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

# MOTDs

> Configure image and text-based MOTDs for your server.

MOTDs are configured under the `motds` key in your `config.yml`. Currently, these keys don't do anything special. If you have multiple MOTDs they'll be chosen at random when a client pings the server.

## Image MOTD

The simplest type of MOTD. Just point it to an image defined in your `images` section and Pictogram handles the rest.

```yaml theme={null}
motds:
  funny_motd:
    image: test_motd
```

| Field   | Description                                               |
| ------- | --------------------------------------------------------- |
| `image` | The ID of an image defined under `images` in your config. |

***

## Text MOTD

Instead of an image, you can write out your MOTD lines manually. Supports MiniMessage formatting tags, as well as Pictogram-specific tags like `<image:id>`.

```yaml theme={null}
motds:
  other_motd:
    description:
      - "<rainbow>This is some text!"
      - "<image:pictogram_tag><grey>, wow! what a cool tag..."
```

| Field         | Description                                                                    |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| `description` | A list of lines shown as the MOTD. Supports MiniMessage and `<image:id>` tags. |

### Fallback Description

Optionally, you can define a `fallback_description` that is shown to players on older client versions that don't support modern formatting. If this is not set, those players will just see the server's default MOTD.

```yaml theme={null}
    fallback_description:
      - "this is shown to people that are on a lower version"
      - "this is optional and will show the default motd if not present!"
```

### Virtual Hosts

If you're using Pictogram on a proxy such as Velocity or BungeeCord, then you can supply one (or multiple) virtual host(s).

```yaml theme={null}
    virtual_hosts:
      - "skyblock.pictogram.com"
```

<Note>
  Either `image` or `description` is required per MOTD entry, not both.
</Note>

***

## Additional Settings

These optional fields can be added to any MOTD entry, regardless of whether it uses `image` or `description`.

### Icon

Sets the server icon shown in the client's server list. The file must be located in your `images` directory.

```yaml theme={null}
motds:
  funny_motd:
    image: test_motd
    icon: icon.png
```

| Field  | Description                                                                   |
| ------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `icon` | Filename of the server icon image. Must be located in the `images` directory. |

### Hide Players

Hides the player count from the server list ping. When enabled, clients will see `???` instead of the current online player count.

<Warning>
  This setting is only supported on **Velocity** and **Paper**. It is not available on BungeeCord.
</Warning>

```yaml theme={null}
motds:
  funny_motd:
    image: test_motd
    hide_players: true
```

| Field          | Description                                                                                  |
| -------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `hide_players` | Whether to hide the player count from the server list. Supported on Velocity and Paper only. |

### Max Players

Visually overrides the maximum player count shown in the server list. This is purely cosmetic and does not enforce any player limit.

```yaml theme={null}
motds:
  funny_motd:
    image: test_motd
    max_players: 67
```

| Field         | Description                                                                                 |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `max_players` | The player count to display as the server maximum. Does not enforce an actual player limit. |