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

# Configuration & Formatting

> Mastering YAML configurations, MiniMessage, Hex gradients, and Small Caps typography across Sentry resources.

A major differentiator of world-class Minecraft servers is visual cohesion. All Sentry Studios resources utilize high-performance text parsing engines supporting legacy color codes, RGB hexadecimals, MiniMessage gradients, and Unicode Small Caps typography.

This guide provides the tools, syntax, and best practices needed to craft stunning in-game interfaces while avoiding common YAML parsing errors.

***

## YAML Architecture & Best Practices

All plugin configurations are written in strict YAML (`.yml`). A single misplaced space or tab character can prevent your server from loading a configuration file.

> **Always Use Spaces (Never Tabs)**
>
> YAML strictly forbids tab characters (`\t`). Configure your text editor (VS Code, Notepad++, Sublime) to insert 2 spaces when pressing the Tab key.

> **Quote Strings with Special Characters**
>
> Always wrap strings containing colons (`:`), ampersands (`&`), brackets (`[]`), or quotes in double or single quotes: `title: "&#3B82F6Sentry Studios"`

> [!TIP]
>
> If your console logs show a `ScannerException` or `ParserException`, paste your file into [YAML Checker](https://yamlchecker.com/) to highlight the exact line and column containing the formatting error.

***

## Color Systems

Sentry Studios supports three tiers of text colorization:

**Sentry Blue (Primary)** \`\`

**Emerald (Success)** \`\`

**Crimson (Error)** \`\`

**Amber (Warning)** \`\`

**1. Modern Hex Colors (Recommended)**

Precision branding using 6-character hexadecimals prefixed with `&#`:

```yaml messages.yml theme={null}
prefix: "&#3B82F6&lSENTRY &#64748B» &7"
success: "&#10B985Settings updated successfully!"
error: "&#EF4444Failed to connect to database."
```

**2. MiniMessage Gradients**

Smooth color transitions across text using Adventure MiniMessage tags:

```yaml theme={null}
# Two-point gradient
title: "<gradient:#3B82F6:#60A5FA>SentryStudios</gradient>"

# Multi-point gradient with styling
announcement: "<gradient:#F59E0B:#EF4444><b>SERVER RESTART</b></gradient>"
```

**3. Legacy Formatting Codes**

Standard Minecraft legacy color codes using the `&` section indicator:

```yaml theme={null}
legacy_format: "&a&lONLINE &7(&f%online%&7/&f%max%&7)"
```

| Code | Color Name | Hex Code |
| :- | :- | :- |
| `&0` - `&8` | Black to Dark Gray | `#000000` to `#555555` |
| `&9` - `&f` | Blue to White | `#5555FF` to `#FFFFFF` |
| `&l`, `&o`, `&n` | Bold, Italic, Underline | Text Modifiers |
| `&r` | Color / Style Reset | Clears active modifiers |

***

## Typography: Small Caps Engine

Small Caps (`sᴍᴀʟʟ ᴄᴀᴘs`) is an aesthetic staple in premium server interfaces. Because Minecraft does not have a native font switch for small capitals, Sentry resources replace lowercase Latin letters with specialized Unicode glyphs.

### Small Caps Glyph Mapping Table

| Character | Small Cap Glyph | Character | Small Cap Glyph | Character | Small Cap Glyph |
| :-: | :-: | :-: | :-: | :-: | :-: |
| **A** | `ᴀ` | **J** | `ᴊ` | **S** | `s` |
| **B** | `ʙ` | **K** | `ᴋ` | **T** | `ᴛ` |
| **C** | `ᴄ` | **L** | `ʟ` | **U** | `ᴜ` |
| **D** | `ᴅ` | **M** | `ᴍ` | **V** | `ᴠ` |
| **E** | `ᴇ` | **N** | `ɴ` | **W** | `ᴡ` |
| **F** | `ғ` | **O** | `ᴏ` | **X** | `x` |
| **G** | `ɢ` | **P** | `ᴘ` | **Y** | `ʏ` |
| **H** | `ʜ` | **Q** | `ǫ` | **Z** | `ᴢ` |
| **I** | `ɪ` | **R** | `ʀ` | - | - |

> [!WARNING]
>
> **JVM Encoding Requirement:** If Unicode Small Caps appear as question marks (`???`) or broken rectangles in your server console or in-game, your Java runtime is running in ANSI/ASCII mode. Add the following flag to your server startup command:
>
> ```bash theme={null}
> java -Dfile.encoding=UTF-8 -jar paper.jar --nogui
> ```

***

## Dynamic Data: PlaceholderAPI

All Sentry GUI menus, chat messages, and discord embeds dynamically hook into [PlaceholderAPI](https://github.com/PlaceholderAPI/PlaceholderAPI) (PAPI).

```yaml theme={null}
lore:
  - "&8» &7Player: &#3B82F6%player_name%"
  - "&8» &7Balance: &#10B985$%vault_eco_balance_formatted%"
  - "&8» &7Ping: &#64748B%player_ping%ms"
```

> [!TIP]
>
> If a placeholder renders literally on your screen (e.g. prints `%vault_eco_balance%` instead of `$500`), run `/papi ecloud download Vault` followed by `/papi reload` to install the required expansion.


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