Minecraft Server Setup Guide
Minecraft multiplayer setup guide covering server types, connection steps, world settings, whitelists, difficulty, plugins, backups, and beginner configuration.
Getting Started with Your Minecraft Server
Your Minecraft server is ready within 60 seconds of completing checkout. Here's how to get started.
Server Types Explained
Paper (Recommended)
- Best for: Plugin servers, survival, minigames
- Starting at: $2.99/month
- Features: Spigot/Bukkit plugin support, high performance, free MySQL
Paper is a high-performance fork of Spigot with optimizations for better tick rates, entity AI, and chunk loading. It's fully compatible with Spigot and Bukkit plugins.
Forge
- Best for: Modded Minecraft, modpacks
- Starting at: $5.49/month
- Features: Full mod support, modpack installer, automatic updates
Forge supports thousands of mods from CurseForge and Modrinth. Install popular modpacks like All The Mods, RLCraft, and SkyFactory.
Vanilla
- Best for: Pure Minecraft experience, small groups
- Starting at: $2.49/month
- Features: Official Mojang server, no modifications
The original Minecraft experience exactly as Mojang intended. Perfect for survival multiplayer without plugins or mods.
Connecting to Your Server
- Open Minecraft and click Multiplayer
- Click Add Server
- Enter your server address from the dashboard
- Click Done, then select your server and Join
Your server address is displayed on your dashboard and in your welcome email.
Server Configuration
From the Dashboard
Access your server's Settings tab to configure:
- Server name and MOTD
- Max players
- Difficulty and gamemode
- Whitelist settings
- Spawn protection
Startup Variables
Common variables you can adjust:
| Variable | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Server Version | Minecraft version | Latest |
| Server JAR | Server software (Paper/Spigot) | Paper |
| View Distance | Chunk render distance | 10 |
| Max Players | Player limit | Based on plan |
Installing Plugins (Paper/Spigot)
- Go to the Mods tab in your server dashboard
- Search for plugins by name (powered by Modrinth)
- Click Install on the plugin you want
- Restart your server
Popular plugins include:
- EssentialsX - Basic commands (/home, /spawn, /tp)
- LuckPerms - Permission management
- WorldEdit - In-game world editing
- Vault - Economy API for other plugins
- CoreProtect - Block logging and rollback
Installing Mods (Forge)
- Navigate to the Mods tab
- Search for mods from Modrinth
- Select the correct Minecraft version and mod loader
- Click Install
Important: Players must install the same mods on their client to join a modded server.
Free MySQL Database
Every Minecraft server includes a free MySQL database. Use it with plugins like:
- LuckPerms - Store permissions
- CoreProtect - Log block changes
- Economy plugins - Store player balances
Find your database credentials in the Databases tab of your server dashboard.
Performance Tips
- Use Paper instead of Vanilla for better performance
- Set view distance to 8-10 for optimal performance
- Pre-generate chunks using Chunky plugin
- Limit entities with plugin configurations
- Use Aikar's flags (pre-configured on all servers)
Next Steps
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