Chat in Minecraft is a vital tool for player interaction, enabling communication, command execution, and server notifications. Players leverage chat to coordinate strategies, trade resources, engage in role-playing, and manage gameplay. Servers utilize it to broadcast system messages, alert players to events, distribute rewards, and update them on the latest developments.

Table of Contents

• How to open the chat and use commands
• Communication on the server
• Frequently asked questions and errors
• Text formatting
• System messages
• Useful commands
• Chat settings
• Differences between Java and Bedrock Edition
• Chat on custom servers

How to open the chat and use commands

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To access the chat, simply press the 'T' key. A text box will appear where you can type messages and hit 'Enter' to send them. Start your input with a "/" to execute a command. Here are a few essential commands:

• "/tp" — teleport to another player;
• "/spawn" — teleport to the spawn point;
• "/home" — return to your set home;
• "/help" — see a list of available commands.

In single-player mode, commands are only functional if cheats are activated. On servers, command usage depends on the player's permissions.

Also read: Take charge of Minecraft: a deep dive into commands

Communication on the server

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Server communication varies, with the primary method being the general chat visible to all. For private conversations, use the "/msg" command to send messages to a specific player. Some servers offer group or team chats through plugins, accessible via commands like "/partychat" or "/teammsg". Additionally, servers may have global and local chats; the former visible to everyone, the latter only to players within a certain radius.

Players have different roles on servers. Regular players can chat and use basic commands, while moderators and administrators have enhanced privileges, including the ability to mute or ban players. Muting prevents message sending, while banning blocks server access.

Frequently asked questions and errors

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• "Chat won’t open" — try adjusting the key in the control settings;
• "I can't write in chat" — you may be muted, or chat might be disabled in your game settings;
• "Commands aren’t working" — verify you have the necessary permissions on the server;
• "How to hide the chat?" — disable it in the settings or use the "/togglechat" command.

Text formatting

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Servers supporting text formatting enable the following:

• "&l" — bold text;
• "&o" — italic;
• "&n" — underlined;
• "&m" — strikethrough;
• "&r" — reset formatting.

System messages

Chat displays various system messages including player join and leave notifications, achievement alerts like "Player has obtained a diamond pickaxe", server announcements, updates, events, and command errors like "You do not have permission". Additionally, executed commands and game status notifications are shown. Administrators and moderators utilize the chat to inform players about important changes or server rules.

Useful commands

• "/ignore" — ignore messages from a specific player;
• "/unignore" — remove a player from your ignore list;
• "/chatslow" — limit the frequency of message sending;
• "/chatlock" — temporarily disable the chat.

Chat settings

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In the "Chat and Commands" menu, you can toggle the chat on or off, adjust font size and background transparency, and configure the profanity filter (in Bedrock Edition). You can also customize command message displays and alter text colors. Some versions allow filtering chats by message type, enhancing the player experience.

Differences between Java and Bedrock Edition

In Bedrock Edition, commands like "/tellraw" differ slightly. Newer Java Edition versions include message filtering and the requirement to confirm sending messages.

Chat on custom servers

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Custom servers often feature auto-announcements to remind players of rules and events, and message filters to block spam, advertisements, profanity, and insults. Large servers may have additional chat channels such as trade, clan, or faction chats.

Minecraft's chat system is not just a tool for communication but also a means to enhance gameplay management. It's highly customizable, offering numerous commands and features. Understanding its basics enables effective interaction and maximizes the use of its capabilities.