# Test keepInventory death handling before allowing server transfers

HuskSync gives special treatment to death snapshots and players who change servers while dead. With keepInventory, dropped-item assumptions can conflict with retained items. The maintainer documents a specific configuration and additional care for custom partial-retention plugins.

## Record the starting point

Use a disposable account with counted low-value items and record keepInventory behaviour on each participating backend. Save the current HuskSync configuration and test-account snapshot. Check the server requirement for the documented ITEMS\_TO\_KEEP mode before changing it.

## Work through the change

1. Read the current keep-inventory guidance and inspect synchronization.save\_on\_death. The documented arrangement uses ITEMS\_TO\_KEEP with save\_empty\_items and sync\_dead\_players\_changing\_server enabled; confirm it matches the installed release and supported Paper version.
2. Test a normal death and respawn on one backend. Compare inventory counts and the resulting snapshot before involving a server transfer.
3. Repeat a controlled death-screen disconnect and join the other backend through the normal route. Check the final alive state and inventory, then return to the first backend.
4. If a custom plugin keeps only selected items, review its supported HuskSync integration with its maintainer. A general keepInventory setting may not represent that plugin's item transformation.

## Check the result

The test account should retain exactly the intended items with no extra death drops or duplicate recovery state. Record both the same-server and cross-server results. A successful ordinary respawn does not prove that changing servers while dead is safe.

## If the result differs

If counts differ, stop the trial and compare snapshot contents, event ordering and the custom death plugin. The maintainer notes that advanced partial-retention setups may require a dedicated API hook. Avoid compensating items repeatedly while the source of duplication remains active.

Restore the saved test configuration if the change regresses death handling and recover only the disposable account's required state. Keep affected transfer behaviour restricted until verified. Do not delete all player snapshots or reset inventories to conceal an inconsistent test.

## References and related help

- [HuskSync maintainer reference 1](https://william278.net/docs/husksync/keep-inventory)
- [HuskSync maintainer reference 2](https://william278.net/docs/husksync/event-priorities)
- [Test cross-server inventory synchronisation with HuskSync](https://help.cloudexa-hosting.com/books/minecraft-plugins/page/test-cross-server-inventory-synchronisation-with-husksync)
- [Recover a Minecraft player inventory from a backup](https://help.cloudexa-hosting.com/books/game-hosting/page/recover-a-minecraft-player-inventory-from-a-backup)