**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
\nsign and your container is protected.<\/p>\n
## What Does This Mod Do?<\/p>\n
Private Chests is a **server-side** Fabric mod that lets players protect chests and barrels from other players.<\/p>\n
Attach a wall sign to a chest or barrel and write:<\/p>\n
– `[private]` to make it owner-only, with optional shared access
\n – `[public]` to let everyone open it while still keeping it protected from griefing<\/p>\n
The mod handles protection automatically – blocking unauthorized access, preventing chest expansion exploits, stopping hopper theft, and protecting containers from explosions and
\nfire.<\/p>\n
**Server-side only** – no client mod required. Players can join with vanilla clients.<\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
## Features<\/p>\n
### \ud83d\udd12 Simple Sign-Based Protection
\n – Place a wall sign on any chest or barrel
\n – Write `[private]` or `[public]` on line 1
\n – `[private]` supports additional player names on the remaining lines
\n – Supports comma-separated names: `Player1, Player2`
\n – Use both sides of the sign<\/p>\n
### \ud83d\udee1\ufe0f Comprehensive Security
\n – **Private containers** – only the owner and listed players can open them
\n – **Public containers** – anyone can open them, but they stay protected
\n – **Prevents chest expansion exploits** – non-owners can’t place chests next to protected containers
\n – **Stops hopper theft** – hoppers can’t move items in or out of protected containers
\n – **Explosion protection** – TNT and creepers won’t destroy protected containers
\n – **Fire protection** – fire can’t spread to protected containers
\n – **Sign protection** – only the owner or admin can edit or break protection signs<\/p>\n
### \ud83c\udfae Player-Friendly Features
\n – **Double chest support** – automatically handles double chests
\n – **Owner expansion** – owners can extend their single chest to double
\n – **Easy removal** – break your own protected chest\/container directly (auto-removes protection)
\n – **No player commands needed** – players just use signs<\/p>\n
### \ud83c\udf0d Cross-Platform Compatible
\n – **Full Bedrock support** via Floodgate\/Geyser
\n – Bedrock players can create and use protected containers
\n – Configurable username prefix for Bedrock players<\/p>\n
### \u2699\ufe0f Admin Tools —<\/p>\n ## How to Use<\/p>\n ### Creating a Private Container<\/p>\n 1. Place a chest or barrel [private] PlayerName1 Player2, Player3<\/p>\n Only you and the listed players can open it.<\/p>\n ### Creating a Public Container<\/p>\n 1. Place a chest or barrel [public]<\/p>\n Anyone can open it, but only the sign owner or an admin can manage the protection.<\/p>\n ### Sign Format Rules<\/p>\n – `[private]` and `[public]` must be on **line 1 only** ### Managing Protection<\/p>\n **To edit access:** **To remove protection:** **Dormant signs:** —<\/p>\n ## Admin Commands<\/p>\n All commands require admin permission (configurable, default level 3).<\/p>\n ### `\/private_chests list` ### `\/private_chests list public` ### `\/private_chests list private` ### `\/private_chests list_in_area [radius]` ### `\/private_chests info ### `\/private_chests unlock ### `\/private_chests cleanup` —<\/p>\n ## Configuration<\/p>\n Config file: `config\/private-chests.json`<\/p>\n “`json | Option | Default | Description | Invalid values are automatically corrected on startup.<\/p>\n —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————<\/p>\n ## Known Issues<\/p>\n Due to Minecraft client-side prediction, some minor visual glitches may occur.<\/p>\n Sign Text Disappearing<\/p>\n When unauthorized players try to break a protected sign:<\/p>\n – The sign remains intact on the server Item “Disappearing” When Blocked<\/p>\n When trying to place blocks near protected containers:<\/p>\n – The placement is correctly blocked by the server These are client-side visual issues only.<\/p>\n —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————<\/p>\n ## Technical Details<\/p>\n – Server-side only —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————<\/p>\n ## Installation<\/p>\n Server Installation<\/p>\n 1. Download the mod JAR Protect chests and barrels with wall signs! Add [private] to lock containers, list player names to share access. Blocks hoppers, explosions, and unauthorized opening. Server-side only.