Question 1

How do I start profiling my server?

Accepted Answer

Run `/spark profiler start` to begin a profiling session, then let it run while you reproduce the lag you're experiencing. When you're done, use `/spark profiler stop` to end the session and get a shareable report link.

Question 2

What's the difference between CPU profiling and memory profiling?

Accepted Answer

CPU profiling identifies which tasks and plugins are consuming processing power and causing tick lag, while memory profiling shows how much RAM different classes are using and helps detect memory leaks. Use CPU profiling to find lag sources and memory profiling when your server is running out of RAM.

Question 3

How do I check my server's TPS right now?

Accepted Answer

Run `/spark tps` to instantly see your current ticks-per-second and CPU usage percentage. This gives you a quick snapshot without needing to start a full profiling session.

Question 4

What does a heap dump do and when should I use it?

Accepted Answer

A heap dump captures a complete snapshot of everything stored in your server's memory at that moment, letting you analyze which objects are taking up space. Use this when you suspect a memory leak or need deep investigation into what's consuming RAM.

Question 5

Can I share my performance report with someone else?

Accepted Answer

Yes—when you stop a profiler session, Spark generates a link to an interactive web-based report that you can share with developers, support teams, or collaborators without needing to send files.

Question 6

Why is my server lagging even though TPS looks normal?

Accepted Answer

High TPS doesn't always mean smooth gameplay; use `/spark profiler start` to identify CPU-heavy tasks, or check `/spark healthreport` to see if memory, disk space, or garbage collection is the real bottleneck.

Question 7

How do I track tick spikes and lag stutters?

Accepted Answer

Run `/spark tickmonitoring` to watch for anomalies and sudden spikes in tick duration, which helps you pinpoint exactly when and why your server stutters.

Question 8

What should I do if a profiling session takes too long?

Accepted Answer

Profiling adds a small overhead to your server, so keep sessions short—usually 30 seconds to a few minutes is enough to capture the lag you're investigating. Stop the profiler with `/spark profiler stop` if the server feels sluggish during profiling.

Question 9

Can Spark tell me which plugin is causing lag?

Accepted Answer

Yes—the CPU profiler's call graph shows which plugins and tasks are consuming the most processing time, making it easy to identify the culprit and decide whether to optimize, update, or remove it.

Question 10

Does Spark work on single-player worlds or only servers?

Accepted Answer

Spark is primarily designed for server environments and works best with Bukkit-based servers; single-player profiling support depends on your specific Minecraft setup and mod loader.

Spark Plugin FAQ

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