Install Java

Minecraft servers require Java to run. Download and install the latest version of Java Development Kit (JDK) from the official Oracle website or use OpenJDK.

Download PaperMC Server Jar

PaperMC is a high-performance fork of Spigot that provides better performance and more features. Visit the official PaperMC downloads page:

Select the latest Minecraft version and download the Paper jar file.

Create Server Directory

Create a new folder on your computer where you want to run the Minecraft server. For example:

Place the downloaded Paper jar file in this directory.

Create Server Startup Script

Create a batch file (Windows) or shell script (Mac/Linux) to easily start your server. Create a new text file called "start.bat" with the following content:

Adjust the -Xmx and -Xms values based on your available RAM. This example allocates 4GB.

Run the Server for the First Time

Double-click your start.bat file to run the server. The first run will generate necessary files and create an eula.txt file.

Configure Server Settings

Edit the server.properties file to customize your server settings:

You can modify these and other settings to match your preferences.

Port Forwarding (For Public Access)

If you want others to join your server over the internet, you'll need to set up port forwarding on your router:

1. Access your router's admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1)
2. Find the "Port Forwarding" section
3. Add a new rule to forward port 25565 to your computer's local IP address

Start Playing!

After configuration, start your server again using the start.bat file. Players can connect using your public IP address (for internet play) or "localhost" (for local play).