# Hytale Text Holograms > Creates floating text holograms in Hytale plugins using invisible entities with nameplates. Use when displaying floating text, title holograms, labels above locations, NPC names, or any world-positioned text displays. Triggers - hologram, text hologram, nameplate, floating text, title hologram, Nameplate, world label, entity nameplate, hovering text. - Skill: `jburlison/hytale-text-holograms` (Agent Skill) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add jburlison/hytale-text-holograms` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/jburlison/hytale-text-holograms/raw - Safety review: pending - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Coding & Dev Tools - Author: JBurlison (https://skillmd.com/u/jburlison) - Updated: 2026-09-17 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/jburlison/hytale-text-holograms --- # Hytale Text Holograms Skill Use this skill when creating floating text displays (holograms) in the world. Holograms are invisible entities with a `Nameplate` component that displays text above them. --- ## Quick Reference | Concept | Description | |---------|-------------| | **Nameplate** | Component that displays text above an entity | | **ProjectileComponent** | Used as an invisible entity shell for the hologram | | **TransformComponent** | Positions the hologram in the world | | **NetworkId** | Required for client-side synchronization | | **UUIDComponent** | Gives the entity a unique identity | | **Holder** | Used to stage components before spawning | --- ## How It Works Text holograms work by spawning an invisible entity (using a `ProjectileComponent` as a shell) and attaching a `Nameplate` component to display floating text. The entity is invisible but the nameplate renders as floating text in the world. --- ## Required Imports ```java import com.hypixel.hytale.component.Holder; import com.hypixel.hytale.math.vector.Transform; import com.hypixel.hytale.math.vector.Vec3d; import com.hypixel.hytale.math.vector.Vec4f; import com.hypixel.hytale.server.core.entity.UUIDComponent; import com.hypixel.hytale.server.core.entity.entities.ProjectileComponent; import com.hypixel.hytale.server.core.entity.nameplate.Nameplate; import com.hypixel.hytale.server.core.modules.entity.component.TransformComponent; import com.hypixel.hytale.server.core.modules.entity.tracker.NetworkId; import com.hypixel.hytale.server.core.universe.PlayerRef; import com.hypixel.hytale.server.core.universe.Universe; import com.hypixel.hytale.server.core.universe.world.World; import com.hypixel.hytale.server.core.universe.world.storage.EntityStore; ``` --- ## Step-by-Step Process ### 1. Get World Reference All entity operations must run on the world thread. First, obtain the world where the hologram will spawn: ```java // From a player context UUID playerUUID = ctx.sender().getUuid(); PlayerRef playerRef = Universe.get().getPlayer(playerUUID); World world = Universe.get().getWorld(playerRef.getWorldUuid()); Transform playerTransform = playerRef.getTransform(); ``` ### 2. Execute on World Thread Entity operations must run on the world thread: ```java world.execute(() -> { // All hologram creation code goes here }); ``` ### 3. Create Entity Holder Create a holder to stage components before spawning: ```java Holder holder = EntityStore.REGISTRY.newHolder(); ``` ### 4. Create Projectile Component (Entity Shell) The projectile provides a valid entity shell. It won't move or behave like a real projectile: ```java ProjectileComponent projectileComponent = new ProjectileComponent("Projectile"); ``` ### 5. Add Position and Identity Components | Component | Purpose | |-----------|---------| | `ProjectileComponent` | Provides a valid entity shell | | `TransformComponent` | Sets the entity's position and rotation | | `UUIDComponent` | Gives the entity a unique identity | ```java holder.putComponent(ProjectileComponent.getComponentType(), projectileComponent); holder.putComponent( TransformComponent.getComponentType(), new TransformComponent( playerTransform.getPosition().clone(), playerTransform.getRotation().clone() ) ); holder.ensureComponent(UUIDComponent.getComponentType()); ``` ### 6. Initialize the Projectile Ensure the projectile entity is fully created before proceeding: ```java if (projectileComponent.getProjectile() == null) { projectileComponent.initialize(); if (projectileComponent.getProjectile() == null) { return; // Initialization failed } } ``` ### 7. Add Network and Nameplate Components | Component | Purpose | |-----------|---------| | `NetworkId` | Allows the entity to be synced to clients | | `Nameplate` | The actual hologram text displayed | ```java holder.addComponent( NetworkId.getComponentType(), new NetworkId( world.getEntityStore() .getStore() .getExternalData() .takeNextNetworkId() ) ); holder.addComponent( Nameplate.getComponentType(), new Nameplate("Your Hologram Text Here") ); ``` ### 8. Spawn the Entity Insert the hologram entity into the world: ```java