Install Pufferfish the same way you install a Paper-based Minecraft server: install the Java version required by your chosen Minecraft release, download the matching Pufferfish JAR, launch it from a dedicated directory with Java memory flags, accept the EULA, and then review the server configuration before opening the port to players.
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The important choice comes before the download. Pufferfish builds are tied to Minecraft versions, and Java requirements change with those versions. Match all three—Minecraft version, Pufferfish build, and Java runtime—before you start.
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What Pufferfish is and what you are installing
Pufferfish is a high-performance fork of Paper that aims to provide enterprise features and maximize performance. Its project describes it as a high-performance fork of Paper designed for large servers, and states that plugins compatible with Paper are compatible with Pufferfish. Those are project claims, not a guarantee of a particular player count or a fixed performance increase on every machine.
A Pufferfish installation consists of a Java runtime, one server JAR, a directory for the server’s generated files, and a network path for players to connect. The JAR creates the world, configuration files, logs, and plugin directory on its first successful launch. You do not install Pufferfish into the Minecraft launcher; you run it as a separate server process.
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Check the Minecraft, Pufferfish, and Java versions first
Choose the Minecraft version you intend to run, then download a Pufferfish build for that exact version. The Pufferfish download page captured for this guide lists builds for Minecraft 1.21.8, 1.20.4, 1.19.4, 1.18.2, and 1.17.1. That list can change, so verify the current build list when you download.
Java must be installed before the server can start. PaperMC’s current compatibility table lists Java 21 for Minecraft 1.20 through 1.21.11, and Java 25 for Minecraft 26.1 and newer. If you select a different Minecraft release, re-check the current compatibility table rather than assuming that the newest Java version is correct. Install a full JDK or full Java runtime, not a headless-only package; PaperMC warns that headless variants can omit dependencies needed by the server.
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| Minecraft release | Java guidance | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| 1.20 through 1.21.11 | Java 21 | Run java -version and confirm the active runtime is Java 21. |
| 26.1 and newer | Java 25 | Re-check the compatibility table and confirm Java 25 is the runtime used to launch the JAR. |
| Other versions, including older Pufferfish builds | Version-dependent | Use the Java requirement for that Minecraft release before downloading. |
The Java number shown by java -version is the one that matters. It is possible to have several Java versions installed and still launch the server with the wrong one, because your terminal’s PATH determines which executable the command finds.
Install and verify Java
Windows
- Install a full JDK or full Java runtime that matches the selected Minecraft version. Use the installer for your chosen OpenJDK distribution and allow it to configure the system PATH if that option is offered.
- Open a new PowerShell or Command Prompt window. A new window ensures that PATH changes from the installer are loaded.
- Run
java -version. Confirm that the major version matches the Pufferfish/Minecraft combination you selected.
macOS
- Install a full JDK or runtime for the required Java major version using the distribution’s macOS installer.
- Open a new Terminal window and run
java -version. - If the reported version is wrong, select the correct installed Java runtime or call its full executable path when starting Pufferfish. Do not proceed until the launch command uses the required major version.
Linux
- Install a full OpenJDK distribution for the required major version. PaperMC’s Linux example uses Amazon Corretto OpenJDK, while noting that other OpenJDK vendors are available.
- Open a new shell and run
java -version. - Check that the output reports the major version required by your Minecraft release and that the Java executable is available to the account that will run the server.
If java -version returns “command not found,” Java is not available on PATH for that shell. If it reports an older major version, fix the PATH or use the correct Java executable explicitly; downloading another copy of the Pufferfish JAR will not solve a Java mismatch.
Create a dedicated server directory
Use a new folder for each independent server or Minecraft version. Keeping the JAR, world folders, logs, configuration, and backups together makes upgrades and recovery much safer than placing the server in Downloads or in the client game’s directory.
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- Create a directory with a short, stable name such as
pufferfish-survival. - Download the Pufferfish JAR for your selected Minecraft version from the official Pufferfish download page. Keep the original filename so you can identify the build later.
- Move the JAR into the new directory.
- Open a terminal, PowerShell window, or Command Prompt with that directory as the current location. The launch command must run from the directory that contains the JAR unless you intentionally provide a full path.
