Messages Customization

Journey allows full customization of all in-game messages through the messages.json file. Customize text, colors, and formatting for tasks, parties, global events, contracts, and more.

Overview

The messages system provides:

Full Customization - Change any message text
Color Support - MiniMessage formatting with colors
Placeholders - Dynamic values like player names, amounts, times
Localization Ready - Easy translation support
Server-Sync - Distributed to all clients automatically

Configuration File

Location: config/journey/messages.json (server-side)

The messages file is automatically synced to all clients when they connect.

File Structure

{
  "tasks": { /* Task-related messages */ },
  "party": { /* Party system messages */ },
  "globalTasks": { /* Global event messages */ },
  "bountyBoard": { /* Bounty board messages */ },
  "contracts": { /* Contract system messages */ },
  "levelables": { /* XP and leveling messages */ },
  "general": { /* Generic messages */ },
  "guiTitles": { /* GUI title messages */ }
}

Color Formatting

Journey uses MiniMessage formatting for colors and styles.

Basic Colors

<red>Red text
<green>Green text
<blue>Blue text
<yellow>Yellow text
<gold>Gold text
<gray>Gray text
<dark_gray>Dark gray text
<white>White text

Hex Colors

<#FF5555>Custom red
<#00FF00>Custom green
<color:#FF00FF>Custom magenta

Formatting Styles

<bold>Bold text
<italic>Italic text
<underlined>Underlined text
<strikethrough>Strikethrough text
<obfuscated>Obfuscated text

Combining Formats

<green><bold>Bold Green Text
<yellow><italic>Italic Yellow
<gold><underlined>Underlined Gold

Gradients

<gradient:red:blue>Rainbow text!
<gradient:#FF0000:#0000FF>Custom gradient

Placeholder System

Messages support dynamic placeholders that are replaced with actual values at runtime.

Common Placeholders

Placeholder	Description	Example
`{player}`	Player name	`Notch`
`{amount}`	Numeric amount	`42`, `$500`
`{time}`	Formatted time	`5m 30s`, `2h`
`{percentage}`	Percentage value	`75%`
`{count}`	Count/quantity	`3`

System-Specific Placeholders

Tasks

{task_name} - Task display name
{task_id} - Task identifier
{subtask_name} - Subtask display name
{objective_name} - Objective display name
{progress} - Current progress
{target} - Target amount
{max_tracked} - Max trackable tasks

Party

{party_name} - Party display name
{player} - Player name

Global Tasks

{task_name} - Global task name
{progress} - Total progress
{target} - Target amount
{percentage} - Completion percentage
{subtask_name} - Subtask name

Bounty Board

{board_name} - Bounty board name
{board_id} - Board identifier
{task_name} - Task name
{count} - Number of tasks
{time} - Time remaining

Contracts

{contract_name} - Contract name
{subtask_name} - Subtask name
{progress} - Current progress
{target} - Target amount
{item} - Item name
{amount} - Amount/money

Levelables

{levelable_name} - Levelable display name
{levelable_id} - Levelable identifier
{level} - Level number
{amount} - XP amount

General

{argument} - Command argument
{message} - Warning message
{item} - Item name

Task Messages

Configure all task-related messages.

{
  "tasks": {
    "trackSuccess": "<green>Now tracking: <yellow>{task_name}",
    "trackAlreadyTracked": "<yellow>This task is already being tracked",
    "trackMaxReached": "<red>You have reached the maximum number of tracked tasks ({max_tracked})",
    "trackNotActive": "<red>You don't have this task active",
    "untrackSuccess": "<yellow>No longer tracking: <gray>{task_name}",
    "taskStarted": "<green>Task started: <yellow>{task_name}",
    "taskCompleted": "<gold>✔ Task completed: <green>{task_name}",
    "taskFailed": "<red>✘ Task failed: <gray>{task_name}",
    "subtaskCompleted": "<gold>▸ Subtask completed: <green>{subtask_name}",
    "subtaskProgress": "<blue>▸ {subtask_name}: <yellow>{progress}/{target}",
    "objectiveCompleted": "<gray>[<green>✔<gray>] {objective_name}",
    "objectiveProgress": "<gray>[<yellow>{progress}/{target}<gray>] {objective_name}",
    "objectiveLocked": "<dark_gray>[<gray>✘<dark_gray>] {objective_name}",
    "taskNotFound": "<red>Task not found: {task_id}",
    "taskAlreadyActive": "<yellow>You already have this task active",
    "taskRequirementsNotMet": "<red>You don't meet the requirements for this task"
  }
}

Example Customizations

Minimal Style:

{
  "taskCompleted": "✓ {task_name}",
  "taskFailed": "✗ {task_name}",
  "subtaskProgress": "{subtask_name} ({progress}/{target})"
}

Verbose Style:

{
  "taskCompleted": "<gold><bold>QUEST COMPLETED!</bold> <yellow>{task_name}",
  "taskStarted": "<green>You have begun the quest: <yellow><italic>{task_name}",
  "subtaskCompleted": "<green>→ You completed: <yellow>{subtask_name}"
}

Emoji Style:

{
  "taskCompleted": "🎉 <gold>{task_name} <green>complete!",
  "taskFailed": "❌ <red>{task_name} failed",
  "subtaskProgress": "📊 {subtask_name}: {progress}/{target}"
}

Party Messages

Configure party system messages.

