> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.opus-host.de/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Set Up a Minecraft Java Edition Server on Your VPS

> Install and run a Minecraft Java Edition server on your Opus Host VPS — invite friends, configure the server, and keep it running 24/7.

Your Opus Host VPS can run a Minecraft server 24/7 so you and your friends can play anytime. This guide covers installing Java, setting up the server, and keeping it running in the background — even after you close your terminal.

<Note>
  We recommend a VPS with at least **1 GB of RAM** for a smooth experience. Check [Resource Limits](/vps/resource-limits) to see your current allocation. You also need port **25565** open before players can connect — see [Networking](/panel/networking).
</Note>

## Install Java

<Steps>
  <Step title="Update packages">
    Refresh your package lists to make sure you install the latest available versions:

    ```bash theme={null}
    apt update
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install Java 17">
    Minecraft 1.17 and later require Java 17. Install the headless JRE (no desktop environment needed on a VPS):

    ```bash theme={null}
    apt install openjdk-17-jre-headless -y
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify the installation">
    Confirm Java is installed and check the version:

    ```bash theme={null}
    java -version
    ```

    You should see output similar to `openjdk version "17.x.x"`.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Download and Run the Minecraft Server

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create a dedicated folder">
    Keep all server files in one place:

    ```bash theme={null}
    mkdir ~/minecraft && cd ~/minecraft
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Download the server JAR">
    Mojang updates the server JAR regularly, so you need to grab the current download link yourself:

    1. Visit the [Minecraft server download page](https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/download/server) in your browser.
    2. Right-click the **minecraft\_server.X.X.X.jar** download button and copy the link address.
    3. Back on your VPS, use `wget` with that copied URL:

    ```bash theme={null}
    wget -O server.jar "PASTE_THE_COPIED_URL_HERE"
    ```

    For example, the command will look similar to:

    ```bash theme={null}
    wget -O server.jar "https://piston-data.mojang.com/v1/objects/<hash>/server.jar"
    ```

    where `<hash>` is the unique identifier for the version you downloaded.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Accept the EULA">
    Minecraft requires you to accept the End User License Agreement before the server will start:

    ```bash theme={null}
    echo "eula=true" > eula.txt
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start the server for the first time">
    Launch the server with modest memory limits suitable for a free-tier VPS. This first run generates the world and all default config files:

    ```bash theme={null}
    java -Xmx768M -Xms256M -jar server.jar nogui
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Stop the server">
    Once the world has finished generating and you see the `Done` message in the console, type `stop` and press Enter to shut it down cleanly before moving on to the next section.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Keep It Running with screen

Closing your SSH session normally kills any processes running in it. `screen` lets the server keep running in the background.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Install screen">
    ```bash theme={null}
    apt install screen -y
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start a named screen session">
    ```bash theme={null}
    screen -S minecraft
    ```

    Your terminal is now inside a persistent session named `minecraft`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Launch the server inside screen">
    ```bash theme={null}
    java -Xmx768M -Xms256M -jar server.jar nogui
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Detach from screen">
    Press **Ctrl + A**, then **D** to detach. The server continues running in the background and your SSH session is free.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Reattach later">
    When you need to access the server console again — to run commands, check logs, or stop the server — reattach with:

    ```bash theme={null}
    screen -r minecraft
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Configure the Server

All core server settings live in `~/minecraft/server.properties`. Open the file with a text editor and adjust the values to suit your needs:

| Property      | Description                                                             |
| ------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `max-players` | Maximum number of players allowed online at once.                       |
| `difficulty`  | Game difficulty: `peaceful`, `easy`, `normal`, or `hard`.               |
| `gamemode`    | Default game mode: `survival`, `creative`, `adventure`, or `spectator`. |
| `online-mode` | Set to `false` to allow cracked (non-premium) clients.                  |
| `motd`        | The message of the day shown in the server list.                        |

After editing `server.properties`, restart the server for your changes to take effect.

<Tip>
  For better performance on low-RAM machines, consider using **PaperMC** instead of the vanilla server JAR. PaperMC includes significant optimizations and runs noticeably smoother under 1 GB of RAM. Download it from [papermc.io](https://papermc.io).
</Tip>

<Note>
  Remember to open port **25565 TCP** in the [Networking panel](/panel/networking). Players connect to `YOUR_SERVER_IP:25565` — if the port is closed, they'll see a connection timeout.
</Note>