Do not rename a JAR to a generic name unless you also update every startup script. A descriptive filename makes it easier to tell which Minecraft and Pufferfish build is installed, while a consistent script prevents accidental launches of an older file.
Launch Pufferfish for the first time
PaperMC’s documented launch pattern is:
java -Xms4G -Xmx4G -jar paper.jar --noguiUse the same pattern for Pufferfish and replace paper.jar with the actual Pufferfish filename. For example, if the downloaded file is named pufferfish-1.21.8.jar, the command is:
java -Xms4G -Xmx4G -jar pufferfish-1.21.8.jar --nogui-Xms sets the initial heap allocation and -Xmx sets the maximum heap allocation. The 4G values are PaperMC’s example, not a universal requirement. Adjust both values to the memory you can safely dedicate while leaving enough RAM for the operating system and any other services on the machine. --nogui disables the graphical interface and leaves the server in the terminal, which is the usual arrangement for a dedicated host.
- Change into the server directory.
- Run the command with the correct JAR filename and memory values.
- Watch the console for errors and wait for the server to finish generating its initial files.
- Stop the process if it tells you that the EULA must be accepted. Do not repeatedly restart it while the setup is incomplete.
Arguments belong after the JAR filename. That means memory options go before -jar, the JAR filename follows -jar, and --nogui follows the filename. A misplaced option can cause Java or the server to reject the command.
Accept the EULA and complete first-run setup
The first launch generates the server’s directory structure and an EULA file. Minecraft’s official server setup guidance treats Java installation and running the downloaded server JAR from its directory as prerequisites.
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- Read the Minecraft EULA before accepting it.
- Open the generated
eula.txtfile in the server directory. - Change the acceptance setting only if you agree to the EULA’s terms, then save the file.
- Run the same Pufferfish command again.
- Wait for a successful startup message before connecting a client.
On a successful second launch, Pufferfish creates or updates files such as server.properties, log files, world directories, and the plugin directory. Keep the console open during initial setup so you can see malformed settings, missing dependencies, or Java errors immediately.
Review server.properties before inviting players
Open server.properties with a plain-text editor after the first successful start. Paper documents defaults for the main connection and access settings below.
| Setting | Documented default or role | What to decide |
|---|---|---|
server-port |
25565 |
Keep the default or choose another unused TCP port. The same port must be allowed through the host firewall and, for remote players, the network router. |
online-mode |
true |
Keep online authentication enabled unless you have a specific, informed reason to change it. Changing it affects account authentication and server security. |
max-players |
20 |
Set the visible player limit for this server. This is a configuration cap, not a tested performance guarantee. |
server-ip |
Usually left empty | Bind to a specific local interface only when you understand the host’s network layout. An incorrect value can prevent the server from listening. |
| Simulation and view-distance settings | Generated defaults | Balance gameplay range against CPU and memory available on the machine. |
| Resource-pack settings | Optional | Configure a pack only when you have a reachable URL and want clients to use it. |
Save the file while the server is stopped, then start Pufferfish again. Many settings are read at startup; editing them while the process is running may not take effect until the next restart.
Make the server reachable on your network
Players on the same machine can usually connect through the local address and configured port. Players on another device need the host’s local firewall to permit the selected port. Players outside your home or office network also need the router to forward that port to the server machine, and the host may need a reachable public address.
- Confirm the server is listening on the port shown in
server.properties. - Allow that port through the operating system firewall for the Java process or the chosen port.
- If the server is behind a router, forward the same port to the machine’s local IP address.
- Give players the correct address and port. Do not expose administrative services or unrelated ports.
- Test from a different network, such as a mobile connection, rather than assuming that a local test proves outside access.
If local players can connect but remote players cannot, the problem is usually firewall, router forwarding, carrier-grade NAT, or an incorrect public address rather than the Pufferfish JAR itself.
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Install Paper-compatible plugins
Pufferfish’s project states that it provides complete compatibility for plugins compatible with Paper. In practice, download plugins that explicitly support your Minecraft/Paper-compatible version, place their JAR files in the server’s plugins directory, and restart the server. Read each plugin’s own requirements before enabling it.
- Stop Pufferfish cleanly from the console.
