How to Run a Minecraft Server

Follow practical setup guides for running Minecraft Java servers.

How to Run a Minecraft Server features

Follow setup guides for running Vanilla, Paper, and Purpur Minecraft servers with Java, memory, EULA, plugins, and startup commands.

Learn which Java version and memory settings to use for common Minecraft server versions.
Review startup commands, EULA notes, shutdown tips, and Linux permission basics.
Compare Vanilla, Paper, and Purpur setup steps before launching a server.

The full interactive workspace is designed for larger screens, but this page describes the Minecraft server tools so search engines and mobile visitors can understand what the site offers.

How to run a Server

Run Paper

Paper is a high-performance Bukkit/Spigot-compatible server. It is the safest default if you want plugins while keeping modern Minecraft behavior.

Download Java

Modern Minecraft servers need a Java Development Kit (JDK) or Java Runtime Environment (JRE). You can check in the Table below which Java version is recommended for your Minecraft version.

Temurin from Eclipse Adoptium is a reliable default. Download the installer for your operating system, install it, then open a new terminal and verify Java is available.

Download Temurin JDK

Check Java

java -version

Different Minecraft versions require different Java versions:

Minecraft versionJava version

26.1+Java 25

1.20.5 to 1.21.11Java 21

1.18 to 1.20.4Java 17

1.17 to 1.17.1Java 16

1.12 to 1.16.5Java 8

1.7.10 to 1.11Java 8

Choose enough RAM

RAM depends more on player count, view distance, loaded chunks, worlds, datapacks, and plugins than on the server type alone. Start modestly, then raise memory if the server logs show pauses or players report lag.

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

Use this as a starting point, then adjust based on player count, plugins, worlds, and view distance:

PlayersRecommended RAM

1-42-4GB

5-104-6GB

10-206-8GB

20-408-12GB

40+12GB+

Download the server

Use the Server Generator in this app, download the generated ZIP file and extract it. Or use the provided command to automatically download the ZIP and extract it.

Open the extracted folder in a terminal and run the command below to start the server.

Linux Permissions

Make sure the server files have the correct permissions. If the Linux start script does not run, make it executable first.

chmod +x start.sh

First start

./start.sh

Shutdown

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

Accept the EULA

The first run usually creates eula.txt and then stops. Open that file, read Mojang's EULA, and set eula=true only if you agree.

After that, run the server command again and wait until the console says the server is done starting.

Add plugins

Put compatible plugins in the plugins folder, then restart. Add plugins in small batches and read console logs after each restart.

Use the newest plugin version that supports your Minecraft version. Remove plugins that are abandoned, duplicated, or built for a different server type.