I see a place in the Server properties to put in a group name for new players? But when I put in a group name it does not automatically add a new player to that group. Maybe this still can not be done?
Actually that's indeed the way how this could be achieved. You have to put the name of the desired group into the settings_default_newplayer_group field in the server.properties file. Remember to put the filename there (without the ending), i.e. if your permission file is called "awesomegroup.permissions", you have to put "awesomegroup" there.
Note that this only works for new players, i.e. for players who never joined the server in the past.
Alternatively you could edit the default.permissions file of course, as @Miwarre suggested, but keep in mind that this affects all group permissions then (all permissions are based on the default.permissions file).
Having a cronjob which updates the world database (as mentioned by @yahgiggle) is definitely the "crème de la crème", but also the most complicated solution in this case.
Achieving something like this will be easier once the new API is ready, since it provides access to the world database, but also allows changing the player group directly ![]()