Variables & Substitution

Learn how to use variables to make your aliases dynamic and powerful.

What are Variables?

Variables are placeholders that get replaced with actual values when commands run.

Example:

/addcommand add hello say Hello ${player}!

When you run /hello, ${player} gets replaced with your username.

Built-in Variables

These variables are always available:

Using Variables

Player Variable

/addcommand add whoami say You are: ${player}
/addcommand add greet say Hello, ${player}! Welcome back!

Coordinate Variables

/addcommand add here say ${player} is at X:${x} Y:${y} Z:${z}
/addcommand add coords say Coordinates: ${x}, ${y}, ${z}

Combined

/addcommand add location say ${player} is at (${x}, ${y}, ${z})

Custom Variables

Create your own variables that don't change frequently:

Creating a Custom Variable

/setcmdvariable server_name "MyAwesomeServer"
/setcmdvariable admin_discord "https://discord.gg/example"
/setcmdvariable spawn_coords "0 65 0"

Using Custom Variables

/addcommand add discord say Join our Discord: ${admin_discord}
/addcommand add about say Server: ${server_name}
/addcommand add spawn tp ${player} ${spawn_coords}

Custom Syntax Variables

Parameters from syntax patterns become variables:

Pattern Definition

{
  "tpa": {
    "pattern": "/tpa <player>",
    "description": "Teleport request"
  }
}

Creating the Variable

The syntax name is tpa and parameter is player:

${tpa_player}

Using in Alias

{
  "tpa": "tellraw ${tpa_player} {\"text\":\"${player} requests TPA\",\"color\":\"yellow\"}"
}

Multi-Parameter Variables

Pattern with Multiple Parameters

{
  "ban": {
    "pattern": "/ban <player> <reason>",
    "description": "Ban a player"
  }
}

Variables Created

• ${ban_player} - The player name
• ${ban_reason} - The ban reason

Using Both

{
  "ban": "ban-ip ${ban_player} && say [BAN] ${ban_player} banned for: ${ban_reason}"
}

Three Parameter Example

{
  "msg": {
    "pattern": "/msg <player> <color> <message>",
    "description": "Send colored message"
  }
}

Variables:

• ${msg_player}
• ${msg_color}
• ${msg_message}

{
  "msg": "tellraw ${msg_player} {\"text\":\"${msg_message}\",\"color\":\"${msg_color}\"}"
}

Variable Naming Rules

• Variables are case-sensitive
• ${Player} and ${player} are different
• Use lowercase for consistency
• Custom variables must not contain spaces
• Use underscores instead: ${my_variable}
• Names can contain letters, numbers, underscores

Advanced: Combining Variables

Multiple Variables in One Command

/addcommand add info say ${player} is at ${x} ${y} ${z} on ${server_name}

Variables with Text

/addcommand add status say Status: ${player} - OK (${server_name})

Variables in Selectors

/addcommand add heal effect give @s instant_health 1 && say Healed ${player}

Variable Examples

Welcome System

/setcmdvariable server_name "Adventure Server"
/setcmdvariable rules_url "https://rules.example.com"

/addcommand add welcome say Welcome to ${server_name}, ${player}!
/addcommand add rules say Read our rules: ${rules_url}

Teleport System

/setcmdvariable spawn_point "0 65 0"
/setcmdvariable pvp_arena "1000 100 1000"

/addcommand add spawn tp ${player} ${spawn_point}
/addcommand add arena tp ${player} ${pvp_arena}

Moderation System

/setcmdvariable kick_reason "Breaking server rules"
/setcmdvariable ban_reason "Permanent ban for serious violations"

/addcommand add kick kick ${player} ${kick_reason}
/addcommand add ban ban ${player} ${ban_reason}

Viewing Custom Variables

Custom variables are stored in:

.minecraft/config/CommandMaker/variables.json

You can edit this file directly or use commands:

/setcmdvariable name "value"  # Create or update
/setcmdvariable name delete   # Delete (for future versions)

Variable Performance

• Built-in variables (${player}, ${x}, etc.) have minimal impact
• Custom variables are loaded once at startup
• No performance penalty for using variables
• Substitution happens instantly

Troubleshooting Variables

Variable not replacing?

• Check spelling (case-sensitive!)
• Use correct syntax: ${variable}
• Make sure variable exists if custom
• Reload with /addcommand reload

Getting literal ${} in chat?

WRONG: /addcommand add test say $player
RIGHT: /addcommand add test say ${player}

Custom variable returns nothing?

1. Create it first: /setcmdvariable myvar "value"
2. Use in command: /addcommand add test say ${myvar}
3. Reload: /addcommand reload