Client

Packet ID	Field Name	Field Type	Example	Notes
0x21 (27)	SelectionID	byte	0
Total Size:	2 bytes

BlockPermissions

This extension allows the server to instruct the player that certain block types are allowed/disallowed to be placed or deleted.

Motivation: To prevent players from inadvertently placing or removing prohibited block types (e.g. water, lava, grass, admincrete), before it even reaches the server.

Client behavior: Client should prevent placement of prohibited block types (by graying out or hiding blocks in block-selection screen, or any other effective means). Client should prevent player from deleting prohibited block types. Client must be ready to receive SetBlockPermission packet after map load (LevelFinalize packet). Permission changes should take effect as soon as packet is received. Admincrete (solid block) permissions set by SetBlockPermission must always override permission set by ServerIdentification and UpdateUserType packets. If BlockType is set to 0, given permissions should affect ALL block types at once, overriding permissions set by any earlier packets. Permissions must persist between map changes. Client may optionally warn the player attempting to place/delete prohibited blocks via sound effect, visual effect, chat message, etc.

Server behavior: Server may send SetBlockPermission packets any time after map load (LevelFinalize packet). Any valid block ID may be specified for BlockType, including custom blocks (if CustomBlocks extension is mutually supported). BlockType may be set to 0 to set permissions for ALL block types at once. Server must not assume that client is compliant/obedient, and server must still verify each SetBlock packet coming from the client. What to do with non-complying clients (kick or warn) is up to you.

SetBlockPermission packet

Server to Client

Packet ID	Field Name	Field Type	Example	Notes
0x22 (28)	BlockType	byte	8	Block's numeric ID (anything between 1 and max defined block).
	AllowPlacement	byte	0	0 = Prohibited 1 = Allowed
	AllowDeletion	byte	0	0 = Prohibited 1 = Allowed
	Total Size:	4 bytes

ChangeModel

Allows changing appearance of player models in supporting clients.

Client behavior: The client will receive a EntityID and a string value containing the model name. The client will then change the model of the player whose ID is the same as the received AddEntity or ExtAddEntity packet. The model name will be parsed by the model manager and the model changed in game. If the model does not exists in the model manager or is 0-length, change the model back to humanoid. Alternatively, you can send the client an int converted to a string which represents a valid Block ID.

Server behavior: The server will send a EntityID and then a ModelName to the client for a desired player. The model name must exist in the client and not be 0-length or default (humanoid) will be used instead.

ChangeModel Packet

Packet ID	Field Name	Field Type	Example	Notes
0x1D (29)	EntityID	byte	5	Between 0 and 127
	ModelName	string	spider	The name of the model to be used OR a valid Block ID as a string.
Total Size:	66 bytes

Available models

Client can render any or none of the below, but it is down to the client to handle what can and cannot be rendered if the packet is recieved

Model Name	Model String
Chicken	chicken
Block Model	A valid block ID as a string
Creeper	creeper
Crocodile	croc
Humanoid	humanoid (or an invalid model name)
Pig	pig
Printer	printer
Sheep	sheep
Skeleton Archer	skeleton
Spider	spider
Zombie	zombie

EnvMapAppearance

This extension allows the server to specify custom terrain textures, and tweak appearance of map edges.

Motivation: To provide more ways to customize map appearance, including functionality that's currently provided by World of Minecraft's scheme.

Client behavior: Client must be able to receive EnvSetMapAppearance packets any time during level load (after the first LevelDataChunk packet is received and until the LevelFinalize packet is received). If the TextureURL field is blank or if the given file could not be loaded for any reason, then the texture pack should be reset to client's default. If an unsupported block ID is given for SideBlock or EdgeBlock, it should be ignored. Given SideLevel value should be adjusted to fit between 0 and MapDepth, if necessary.

Server behavior: Server may send EnvSetMapAppearance packets after the last LevelDataChunk packet is sent for a level. Server should not use any custom block IDs unless the client declared the appropriate CustomBlocks support level. To reset the texture pack to default value, server should send an EnvMapAppearance packet with empty string for TextureURL. To reset other fields, server should simply use the default values (listed below).

Block type restrictions: Only solid blocks are allowed to be used for SideBlock and EdgeBlock. Sprites (Sapling, Dandelion, Rose, BrownMushroom, RedMushroom, Rope, Fire) partial-height blocks (Slab, CobblestoneSlab, Snow), and transparent blocks (Air, Leaves, Glass) cannot be used for those fields.