world.getEntityStore() .getStore() .addEntity(holder, com.hypixel.hytale.component.AddReason.SPAWN); ``` --- ## Complete Example - Hologram Command ```java package org.example.plugin; import com.hypixel.hytale.component.Holder; import com.hypixel.hytale.math.vector.Transform; import com.hypixel.hytale.server.core.command.system.CommandContext; import com.hypixel.hytale.server.core.command.system.basecommands.CommandBase; import com.hypixel.hytale.server.core.entity.UUIDComponent; import com.hypixel.hytale.server.core.entity.entities.ProjectileComponent; import com.hypixel.hytale.server.core.entity.nameplate.Nameplate; import com.hypixel.hytale.server.core.modules.entity.component.TransformComponent; import com.hypixel.hytale.server.core.modules.entity.tracker.NetworkId; import com.hypixel.hytale.server.core.universe.PlayerRef; import com.hypixel.hytale.server.core.universe.Universe; import com.hypixel.hytale.server.core.universe.world.World; import com.hypixel.hytale.server.core.universe.world.storage.EntityStore; import javax.annotation.Nonnull; import java.util.UUID; public class TitleHologramCommand extends CommandBase { public TitleHologramCommand() { super("TitleHologram", "Create a title hologram."); } @Override protected void executeSync(@Nonnull CommandContext ctx) { UUID playerUUID = ctx.sender().getUuid(); PlayerRef playerRef = Universe.get().getPlayer(playerUUID); World world = Universe.get().getWorld(playerRef.getWorldUuid()); Transform playerTransform = playerRef.getTransform(); world.execute(() -> { Holder holder = EntityStore.REGISTRY.newHolder(); ProjectileComponent projectileComponent = new ProjectileComponent("Projectile"); holder.putComponent(ProjectileComponent.getComponentType(), projectileComponent); holder.putComponent( TransformComponent.getComponentType(), new TransformComponent( playerTransform.getPosition().clone(), playerTransform.getRotation().clone() ) ); holder.ensureComponent(UUIDComponent.getComponentType()); if (projectileComponent.getProjectile() == null) { projectileComponent.initialize(); if (projectileComponent.getProjectile() == null) { return; } } holder.addComponent( NetworkId.getComponentType(), new NetworkId( world.getEntityStore() .getStore() .getExternalData() .takeNextNetworkId() ) ); holder.addComponent( Nameplate.getComponentType(), new Nameplate("Testing Holograms") ); world.getEntityStore() .getStore() .addEntity(holder, com.hypixel.hytale.component.AddReason.SPAWN); }); } } ``` --- ## Spawning at Custom Position To spawn a hologram at a specific position instead of the player's location: ```java Vec3d position = new Vec3d(100.0, 65.0, 200.0); Vec4f rotation = new Vec4f(0, 0, 0, 1); // Identity quaternion holder.putComponent( TransformComponent.getComponentType(), new TransformComponent(position, rotation) ); ``` --- ## Utility Method Example Create a reusable utility method for spawning holograms: ```java public static void spawnHologram(World world, Vec3d position, String text) { world.execute(() -> { Holder holder = EntityStore.REGISTRY.newHolder(); ProjectileComponent projectileComponent = new ProjectileComponent("Projectile"); holder.putComponent(ProjectileComponent.getComponentType(), projectileComponent); holder.putComponent( TransformComponent.getComponentType(), new TransformComponent(position.clone(), new Vec4f(0, 0, 0, 1)) ); holder.ensureComponent(UUIDComponent.getComponentType()); if (projectileComponent.getProjectile() == null) { projectileComponent.initialize(); if (projectileComponent.getProjectile() == null) { return; } } holder.addComponent( NetworkId.getComponentType(), new NetworkId( world.getEntityStore() .getStore() .getExternalData() .takeNextNetworkId() ) ); holder.addComponent( Nameplate.getComponentType(), new Nameplate(text) ); world.getEntityStore() .getStore() .addEntity(holder, com.hypixel.hytale.component.AddReason.SPAWN); }); } ``` --- ## Key Points 1. **World Thread Required**: All entity operations must run inside `world.execute(() -> { ... })` 2. **ProjectileComponent**: Used as an invisible shell - it won't move or behave like a projectile 3. **NetworkId Required**: Without this, the hologram won't sync to clients 4. **UUIDComponent Required**: Provides unique entity identity 5. **Initialize Projectile**: Must call `projectileComponent.initialize()` before spawning 6. **Nameplate Text**: The text passed to `new Nameplate(text)` will be displayed as floating text --- ## Troubleshooting | Issue | Solution | |-------|----------| | Hologram not visible | Ensure `NetworkId` component is added | | Entity not spawning | Check that `projectileComponent.initialize()` succeeded | | Wrong position | Verify `TransformComponent` has correct coordinates | | Crashes on spawn | Ensure code runs inside `world.execute()` | --- ## Credits Thanks to Al3xWarrior and Quito on Discord for initially discovering this feature, and Elie for the initial code snippet. --- ## Reference - Source: [Hytale Modding - Text Hologram Guide](https://hytalemodding.dev/en/docs/guides/plugin/text-hologram)