{
  "party": {
    "created": "<green>Party created: <yellow>{party_name}",
    "disbanded": "<red>Party disbanded",
    "joined": "<green>{player} joined the party",
    "left": "<yellow>{player} left the party",
    "youJoined": "<green>You joined <yellow>{party_name}",
    "youLeft": "<yellow>You left the party",
    "kicked": "<red>You were kicked from the party",
    "playerKicked": "<red>{player} was kicked from the party",
    "youNowLeader": "<gold>You are now the party leader",
    "leaderChanged": "<gold>{player} is now the party leader",
    "inviteSent": "<green>Party invitation sent to <yellow>{player}",
    "inviteReceived": "<yellow>{player} <green>invited you to join their party",
    "inviteAccepted": "<green>Invitation accepted",
    "inviteDeclined": "<red>Invitation declined",
    "inviteExpired": "<gray>Party invitation expired",
    "inviteAlreadyInParty": "<red>{player} is already in a party",
    "inviteNoPermission": "<red>Only the party leader can invite players",
    "settingsUpdated": "<yellow>Party settings updated",
    "visibilityPublic": "<green>Party is now public",
    "visibilityPrivate": "<yellow>Party is now private",
    "invitesEnabled": "<green>Members can now invite others",
    "invitesDisabled": "<yellow>Only the leader can invite players",
    "notInParty": "<red>You are not in a party",
    "alreadyInParty": "<red>You are already in a party",
    "partyFull": "<red>This party is full",
    "notLeader": "<red>Only the party leader can do this",
    "partyNotFound": "<red>Party not found",
    "cannotKickSelf": "<red>You cannot kick yourself from the party"
  }
}

Example Customizations

RPG Style:

{
  "created": "⚔️ <gold>Your fellowship has been formed: <yellow>{party_name}",
  "joined": "🛡️ <green>{player} <yellow>has joined your fellowship!",
  "youNowLeader": "👑 <gold>You are now the leader of this fellowship"
}

Modern Style:

{
  "inviteReceived": "📨 <yellow>{player} <green>wants you to join their squad",
  "youJoined": "✅ <green>You're now part of <yellow>{party_name}",
  "left": "👋 {player} left"
}

Global Task Messages

Configure global event messages.

{
  "globalTasks": {
    "started": "<gold>⚡ Global Event Started: <yellow>{task_name}",
    "completed": "<green>✔ Global Event Completed: <yellow>{task_name}",
    "failed": "<red>✘ Global Event Failed: <gray>{task_name}",
    "progress": "<blue>Global Progress: <yellow>{progress}/{target} <gray>({percentage}%)",
    "contributed": "<green>+{amount} contribution to <yellow>{task_name}",
    "subtaskCompleted": "<green>Subtask completed: <yellow>{subtask_name}",
    "rewardClaimed": "<gold>✔ Reward claimed for <yellow>{task_name}",
    "rewardAvailable": "<green>You have unclaimed rewards! Use <yellow>/journey rewards",
    "notParticipated": "<red>You did not participate in this event",
    "alreadyClaimed": "<yellow>You already claimed this reward",
    "noRewards": "<gray>No rewards available"
  }
}

Example Customizations

Server-Wide Announcements:

{
  "started": "<gold><bold>═══════════════════════════════</bold>\n<yellow>⚡ GLOBAL EVENT: {task_name}\n<gold><bold>═══════════════════════════════</bold>",
  "completed": "🎉 <gold><bold>EVENT COMPLETE!</bold> <green>Everyone contributed to: <yellow>{task_name}",
  "contributed": "✨ <green>+{amount} <gray>points added!"
}

Bounty Board Messages

Configure bounty board messages.

{
  "bountyBoard": {
    "rotationAnnouncement": "<gold>⚡ Bounty Board Rotated: <yellow>{board_name}",
    "newTasksAvailable": "<green>{count} new tasks available on <yellow>{board_name}",
    "taskAccepted": "<green>Task accepted: <yellow>{task_name}",
    "taskAlreadyAccepted": "<yellow>You already have this task",
    "taskOnCooldown": "<red>This task will be available again in {time}",
    "taskAvailableAgainAt": "<gray>Available again when board rotates in {time}",
    "boardEmpty": "<gray>No tasks available on this board",
    "boardOnCooldown": "<yellow>This board will refresh in {time}",
    "boardNotFound": "<red>Bounty board not found: {board_id}",
    "noPermission": "<red>You don't have permission to use this board"
  }
}

Contract Messages

Configure contract system messages.

