The Explorer's Friend

Summary

The Explorer's Friend is a free, MIT-licensed server-side Minecraft map mod or plugin. It renders explored areas as a live topographic map and serves the map through an embedded web server. Players can open it in a browser using a vanilla Minecraft client, without installing a client mod. The project supports Fabric, Quilt, NeoForge, Spigot and Paper, with different artifacts depending on platform and Minecraft version. Toggleable map layers cover claims, player positions, markers and Waystones. Player positions can be disabled or rounded; invisible players and spectators are hidden by default. The embedded web server binds to 127.0.0.1 by default and has no built-in account system, so the project recommends a reverse proxy for public maps. It supports live updates and dimension maps. The project says live access uses budgeted chunk snapshots, while full renders read region files on worker threads without loading chunks. Forge is not shipped, and sub-path reverse proxying is not supported.

Who it is for

This tool suits Minecraft server operators who want players to view a live world map in a browser without a client mod. It may also suit operators who need toggleable map layers or claim overlays.

Compared on Minecraft world map viewers

Free plan

Yesgithub.com

Facts

Purpose

The Explorer's Friend is a server-side Minecraft world mapper that renders a live topographic map and serves it through an embedded web server.github.com · 2 Oct 2026

Server platforms

It supports Fabric, Quilt, NeoForge, Spigot and Paper, with different artifacts depending on platform and Minecraft version.github.com · 2 Oct 2026

Vanilla clients

Players can view the map in a browser using vanilla Minecraft clients without installing a client mod.github.com · 2 Oct 2026

Map features

The map includes separately toggleable overlays for claims, player positions, markers and Waystones.github.com · 2 Oct 2026

Claim integrations

Claim overlays can integrate with FTB Chunks, Open Parties and Claims, Common Protection API providers and GriefPrevention on Spigot or Paper, with JSON import available as an alternative.github.com · 2 Oct 2026

Player privacy

Player positions can be disabled or rounded, invisible players and spectators are hidden by default, and the documented player payload excludes health, inventory, chat and IP data.github.com · 2 Oct 2026

Network security

The embedded web server binds to 127.0.0.1 by default, limits request methods and connections, and has no built-in account system; the project recommends a reverse proxy for public maps.github.com · 2 Oct 2026

Outbound data

The project says its only optional outbound connection is a one-time download of the official vanilla client JAR, verified by SHA-1, and that it does not upload data.github.com · 2 Oct 2026

Mod developer API

An experimental API lets other mods provide block colors, hide players, listen for scan or tile-render events, and read documented HTTP endpoints.github.com · 2 Oct 2026

Performance

The project says live world access uses budgeted chunk snapshots and full renders read region files on worker threads without loading chunks.github.com · 2 Oct 2026

Notable limitation

Forge is not shipped, and the documentation says Paper/Bukkit 26.x uses default biome tints because Minecraft 26.x removed world-generation JSONs from the server and client JARs.github.com · 2 Oct 2026

License and support

The repository is MIT-licensed and says issues are processed every Wednesday.github.com · 2 Oct 2026

What it does

It renders a live topographic map of a Minecraft world and serves it as a web page from an embedded HTTP server.github.com · 3 Oct 2026

Server-side setup

Install one JAR on the server; players can use the map in a browser with a vanilla client and no client mod.github.com · 3 Oct 2026

Supported server software

The project lists Fabric, Quilt, NeoForge, Spigot and Paper as supported server platforms.github.com · 3 Oct 2026

Map rendering

Explored chunks appear as players move around, and full renders read region files on worker threads without loading chunks.github.com · 3 Oct 2026

Map overlays

The map has toggleable claim, player, marker and waystone layers.github.com · 3 Oct 2026

Additional integrations

Waystones is an optional integration on Fabric, Quilt and NeoForge, while LuckPerms can provide command permission nodes.github.com · 3 Oct 2026

Mod block colors

At startup, the project scans installed mod JARs and resolves block colors from their textures; manual color overrides are available.github.com · 3 Oct 2026

API

The project documents read-only HTTP endpoints for world and status data, player data and map tiles, plus versioned overlay endpoints and optional Prometheus metrics.github.com · 3 Oct 2026

Support and updates

The repository says issues are processed every Wednesday.github.com · 3 Oct 2026

Notable limitations

The project says Forge is not shipped, and its listed limitations include no built-in authentication and no sub-path reverse proxying.github.com · 3 Oct 2026

Where it ranks on Samsung Mobile US Press

• Best Minecraft World Map Viewers in 2026#2 of 22

Sources

• github.com/CptGummiball/explorers-friend· checked 2 Oct 2026
• github.com/CptGummiball/explorers-friend/blob/main· checked 2 Oct 2026
• github.com/CptGummiball/explorers-friend/blob/main· checked 2 Oct 2026
• github.com/CptGummiball/explorers-friend/blob/main· checked 2 Oct 2026
• github.com/CptGummiball/explorers-friend/blob/main· checked 3 Oct 2026
• github.com/CptGummiball/explorers-friend/blob/main· checked 3 Oct 2026