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":125156,"template":"","meta":{"_minecraft_slug":"private-chests","_minecraft_project_id":"UjFvYPA8","_minecraft_author":"Eloquence2781","_minecraft_license":"LGPL-3.0-or-later","_minecraft_downloads":859,"_minecraft_follows":4,"_minecraft_client_side":"unsupported","_minecraft_server_side":"required","_minecraft_storage_type":"zip","_minecraft_archive_name":"private-chests.zip","_minecraft_size_bytes":263959,"_minecraft_version_count":4,"_minecraft_updated_at":"2026-05-15T19:24:51.924533Z","_minecraft_date_created":"2026-01-10T17:13:15.663545Z","_minecraft_date_modified":"2026-04-04T07:42:14.409491Z","_minecraft_project_url":"https:\/\/modrinth.com\/mod\/private-chests","_minecraft_icon_attachment_id":125156,"_minecraft_imported_at":"2026-06-07T08:28:47+00:00","_minecraft_import_hash":"24acde57221331332a46254cc4ed66c0","_minecraft_versions":"","_minecraft_links":"","_minecraft_gallery":"","_minecraft_api_metadata":""},"mod_category":[97,89,91,92],"mod_loader":[99],"minecraft_version":[41,83,167,163],"class_list":["post-125155","mod","type-mod","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","mod_category-fabric","mod_category-game-mechanics","mod_category-storage","mod_category-utility","mod_loader-fabric","minecraft_version-1-21-11","minecraft_version-26-1","minecraft_version-26-1-1","minecraft_version-26-1-2"],"yoast_head":"\n
\n Commands for server management:
\n – `\/private_chests list`
\n – `\/private_chests list public`
\n – `\/private_chests list private`
\n – `\/private_chests list_in_area [radius]`
\n – `\/private_chests list_in_area [radius] public`
\n – `\/private_chests list_in_area [radius] private`
\n – `\/private_chests info
\n – `\/private_chests unlock
\n – `\/private_chests cleanup`
\n – Alias: `\/pchests`<\/p>\n
\n 2. Attach a wall sign
\n 3. Write:<\/p>\n
\n 2. Attach a wall sign
\n 3. Write:<\/p>\n
\n – Marker is **case-insensitive**
\n – Marker can be on the **front or back**
\n – `[private]` allows usernames on the remaining lines
\n – Owner automatically has access<\/p>\n
\n – Edit the sign text
\n – Only the owner or an admin can edit the active protection sign<\/p>\n
\n – Remove the protection marker from the active sign
\n – Or break your own protected chest\/container directly<\/p>\n
\n – If a protected container already has an active protection sign, extra `[private]` or `[public]` signs do not take over automatically
\n – They only become active later if the container is unprotected and the sign owner\/admin reactivates them<\/p>\n
\n Shows protected containers across the server.<\/p>\n
\n Shows only public protected containers.<\/p>\n
\n Shows only private protected containers.<\/p>\n
\n Shows protected containers near your location.<\/p>\n
\n Shows detailed information:
\n – Container type and location
\n – Owner name
\n – Protection mode (`private` or `public`)
\n – Allowed players
\n – Creation timestamp
\n – Last updated timestamp<\/p>\n
\n Forcibly removes protection from a container.<\/p>\n
\n Removes stale active lock records and dormant sign records in loaded chunks.<\/p>\n
\n {
\n “floodgatePrefix”: “.”,
\n “adminPermissionLevel”: 3,
\n “maxLocksPerPlayer”: 0,
\n “listMaxEntries”: 50,
\n “listPreviewEntries”: 20,
\n “disableProtectionIfOwnerBanned”: true
\n }
\n “`<\/p>\n
\n |——————————–|———|—————————————————|
\n | floodgatePrefix | . | Prefix for Bedrock players (e.g., .BedrockPlayer) |
\n | adminPermissionLevel | 3 | Permission level to bypass locks (0-4) |
\n | maxLocksPerPlayer | 0 | Max protected containers per player; 0 = unlimited |
\n | listMaxEntries | 50 | Max locks in \/list before abbreviating |
\n | listPreviewEntries | 20 | Number shown when abbreviated |
\n | disableProtectionIfOwnerBanned | true | Remove protection if owner is banned <\/p>\n
\n – Text may temporarily disappear on the client
\n – Fix: left-click or right-click the sign to refresh it<\/p>\n
\n – The item may temporarily disappear from the hotbar
\n – Fix: switch to that slot or move the item
\n – The item is never actually lost<\/p>\n
\n – Persistent data stored in world\/data\/private-chests.dat
\n – Packet-level protection for sign breaking
\n – Efficient lookup and caching
\n – Supports Minecraft 26.1.1<\/p>\n
\n 2. Place it in your server’s mods folder
\n 3. Make sure Fabric API is also installed
\n 4. Start the server
\n 5. (Optional) adjust config\/private-chests.json<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"