{
  "contracts": {
    "started": "<green>Contract started: <yellow>{contract_name}",
    "accepted": "<green>Contract accepted: <yellow>{contract_name}",
    "completed": "<gold>✔ Contract completed: <green>{contract_name}",
    "failed": "<red>✘ Contract failed: <gray>{contract_name}",
    "expired": "<red>⏱ Contract expired: <gray>{contract_name}",
    "expiredCannotClaim": "<red>This contract has expired and cannot be claimed",
    "abandoned": "<yellow>Contract abandoned: <gray>{contract_name}",
    "alreadyAccepted": "<red>This contract has already been accepted",
    "cannotAcceptOwn": "<red>You cannot accept your own contract",
    "subtaskCompleted": "<blue>▸ {subtask_name} completed",
    "subtaskProgress": "<gray>▸ {subtask_name}: <yellow>{progress}/{target}",
    "rewardsClaimed": "<gold>✔ Rewards claimed!",
    "rewardsMoneyReceived": "<green>+{amount}",
    "rewardsItemReceived": "<green>+{count}x {item}",
    "rewardsExpReceived": "<green>+{amount} XP",
    "notComplete": "<red>This contract is not complete yet",
    "alreadyClaimed": "<yellow>Rewards already claimed",
    "inventoryFull": "<red>Your inventory is full",
    "claimFailed": "<red>Failed to claim rewards. Make sure you have inventory space.",
    "itemNotFound": "<red>Contract item not found in inventory",
    "noContract": "<red>You don't have a contract"
  }
}

Levelable Messages

Configure XP and leveling messages.

{
  "levelables": {
    "levelUp": "<gold>★ Level Up! <yellow>{levelable_name} <green>is now level {level}",
    "expGained": "<green>+{amount} {levelable_name} XP",
    "maxLevel": "<yellow>You have reached the maximum level for {levelable_name}",
    "levelableNotFound": "<red>Levelable not found: {levelable_id}",
    "cannotLevel": "<red>You cannot level up {levelable_name} yet"
  }
}

Example Customizations

Classic RPG:

{
  "levelUp": "🌟 <gold>LEVEL UP! <yellow>{levelable_name} <green>→ Level {level}",
  "expGained": "<green>+{amount} EXP <gray>({levelable_name})"
}

Modern Gaming:

{
  "levelUp": "⬆️ <gradient:green:gold>{levelable_name}</gradient> <white>reached <yellow>Lv.{level}",
  "expGained": "<green>+{amount} <gray>XP"
}

General Messages

Generic messages used across Journey.

{
  "general": {
    "success": "<green>✔ Success!",
    "saved": "<green>✔ Saved successfully",
    "deleted": "<yellow>✔ Deleted",
    "error": "<red>✘ An error occurred",
    "notFound": "<red>Not found",
    "noPermission": "<red>You don't have permission to do this",
    "invalidArgument": "<red>Invalid argument: {argument}",
    "playerNotFound": "<red>Player not found: {player}",
    "playerOffline": "<yellow>Player is offline: {player}",
    "warning": "<yellow>⚠ Warning: {message}",
    "cooldown": "<yellow>Please wait {time} before doing this again",
    "confirmAction": "<yellow>Are you sure? Type <gold>/confirm <yellow>to proceed",
    "actionCancelled": "<gray>Action cancelled",
    "actionConfirmed": "<green>Action confirmed",
    "loading": "<gray>Loading...",
    "pleaseWait": "<gray>Please wait...",
    "inventoryFull": "<red>Your inventory is full",
    "itemReceived": "<green>Received: {item}",
    "itemRemoved": "<yellow>Removed: {item}"
  }
}

GUI Titles

Titles for GUI windows.

{
  "guiTitles": {
    "contractView": "{contract_name}"
  }
}

Complete Examples

Minimal Style

Clean, no-nonsense messages:

{
  "tasks": {
    "taskCompleted": "✓ {task_name}",
    "taskFailed": "✗ {task_name}",
    "taskStarted": "→ {task_name}"
  },
  "party": {
    "joined": "{player} joined",
    "left": "{player} left",
    "youJoined": "Joined {party_name}"
  },
  "levelables": {
    "levelUp": "{levelable_name}: Lv.{level}",
    "expGained": "+{amount} XP"
  }
}

Verbose RPG Style

Immersive fantasy messages:

