GuestViewer transforms how non-whitelisted players experience your server by allowing them to join as spectators instead of being completely blocked. Give potential members a preview of your server while maintaining security and preventing griefing!
Description
GuestViewer is a lightweight yet powerful plugin that automatically places non-whitelisted players into spectator mode when they join your server. Unlike traditional whitelisting that completely blocks access, GuestViewer allows guests to observe your server without the ability to interact with it. Perfect for public servers that want to showcase their builds while protecting against griefers, or for private servers where friends can preview before being added to the whitelist.
Features

• Permission-Based Spectator System: Players without the bypass permission are automatically set to spectator mode

• Automatic Survival Mode: Whitelisted players are placed in survival mode on join

• Movement Restrictions: Spectators can only move within 100 blocks of players they're spectating

• Free-Roam Option: Configurable permission to allow spectators to roam near world spawn

• Customizable Messages: Fully configurable welcome and broadcast messages

• Easy Administration: Simple permission system with no complex commands to learn
• Chat restriction for spectators unless they have permission
  

How It Works
When a player joins without the guestviewer.bypass permission:

1. They are automatically set to spectator mode

1. They receive a configurable welcome message

1. A configurable server-wide announcement is made

1. They can spectate other players but cannot move more than 100 blocks away from them

1. If they have the free-roam permission, they can move around spawn area

Permissions

• guestviewer.bypass - Players with this permission play normally (default: op)

• guestviewer.freeroam - Allows spectators to freely roam within the set distance of spawn (default: false)

• guestviewer.admin - Access to admin commands like reload (default: op)
• guestviewer.chat - Allows spectators to use the chat (default: false)
  

Commands

• /guestviewer or /gview - Shows plugin information

• /guestviewer reload - Reloads the configuration file

Configuration
Fully customizable config.yml allows you to set:

• Maximum distance spectators can move

• Custom join/leave messages for both players and spectators

• Server-wide broadcast options for joins and leaves

Installation

1. Download the plugin JAR file

1. Place it in your server's plugins folder

1. Start or restart your server

1. Edit the configuration if desired

Compatibility

• Works with all major permission plugins

• Tested on Minecraft 1.21.x

• Compatible with Paper/Spigot servers