---
type: User Story
title: "US-006: Configure and persist Leaf"
description: Provide validated configuration and durable, defensive storage for Leaf behavior.
status: done
---

# US-006: Configure and persist Leaf

As a **server operator**, I want Leaf settings and player state to be validated and durable so that protection remains predictable across restarts.

## Acceptance criteria

- [x] Configuration supports the global enabled state, Resistance and Strength levels, leaf prefix, onboarding duration, and player-facing messages.
- [x] Resistance strength defaults to level I and accepts only Minecraft Resistance levels I through V.
- [x] Strength defaults to level I and accepts only Minecraft Strength levels I through V.
- [x] Runtime changes made through `/leaf enabled` and `/leaf effect` are persisted for subsequent restarts.
- [x] UUID-keyed player state persists the latest known name, saved opt-in choice, administrative lock, and first-join timestamp.
- [x] Date-times use RFC 3339 UTC notation with a `Z` suffix.
- [x] State is saved safely so that a failed write does not replace valid persisted state with a partial document.
- [x] Invalid required configuration prevents partial plugin initialization and produces a clear server log message.
- [x] Corrupt or invalid player records are handled defensively and cannot silently grant protection or privileges.
- [x] Removing Leaf-managed Resistance or Strength does not remove a distinct corresponding effect that Leaf does not own when the API provides enough information to distinguish it.
- [x] A temporary external Resistance or Strength effect is preserved instead of overwritten, and Leaf restores its configured effect after the external effect ends.
- [x] The leaf prefix remains visible while an external effect temporarily replaces a Leaf-managed effect.
- [x] Unknown forward-compatible configuration and player-state fields are preserved where practical.

## Related

- [US-001: Opt into Leaf protection](us-001-opt-into-leaf-protection.md)
- [US-004: Introduce new players to Leaf](us-004-introduce-new-players-to-leaf.md)
- [US-005: Administer Leaf](us-005-administer-leaf.md)
- [US-007: Build and release Leaf](us-007-build-and-release-leaf.md)