# Developer Overview
Name Tag provides a public API module (`Name-Tag-API`) that allows other plugins to programmatically set nicknames, skins, and query nick state for players.
---
## Maven / Gradle
The Name-Tag-API artifact is hosted on JitPack. Add it as a `compileOnly` / `provided` dependency so that Name Tag is not shaded into your plugin jar.
**Gradle (Kotlin DSL):**
```kotlin
repositories {
maven("https://jitpack.io")
}
dependencies {
compileOnly("com.github.Lodestones:Name-Tag-API:1.0.2")
}
```
**Maven:**
```xml
<repositories>
<repository>
<id>jitpack.io</id>
<url>https://jitpack.io</url>
</repository>
</repositories>
<dependencies>
<dependency>
<groupId>com.github.Lodestones</groupId>
<artifactId>Name-Tag-API</artifactId>
<version>1.0.2</version>
<scope>provided</scope>
</dependency>
</dependencies>
```
Add `NameTag` as a `depend` or `softdepend` in your `plugin.yml`:
```yaml
depend:
- NameTag
```
Or, if Name Tag is optional:
```yaml
softdepend:
- NameTag
```
---
## Accessing the API
The API is accessed through the static `NameTagAPI` class. The API instance is available after Name Tag has been enabled.
```java
import gg.lode.nametagapi.NameTagAPI;
import gg.lode.nametagapi.INameTagAPI;
INameTagAPI api = NameTagAPI.getApi();
if (api == null) {
// Name Tag is not loaded
return;
}
```
---
## Related Pages
- [[Name Tag/Developers/API Reference]] — Full interface documentation
- [[Name Tag/Server Owners/Overview]] — Plugin overview and installation
- [[Name Tag/Server Owners/Commands]] — Command reference