Server Setup6 min readUpdated 2026-05-27

Run a Paper Minecraft Server

Create and start a simple Paper server with the Server Generator tool.

Paper is a solid default for most public Minecraft Java servers. It keeps modern Minecraft behavior, supports Bukkit and Spigot plugins, and adds useful performance improvements over vanilla when players are online. Choose Paper if you want plugin support, a familiar admin workflow, and fewer performance surprises under load.

1. Install Java

Modern Minecraft servers need a Java runtime. Temurin from Eclipse Adoptium is a reliable choice for Linux, Windows, and macOS.

Download Temurin JDK

Check Java

java -version

Different Minecraft versions require different Java versions:

Minecraft version	Java version
1.26.1+	Java 25
1.20.5 to 1.21.11	Java 21
1.18 to 1.20.4	Java 17
1.17 to 1.17.1	Java 16
1.12 to 1.16.5	Java 8
1.7.10 to 1.11	Java 8

2. Pick memory

RAM usage depends more on player count, view distance, loaded chunks, worlds, datapacks, and plugins than on the server type alone. Start with a modest amount, then increase it if logs show long pauses or players report lag.

Do not give Java all memory on the machine. Leave at least 1–2 GB for the operating system, backups, and other background services.

3. Generate and start the server

Use the Server Generator to choose Paper and select your Minecraft version. It creates a ZIP file with the server files and ready-to-use start scripts. Extract the ZIP into a new empty folder where the server should live. Then start the server once using the command for your operating system below. The first start may stop after creating eula.txt. This is normal if you have not already accepted the EULA in the generator.

Open Server Generator

First start

./start.sh

Linux Permissions

Make sure the start script has execute permission. If the Linux start script does not run, make it executable first.

sudo chmod +x start.sh

4. Accept the EULA

Warning

If you've already accepted the EULA in the Server Generator, you can skip this step.

The first run usually creates eula.txt and then stops. Read Mojang's EULA, and if you agree, open eula.txt and change:

eula.txt

eula=true

Start the server again. When the console says Done, the server is running.

5. Add plugins carefully

Put compatible plugins in the plugins folder.
Download plugins from trusted sources such as Hangar, Modrinth, SpigotMC, or the plugin author's official page.
Avoid abandoned plugins unless you know they still work with your version.
Add plugins in small batches so problems are easier to trace.

Shutdown

Use stop in the server console when you want to shut the server down. Closing the terminal directly can interrupt world saves.