diff --git a/build.gradle b/build.gradle
index 8df6db3..385374f 100644
--- a/build.gradle
+++ b/build.gradle
@@ -4,6 +4,9 @@ plugins {
 }
 
 import org.gradle.internal.os.OperatingSystem
+import groovy.json.JsonOutput
+
+version = plugin_version
 
 ext {
     if (project.hasProperty('hytale_home')) {
@@ -57,25 +60,38 @@ if (!serverRunDir.exists()) {
     serverRunDir.mkdirs()
 }
 
-// Updates the manifest.json file with the latest properties defined in the
-// build.properties file. Currently we update the version and if packs are
-// included with the plugin.
-tasks.register('updatePluginManifest') {
-    def manifestFile = file('src/main/resources/manifest.json')
+// Generate the manifest.json file with the latest properties defined in the
+// build.properties file.
+tasks.register('generatePluginManifest') {
+    group = "hytale"
+    description = "Generates the manifest.json dynamically in the build directory."
+    def outputDir = file("${project.layout.buildDirectory.get().asFile}/resources/main")
+    def manifestFile = file("${outputDir}/manifest.json")
     doLast {
-        if (!manifestFile.exists()) {
-            throw new GradleException("Could not find manifest.json at ${manifestFile.path}!")
-        }
-        def manifestJson = new groovy.json.JsonSlurper().parseText(manifestFile.text)
-        manifestJson.Version = version
-        manifestJson.IncludesAssetPack = includes_pack.toBoolean()
-        manifestFile.text = groovy.json.JsonOutput.prettyPrint(groovy.json.JsonOutput.toJson(manifestJson))
+        if (!outputDir.exists()) outputDir.mkdirs()
+        def manifestData = [
+            Group: project.findProperty('plugin_group'),
+            Name: project.findProperty('plugin_name'),
+            Version: project.findProperty('plugin_version'),
+            Description: project.findProperty('plugin_description'),
+            Authors: project.findProperty('plugin_authors')?.split(',')?.collect { [Name: it.trim()] } ?: [],
+            Website: project.findProperty('plugin_url'),
+            ServerVersion: project.findProperty('server_version') ?: "*",
+            Dependencies: new groovy.json.JsonSlurper().parseText(project.findProperty('plugin_dependencies') ?: "{}"),
+            OptionalDependencies: new groovy.json.JsonSlurper().parseText(project.findProperty('plugin_optional_dependencies') ?: "{}"),
+            DisabledByDefault: project.findProperty('disabled_by_default')?.toBoolean() ?: false,
+            Main: project.findProperty('plugin_main_class'),
+            IncludesAssetPack: project.findProperty('includes_pack')?.toBoolean() ?: false
+        ]
+
+        manifestFile.text = JsonOutput.prettyPrint(JsonOutput.toJson(manifestData))
+        logger.lifecycle("Hytale Manifest generated at: ${manifestFile.path}")
     }
 }
 
 // Makes sure the plugin manifest is up to date.
 tasks.named('processResources') {
-    dependsOn 'updatePluginManifest'
+    finalizedBy 'generatePluginManifest'
 }
 
 def createServerRunArguments(String srcDir) {
@@ -129,3 +145,17 @@ tasks.register('generateVSCodeLaunch') {
         launchFile.text = groovy.json.JsonOutput.prettyPrint(groovy.json.JsonOutput.toJson(launchConfig))
     }
 }
+
+// Runs the Hytale server directly from the terminal, automatically compiling 
+// your code and injecting the generated manifest from the build directory.
+task runHytale(type: JavaExec) {
+    group = "hytale"
+    description = "Run the Hytale server directly from Gradle with current settings."
+    mainClass = 'com.hypixel.hytale.Main'
+    classpath = sourceSets.main.runtimeClasspath
+    workingDir = serverRunDir
+    standardInput = System.in
+    def buildResourcesDir = file("${project.layout.buildDirectory.get().asFile}/resources/main")
+    args = createServerRunArguments(buildResourcesDir.absolutePath).split(' ').collect { it.replace('"', '') }
+    dependsOn classes, processResources
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/gradle.properties b/gradle.properties
index e0e99eb..2517547 100644
--- a/gradle.properties
+++ b/gradle.properties
@@ -1,19 +1,22 @@
-# The current version of your project. Please use semantic versioning!
-version=0.0.2
-
-# The group ID used for maven publishing. Usually the same as your package name
-# but not the same as your plugin group!
-maven_group=org.example
+################### Environment Properties ###################
 
 # The version of Java used by your plugin. The game is built on Java 21 but
 # actually runs on Java 25.
 java_version=25
 
+# Specifies the required Hytale server version for this plugin. 
+# Use "*" to allow any version or a specific version string like "1.0.0".
+server_version=*
+
 # Determines if your plugin should also be loaded as an asset pack. If your
 # pack contains assets, or you intend to use the in-game asset editor, you
 # want this to be true.
 includes_pack=true
 
+# If true, the plugin will be installed but not activated until the user
+# manually enables it in the game's plugin manager.
+disabled_by_default=false
+
 # The release channel your plugin should be built and ran against. This is
 # usually release or pre-release. You can verify your settings in the
 # official launcher.
@@ -29,4 +32,41 @@ load_user_mods=false
 # manually. You may also want to use a custom path if you are building in
 # a non-standard environment like a build server. The home path should
 # the folder that contains the install and UserData folder.
-# hytale_home=./test-file
\ No newline at end of file
+# hytale_home=./test-file
+
+####################### Maven Properties ######################
+
+# The group ID used for maven publishing. Usually the same as your package name
+# but not the same as your plugin group!
+maven_group=org.example
+
+###################### Plugin Properties ######################
+
+# The group ID used for Hytale publishing.
+plugin_group=Example
+
+# The display name of your plugin.
+plugin_name=ExamplePlugin
+
+# The main class of your plugin, used as the entry point.
+plugin_main_class=org.example.plugin.ExamplePlugin
+
+# The current version of your project. Please use semantic versioning!
+plugin_version=0.0.2
+
+# A comma-separated list of the people or teams who created the plugin.
+plugin_authors=YourNameHere, OtherNameHere
+
+# A short summary of what your plugin does, which will be visible to users.
+plugin_description=An example plugin for HyTale!
+
+# The official website or repository URL for the plugin project.
+plugin_url=example.com
+
+# A JSON object defining other plugins required for this one to function.
+# Example: {"hytale.essentials": "1.0.0"}
+plugin_dependencies={}
+
+# A JSON object defining plugins that add extra features if present, 
+# but are not strictly required for the plugin to run.
+plugin_optional_dependencies={}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/main/resources/manifest.json b/src/main/resources/manifest.json
deleted file mode 100644
index 169a0cc..0000000
--- a/src/main/resources/manifest.json
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,22 +0,0 @@
-{
-    "Group": "Example",
-    "Name": "ExamplePlugin",
-    "Version": "0.0.2",
-    "Description": "An example plugin for HyTale!",
-    "Authors": [
-        {
-            "Name": "It's you!"
-        }
-    ],
-    "Website": "example.org",
-    "ServerVersion": "*",
-    "Dependencies": {
-        
-    },
-    "OptionalDependencies": {
-        
-    },
-    "DisabledByDefault": false,
-    "Main": "org.example.plugin.ExamplePlugin",
-    "IncludesAssetPack": true
-}
\ No newline at end of file