{
  "tasks": {
    "taskCompleted": "<gold><bold>⚔ QUEST COMPLETED ⚔</bold>\n<yellow>You have successfully finished: <green>{task_name}",
    "taskStarted": "<green>You have embarked upon a new quest:\n<yellow><italic>{task_name}",
    "subtaskCompleted": "<gold>→ <green>You completed a quest objective: <yellow>{subtask_name}"
  },
  "party": {
    "created": "⚔️ <gold>Your fellowship has been formed: <yellow>{party_name}",
    "joined": "🛡️ <green>{player} <yellow>joins your fellowship!",
    "youNowLeader": "👑 <gold>You now lead this band of adventurers"
  },
  "levelables": {
    "levelUp": "🌟 <gradient:yellow:gold>ASCENSION!</gradient>\n<yellow>{levelable_name} <white>has reached <gold>Level {level}",
    "expGained": "✨ <green>+{amount} <yellow>{levelable_name} <gray>experience"
  }
}

Modern Gaming Style

Contemporary game aesthetics:

{
  "tasks": {
    "taskCompleted": "🎯 <gradient:green:blue>COMPLETE</gradient> <white>» {task_name}",
    "taskFailed": "❌ <red>FAILED <dark_gray>» {task_name}",
    "subtaskProgress": "📊 {subtask_name} <gray>[<yellow>{progress}<dark_gray>/<white>{target}<gray>]"
  },
  "party": {
    "inviteReceived": "📨 <gradient:aqua:blue>{player}</gradient> <white>invited you to their squad",
    "youJoined": "✅ <green>Joined <gradient:yellow:gold>{party_name}</gradient>",
    "left": "👋 <gray>{player} disconnected"
  },
  "globalTasks": {
    "started": "⚡ <gradient:gold:yellow>LIVE EVENT</gradient>\n<white>» {task_name}",
    "contributed": "✨ <green>+{amount} <gray>contribution"
  }
}

Localization

The messages system is perfect for creating translated versions:

English (messages.json)

{
  "tasks": {
    "taskCompleted": "<gold>✔ Task completed: <green>{task_name}"
  }
}

Spanish (messages_es.json)

{
  "tasks": {
    "taskCompleted": "<gold>✔ Tarea completada: <green>{task_name}"
  }
}

Japanese (messages_ja.json)

{
  "tasks": {
    "taskCompleted": "<gold>✔ タスク完了: <green>{task_name}"
  }
}

Note: Server administrators would need to manually swap message files or implement a locale system.

Best Practices

Message Design

✅ Keep it concise - Players should understand messages at a glance

✅ Use consistent colors - Same colors for similar message types

Success: <green>
Errors: <red>
Warnings: <yellow>
Info: <gray> or <blue>

✅ Include context - Use placeholders to show relevant data

✅ Test readability - Ensure colors work with different backgrounds

Color Schemes

Success Messages:

"success": "<green>✔ Success!",
"completed": "<gold>✔ Completed: <green>{task_name}",
"saved": "<green>✔ Saved successfully"

Error Messages:

"error": "<red>✘ An error occurred",
"notFound": "<red>Not found",
"noPermission": "<red>You don't have permission to do this"

Warning Messages:

"warning": "<yellow>⚠ Warning: {message}",
"cooldown": "<yellow>Please wait {time} before doing this again",
"alreadyTracked": "<yellow>This task is already being tracked"

Info Messages:

"progress": "<blue>Progress: <yellow>{progress}/{target}",
"loading": "<gray>Loading...",
"pleaseWait": "<gray>Please wait..."

Placeholder Usage

✅ Always include placeholders when dynamic data is available

"taskCompleted": "<gold>✔ Task completed: <green>{task_name}"  // Good
"taskCompleted": "<gold>✔ Task completed!"                      // Missing context

✅ Format numbers consistently

"contributed": "<green>+{amount} contribution"
"expGained": "<green>+{amount} XP"
"rewardsMoneyReceived": "<green>+${amount}"

Reloading Messages

After editing messages.json, reload with:

/journey reload messages

Or restart the server to apply changes.

Task System - Task configuration
Party System - Party mechanics
Global Tasks - Global events
Bounty Boards - Bounty board system
Levelables - XP systems

Messages Customization

Messages Customization

Overview

Configuration File

File Structure

Color Formatting

Basic Colors

Hex Colors

Formatting Styles

Combining Formats

Gradients

Placeholder System

Common Placeholders

System-Specific Placeholders

Tasks

Party

Global Tasks

Bounty Board

Contracts

Levelables

General

Task Messages

Example Customizations

Party Messages

Example Customizations

Global Task Messages

Example Customizations

Bounty Board Messages

Contract Messages

Levelable Messages

Example Customizations

General Messages

GUI Titles

Complete Examples

Minimal Style

Verbose RPG Style

Modern Gaming Style

Localization

English (messages.json)

Spanish (messages_es.json)

Japanese (messages_ja.json)

Best Practices

Message Design

Color Schemes

Placeholder Usage

Reloading Messages

Related Documentation