EnvSetMapAppearance packet

Server to Client

Packet ID	Field Name	Field Type	Example	Notes
0x1E (30)	TextureURL	string	http://somesite.net/terrain.png	Skin's full URL. Must be an HTTP URL, ending with .png, and served with image/png mime type.
	SideBlock	byte	7	Block ID. Default value is 7 (Admincrete).
	EdgeBlock	byte	8	Block ID. Default value is 8 (Water).
	SideLevel	short	31	Elevation from bottom of the map, in blocks. Value should be between 0 and MapDepth. Default value is MapDepth/2.
Total Size:	69 bytes

EnvWeatherType

This extension allows the server to trigger special weather conditions (like rain and snow) on demand.

Motivation: To allow the server to give worlds/maps a unique feel with weather effects, e.g. for adventure maps.

Client behavior: Client must be able to receive EnvWeather packets at any time after the first LevelDataChunk packet is received, and apply these changes immediately. If an unrecognized or unsupported WeatherType field is given, no action is needed.

Server behavior: Server may send EnvSetColor packets to connected clients at any time after the first LevelDataChunk packet is sent.

EnvSetWeatherType Packet

Server to Client

Packet ID	Field Name	Field Type	Example	Notes
0x1F (31)	WeatherType	byte	1	Enumeration of weather types 0 = sunny 1 = raining 2 = snowing
	Total Size:	2 bytes

HackControl

This extension allows the server to control cheats/hacks in the client.

Motivation: To allow fine-grained control over cheats/hacks on multi-world servers.

Client behavior: Client must be able to receive HackControl packets at any time after the first LevelDataChunk packet is received, and apply these changes immediately. Unrecognized or unsupported values for any field should be ignored. Clients may approximate JumpHeight by rounding down to the nearest half-block (i.e. nearest multiple of 16), if needed. If a negative value is given for JumpHeight, client should reset jump height to its default setting (around 40 in vanilla Minecraft).

Server behavior: Server may send HackControl packets to connected clients at any time after the first LevelDataChunk packet is sent.

HackControl Packet

Server to Client

Packet ID	Field Name	Field Type	Example	Notes
0x20 (32)	Flying	byte	0	0 = Prevent player from flying 1 = Allow flying
	NoClip	byte	0	0 = Prevent player from no-clipping (passing through solid blocks) 1 = Allow no-clipping
	Speeding	byte	0	0 = Only allow normal walking speed. 1 = Allow moving at any speeds.
	SpawnControl	byte	1	0 = Prevent player from pressing [R] to respawn, or using [Enter] to change spawn. 1 = Allow player to respawn / change spawn.
	ThirdPersonView	byte	1	0 = Disallow third-person view (only first-person view allowed). 1 = Allow third-person view.
	JumpHeight	short	40	Maximum height, in terms of player movement units (1/32nds of a block), to which the player is allowed to jump. Negative value (e.g. -1) means that the client should use its default jump height.
Total Size:	8 bytes

MessageTypes

This extension adds new ways of presenting messages in the client.

Motivation: To enhance the display of announcements and status information, and to reduce chat clutter.

Client behavior: When this extension is mutually supported, the PlayerID field of the standard server-to-client Message packet should be treated as a MessageType code. Unrecognized or unsupported codes may be ignored (in which case the message should be presented as a regular chat message). When connected to non-supporting servers, this field should be ignored.

Server behavior: Server may use the PlayerID field of the Message packet to set a MessageType. For non-supporting clients, this field should always be set to 0.

MessageType	Meaning	Suggested Implementation
0	Chat	Normal message, shown in the chat area.
1	Status1	Shown persistently in the top-right corner of the screen, in regular font.
2	Status2	Shown persistently just below Status1
3	Status3	Shown persistently just below Status2
11	BottomRight1	Shown persistently in the bottom-right corner of the screen, in regular font.
12	BottomRight2	Shown persistently just above BottomRight1
13	BottomRight3	Shown persistently just above BottomRight2
21	TopLeft	Shown persistently in the top-left corner of the screen, in regular font.
100	Announcement	Pops up in larger font near the top-center of the screen. Fades out after a few seconds.

This extension does not define any new packets.

RedirectClient

This extension allows servers to redirect clients to another server, causing the client to connect to the new server instead. This extension is currently under proposal.

Motivation: To allow enterprise-level servers to balance the player count on its server clusters as necessary.