> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mbcz.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# FirstHour

> A guided first hour for every new player, and the retention numbers behind it.

Most new players quit in their first hour. **FirstHour** keeps them, and shows you the numbers.

A new player joins and gets a welcome screen with one **Start** button. Their first goal goes on the bossbar with a live counter and a countdown to the next reward. Every goal pays. Timed rewards drip in while they play. When they finish, they see what tomorrow pays. Then you open `/firsthour stats` and see how many came back and, on PRO, the goal where the rest gave up.

![Goal 1 title and bossbar with a reward countdown](https://mintcdn.com/mbcz/QkWCVhRsXYrGqZUc/images/firsthour/goal-bossbar.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=QkWCVhRsXYrGqZUc\&q=85\&s=8a3eee4418b1d1b40582002ad4b12214)

## Get FirstHour

> [card] [FirstHour PRO](https://builtbybit.com/resources/firsthour-new-player-retention.134624/)
>
> Unlimited paths and steps, veterans say hi, days 2 to 7, the full dashboard, CSV export and placeholders.

> [card] [FirstHour Lite (Modrinth)](https://modrinth.com/plugin/firsthour-lite)
>
> Free. One path of up to 6 steps, timed rewards, a Day 2 reward and the Day-1 return rate.

> [card] [FirstHour Lite (SpigotMC)](https://www.spigotmc.org/resources/140147/)
>
> The same free Lite jar on SpigotMC.

> [card] [Discord](https://discord.gg/kgHNjJsB2t)
>
> Support, and your PRO licence key: run `/verify`, then `/claim FIRST_HOUR`.

## What it does

* **Welcome screen.** One Start button on the first join. A native dialog on 26.1, a title and a clickable chat line on 1.21.4.
* **One clear goal.** The bossbar shows the current goal, live progress and the time to the next reward.
* **A trail that points the way.** `go_to` goals get a particle line and a compass target.
* **A path for your server.** Write goals in `paths.yml` or load a preset: Survival, or Economy SMP and Lifesteal on PRO.
* **Rewards that keep them playing.** A reward per step, plus timed rewards at 5, 15, 30 and 60 minutes of playtime by default.
* **A reason to come back.** Come-back rewards with a login streak: day 2 on Lite, days 2 to 7 on PRO.
* **Veterans say hi** (PRO). Your regulars get a clickable "say hi" line, and the first to greet a newbie gets paid.
* **The retention dashboard.** New players and Day-1 return on every edition. PRO adds Day-7 return, first-session length, and a step funnel with the goal most players quit on in red.

## Compatibility

* **Server software:** Paper `1.21.4` and `26.1.2`. Spigot and Folia are not supported.
* **Java:** 21 or newer. Paper 26.1 servers need Java 25.
* **Dependencies:** none required. FirstHour runs on a plain Paper server.
* **Optional:** Vault plus an economy plugin (money rewards and `earn` goals), PlaceholderAPI (PRO), Stonkz or Stonkz Lite (PRO), WorldEvents PRO (PRO), Relics SMP (PRO).
* **Storage:** one local SQLite file, `players.db`. No database setup.

## Lite vs PRO at a glance

| Feature | Lite (free) | PRO |
| :- | :-: | :-: |
| Welcome screen, bossbar goal, trail | ✅ | ✅ |
| Paths | 1 | Unlimited, per permission |
| Steps per path | Up to 6 | Unlimited |
| Presets | Survival | Survival, Economy SMP, Lifesteal |
| Stonkz, WorldEvents PRO and Relics SMP steps | ❌ | ✅ |
| Step rewards and timed rewards | ✅ | ✅ |
| Come-back rewards | Day 2 | Days 2 to 7 |
| Veterans say hi | ❌ | ✅ |
| Dashboard | New players, Day-1 return | Adds Day-7, first session, step funnel |
| CSV export and cohorts | ❌ | ✅ |
| PlaceholderAPI | ❌ | ✅ |

See [Lite vs PRO](https://mbcz.mintlify.site/firsthour/lite-vs-pro.md) for the details.

## Quick commands

```text theme={null}
/firsthour
/firsthour preset survival
/firsthour stats
/firsthour reload
```

## Documentation sections

> [card] [Installation](https://mbcz.mintlify.site/firsthour/installation.md)
>
> Drop the jar, add your PRO key, pick a preset.

> [card] [Lite vs PRO](https://mbcz.mintlify.site/firsthour/lite-vs-pro.md)
>
> What the free jar does and what PRO adds.

> [card] [Welcome and goals](https://mbcz.mintlify.site/firsthour/welcome-and-goals.md)
>
> The first join, the bossbar, the trail and skipping.

> [card] [Paths and step types](https://mbcz.mintlify.site/firsthour/paths.md)
>
> `paths.yml`, the 13 step types and the three presets.

> [card] [Rewards](https://mbcz.mintlify.site/firsthour/rewards.md)
>
> Step rewards, timed rewards and come-back days.

> [card] [Veterans say hi](https://mbcz.mintlify.site/firsthour/veterans.md)
>
> Buddy pings and greeting rewards (PRO).

> [card] [Retention dashboard](https://mbcz.mintlify.site/firsthour/dashboard.md)
>
> `/firsthour stats`, the step funnel, cohorts and CSV export.

> [card] [Commands](https://mbcz.mintlify.site/firsthour/commands.md)
>
> Every `/firsthour` subcommand.

> [card] [Permissions](https://mbcz.mintlify.site/firsthour/permissions.md)
>
> Four nodes and what they unlock.

> [card] [Configuration](https://mbcz.mintlify.site/firsthour/configuration.md)
>
> Every `config.yml` key and its default.

> [card] [Placeholders](https://mbcz.mintlify.site/firsthour/placeholders.md)
>
> `%firsthour_...%` for scoreboards, tab and holograms (PRO).

> [card] [FAQ](https://mbcz.mintlify.site/firsthour/faq.md)
>
> Live servers, Vault, networks, resets and the licence.


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