add ecloud block

docs/issues/ecloud-block.md

@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+---
+description: Fixing blocked connections to the PlaceholderAPI Expansion Cloud (eCloud).
+---
+
+# eCloud connection blocked
+
+If you cannot download expansions via PlaceholderAPI, your server may be unable to reach the PlaceholderAPI Expansion Cloud (eCloud). This is usually caused by a network restriction by your host, firewall, or ISP.
+
+## Symptoms
+
+Common signs include:
+
+- You were directed to this page via an in-game message.
+- `/papi ecloud download/update <expansion>` fails (timeouts, errors, connection refused, or similar).
+
+## Why it happens
+
+The download command requires outbound HTTPS access from your server to PlaceholderAPI’s eCloud API. Connections can be blocked by:
+
+- Your server host’s firewall / security policy
+- A local firewall on the machine
+- A network firewall (datacenter, router)
+- DNS filtering or an ISP block
+
+## Domains PlaceholderAPI uses
+
+Allow outbound HTTPS (TCP 443) to these domains:
+
+- PlaceholderAPI **< 2.12.0** uses `api.extendedclip.com`
+- PlaceholderAPI **>= 2.12.0** uses `*.placeholderapi.com`
+
+## Fix options
+
+### 1) Ask your host to unblock the eCloud
+
+If you use shared hosting or a managed host, you may not be able to change firewall rules yourself. Contact your host and ask them to allow outbound HTTPS requests to the domains listed above.
+
+### 2) Check firewalls / filters you control
+
+If you manage your own server, check any outbound filtering:
+
+- OS firewall rules (Windows Firewall / `ufw` / `iptables`)
+- Router/datacenter firewall rules
+- DNS filtering
+
+### 3) Manually install expansions (works even if the eCloud is blocked)
+
+If unblocking is not an option, you can download expansions manually:
+
+1. Go to https://ecloud.placeholderapi.com/
+2. Open the expansion you want.
+3. Download the `.jar`.
+4. Put it into your server’s `plugins/PlaceholderAPI/expansions/` folder.
+5. Run [`/papi reload`](../users/commands.md#papi-reload) (or restart the server).
+
+## Quick connectivity checks (optional)
+
+If you have access to the machine running the server, these checks can help confirm a block.
+
+### Linux
+
+```bash
+curl -I https://ecloud.placeholderapi.com/api/v3/
+curl -I https://api.extendedclip.com/v2/
+```
+
+### Windows (PowerShell)
+
+```powershell
+Invoke-WebRequest -Method Head https://ecloud.placeholderapi.com/api/v3/
+Invoke-WebRequest -Method Head https://api.extendedclip.com/v2/
+```
+
+If these commands fail on the server but work on your own PC/network, the server host or datacenter network is most likely blocking outbound connections.
+
+## Still stuck?
+
+If you need help, join the [Discord Server](https://discord.gg/helpchat) and share:
+
+- What you've tried
+- The full console error from the download attempt
+- The link provided by `/papi dump`
+