Sandbox · Lightweight
Host a Minecraft Java Server
Host Minecraft Java on your own Windows 10/11 or Linux computer. Swarm Hosts gives you a browser control panel to start, stop, monitor, and back up your server.
- Live stats
- Guided settings
- Backups
Available in Early Access
Hardware and runtime
What Minecraft Java needs
Minimum requirements are a starting point. World size, player count, content, and game settings can require more resources.
- CPU
- 2+ cores
- Memory
- 2 GiB minimum
- Player traffic
- TCP
- Backup coverage
- 1 saved data location
For a small vanilla server, start with:
Large view distance, simulation distance, modpacks, farms, and high player counts need more CPU and memory.
- 2 CPU cores
- 4 GiB Swarm Server memory
- enough free disk for the selected version, world, logs, and backups; and
- an assigned TCP port reachable directly or through an available relay.
Technical overview
Minecraft Java is the recommended first Swarm Hosts game. It uses TCP, stores worlds and configuration under /data, and supports managed settings, version changes, modpack profiles, imports, backups, player statistics, Server Actions, an optional BlueMap live web map, and bounded helper bots. Linux and Windows 10/11 hosts provide the same management features; Windows requires Docker Desktop in Linux-container mode.
Launch workflow
From host to running server
The compatibility review is advisory and read-only. It excludes passwords and does not create a server, reserve capacity, stage data, launch, or apply content. Changing a reviewed setting, version, or content selection clears the displayed result; run the review again. If a saved template, managed version, or content revision is no longer current, reload the current choices before reviewing again.
A compatible result describes the inputs checked by that review. Changes made elsewhere may not clear a result already displayed in your browser. Launch is a separate action that revalidates the current inputs, access, and host capacity, and launch or runtime checks can still fail.
The Swarm Server page shows the assigned player endpoint. Share that endpoint, not the container's default port.
- Choose Minecraft Java.
- Select a Swarm Host or Swarm Zone.
- Set CPU and memory limits.
- Choose the Minecraft version and server type offered by the launch form.
- Set the server name, server message, player limit, game mode, difficulty, and other Minecraft settings.
- Keep Authenticate with Mojang enabled for a normal public server.
- Optionally select Review compatibility to check the non-secret Minecraft settings, game image version, and selected managed content together.
- Read the Minecraft EULA before launching. The managed server starts with EULA acceptance enabled.
Networking
How players connect
In Minecraft Java:
For direct home hosting, forward the assigned TCP port to the Swarm Host. A managed relay, when offered, provides the public endpoint shown on the Swarm Server.
- choose Multiplayer
- choose Add Server or Direct Connection
- enter the host and assigned TCP port shown by Swarm Hosts; and
- join after the Swarm Server reports running and the Minecraft protocol check is healthy.
Managed shared relay when the game, host, and current relay path support it.
Game management tools
Manage your Minecraft Java server
Available tools depend on the game, server status, and your permissions. The game guide explains any setup needed for Server Actions.
- Broadcast message
- Give XP
- Teleport player
- Change game mode
- Heal and Feed
- Clear inventory
- Kick player, Ban player, and Pardon player
- Whitelist add and Whitelist remove; and
- Set weather, Set time, and Set difficulty.
- vanilla item search
- fresh server-reported modded item IDs when the Swarm Server provides them
- player username and UUID records
- optional structured display names, lore, enchantments, damage, and unbreakable flags on compatible versions;
- recent and favorite items stored in the browser
Mods & Content status
Mods and custom content
Mods & Content verifies and reconciles one exact Modrinth server-pack revision. BlueMap is a separate optional managed integration resolved to the latest compatible Modrinth release for the selected Minecraft version and loader.
When Server Tools → Mods & Content is available, a Minecraft content profile pins one exact supported Modrinth server-pack revision. Build or select a profile, review compatibility, save the revision, and apply it to the Swarm Server. Saving a profile alone does not change the running server.
For manual mod or plugin files:
Keep the Minecraft version, loader, server pack, and individual mods compatible. Do not mix files from a working profile with unrelated manual loader changes without a tested recovery point.
- create a backup
- stop the server
- upload the files to the location expected by the selected server type
- start the server
- inspect Activity & Logs; and
- join once with a real client.
Know before launch
Before you launch
- Host on Windows 10/11 or Linux with Docker Desktop in Linux-container mode on Windows, or Docker Engine or rootful Podman on Linux.
- Managed shared relay when the game, host, and current relay path support it.
Windows 10/11 + Linux
Ready to host Minecraft Java?
Connect the Windows or Linux computer you already own, then follow the game-specific launch path.