> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://velas.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# ScoreboardHandler: Create and Retrieve Scoreboards

> ScoreboardHandler is the factory for Scoreboard instances. Obtain it via ScoreboardAPI.getHandler() then call createScoreboard() to get started.

`ScoreboardHandler` is obtained via `ScoreboardAPI.getHandler()` and is the factory for creating and looking up `Scoreboard` instances. You do not instantiate it directly.

## Methods

### `createScoreboard()`

Returns `Scoreboard` — never `null`.

Creates a new `Scoreboard` instance. You can create multiple scoreboards for different purposes — for example, one per game arena or one per player group.

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### `getScoreboard(Player player)`

Returns `Scoreboard` or `null`.

Retrieves the `Scoreboard` currently associated with the given player. Returns `null` if the player has no scoreboard assigned to them.

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### `getVersion()`

Returns `String` — the VelaBoard implementation version currently running on the server.

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## Example

```java theme={null}
ScoreboardHandler handler = ScoreboardAPI.getHandler();
Scoreboard board = handler.createScoreboard();

// Later, retrieve by player:
Scoreboard existing = handler.getScoreboard(player);
if (existing != null) {
    // player already has a scoreboard
}
```