SideGate

SideGate

Hybrid Access Control for Online-Mode Servers
Keep online-mode security while selectively allowing administrator-approved guest accounts.

What is SideGate?

SideGate is a Bukkit-compatible plugin (Spigot/Paper/Purpur) designed for servers that want to keep online-mode=true while selectively allowing administrator-approved guest accounts.

Authenticated players continue using the server's standard login flow, while approved guest accounts are handled through configurable SideGate access policies.

Why use SideGate?

• Keep standard online-mode behavior for authenticated players.
• Avoid changing the entire server authentication mode.
• Control exactly which guest accounts may join.
• Apply restrictions and visual labels to guest accounts.

Core Features

• Hybrid Login Flow: Authenticated players use the standard server login process, while approved guest accounts follow SideGate access rules.
• Manual Account Override: premium-usernames can always follow the standard login path.
• Guest Admission Policy: Use allow-all-guests or allowed-guests.
• Optional Account Detection: Optional account status lookup with internal cache (auto-detect-premium).
• Floodgate/Geyser Support: Automatically bypass guest classification for detected Bedrock players when either Bukkit plugin is installed.
• Guest Handling: Apply guest tags, GameModes, titles, subtitles, and messages.
• Guest Chat Prefix: Prefix applies to guest-tagged players only.
• Runtime Reload: /sidegate reload.
• Public API: Addon plugins can integrate through SideGate API services.

Installation

Required dependency: ProtocolLib (SpigotMC)
https://www.spigotmc.org/resources/protocollib.1997/

1. Install ProtocolLib (5.x+).
2. Optionally install Floodgate and/or Geyser-Spigot for automatic Bedrock detection.
3. Put the SideGate .jar file in your /plugins folder.
4. Set online-mode=true in server.properties.
5. Start or restart the server.

Configuration Example

# SideGate Configuration

enable-guest-mode: true
auto-detect-premium: true

allow-all-guests: false

premium-usernames:
  - "TamKungZ"

premium-session-failure:
  action: "KICK_WITH_MESSAGE" # or FALLBACK_TO_GUEST
  message: "&cThis username belongs to a Premium account.\n&eChange your username and try again."

allowed-guests:
  - "FriendName1"
  - "FriendName2"

guest-settings:
  default-gamemode: "SURVIVAL"
  chat-prefix: "&7[Guest] &r"

messages:
  join-title: "&cACCESS RESTRICTED"
  join-subtitle: "&7Guest Mode"
  join-message:
    - "&c=================================="
    - "&6 Welcome to SideGate Protocol"
    - "&7 Account Status: &cGuest (Non-License)"
    - "&7 You have restricted gameplay access."
    - "&c=================================="

Requirements

• Java: 17+
• Server: Spigot / Paper / Purpur (Bukkit-compatible)
• Dependency: ProtocolLib 5.x+ (SpigotMC) (GitHub)
• Optional integrations: Floodgate, Geyser-Spigot

Bug Reports

Submit issues at:

https://github.com/TamKungZ/SideGate/issues

Please include:

• Server software + exact version
• Java version
• ProtocolLib version
• SideGate version
• Relevant startup/login logs

Project Status & License

Closed Source

• Normal server usage is allowed.
• Separate addon plugins using the SideGate public API are allowed.
• Modification, redistribution, or repackaging is not allowed without permission.
• Commercial use or monetization requires prior permission via email: kittiwut.pimpromma@gmail.com

Public reference snapshot:

https://github.com/TamKungZ/SideGate (sidegate-1.0.0-rc.1)

Security Notice

Guest account access may introduce identity verification limitations. For trusted/private servers, additional authentication or permission management plugins are recommended.