- Place the plugin JAR in
plugins; do not extract a plugin JAR unless its documentation specifically instructs you to do so. - Start the server and watch the console for dependency, version, or configuration errors.
- Review the plugin-generated configuration before granting permissions or opening the server to players.
Compatibility does not mean every plugin behaves identically on every build. Test important plugins on a copy of the world first, especially when changing Minecraft versions or moving from another server implementation.
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Stopping safely
Use the console command stop to shut down the server. Avoid killing the process or closing the terminal abruptly; a clean stop gives the server time to save world data and plugin state.
Starting consistently
Use a small script or documented command so that every launch uses the intended JAR, Java executable, memory values, and --nogui. Keep the script in the server directory and update it whenever you intentionally replace the JAR.
Backing up
Stop the server before making a complete backup of the world directories, server.properties, permission files, plugin configurations, and startup script. Keep at least one backup away from the server machine. Test that a backup can actually be restored before relying on it.
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Updating Pufferfish or changing Minecraft versions
Treat a Minecraft-version change as a migration, not as a simple file replacement. Confirm that a Pufferfish build exists for the target release, check the Java requirement again, and verify that your plugins support the new version.
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- Make a complete, dated backup of the server directory.
- Read the target Pufferfish build’s release notes and check plugin compatibility.
- Download the matching JAR and place it in the server directory, keeping the old JAR available for rollback.
- Update the startup command to reference the new filename and required Java version.
- Start the server and inspect the console for migration warnings or plugin failures.
- Test with operators and a copy of the world before inviting the full player community.
Never assume that a newer JAR can safely open a world and then be replaced by an older one. Your backup is the recovery path if the migration changes data or a plugin fails.
Troubleshoot common installation failures
| Symptom | Likely cause | Action |
|---|---|---|
java is not recognized or command not found |
Java is missing or not on PATH. | Install a full JDK/runtime, open a new terminal, and run java -version again. |
| Unsupported class-version or Java-version error | The selected Minecraft/Pufferfish build needs a different Java major version. | Check the current compatibility table, install that Java version, and ensure the launch command uses it. |
| Unable to access the JAR | The terminal is in the wrong directory or the filename does not match. | List the directory contents, change into the folder containing the JAR, and copy the exact filename into the command. |
| Server stops and asks for the EULA | The EULA has not been accepted. | Read the EULA, update eula.txt only if you agree, save it, and launch again. |
| Players cannot connect locally | Wrong port, an incorrect server-ip, or the process did not finish starting. |
Check the console, restore an appropriate server-ip value, and confirm the configured port. |
| Local connection works but remote connection fails | Firewall or router forwarding is missing, or the public address is unreachable. | Allow the configured port through the host firewall, forward it to the server machine, and test externally. |
| Plugin errors appear during startup | Plugin version, dependency, or Minecraft-version mismatch. | Stop the server, remove or update the plugin, and test it against the selected Pufferfish version. |
When managed hosting is a better fit
Self-hosting gives you control over Java, files, plugins, backups, and network settings, but you are also responsible for all of them. Managed Minecraft hosting is an alternative when you do not want to maintain the Java installation, server updates, backups, firewall, router configuration, and uptime. The Pufferfish project identifies Pufferfish Host as offering hosting and tailored performance support.
Before choosing a managed service, confirm that it offers the exact Minecraft/Pufferfish version you need, permits your required plugins, provides a backup and restore mechanism, exposes the settings you need, and explains how you can download your world if you leave. Hosting removes much of the operating work; it does not remove the need to choose compatible builds and maintain plugin configuration.
Pufferfish or Paper: how to decide
Pufferfish is built on Paper’s server workflow, so the installation steps and command conventions are familiar. A meaningful comparison should use your actual workload rather than an assumed percentage improvement; no independent, dated benchmark is established here.
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| Decision factor | Question to ask |
|---|---|
| Minecraft-version availability | Does each project provide a build for the exact release you intend to run? |
| Java requirement | Can your host install and use the required Java major version? |
| Plugin compatibility | Do your essential plugins support the selected Minecraft version and Paper-compatible server API? |
| Configuration | Have you tested the fork’s defaults and any fork-specific settings on a copy of the world? |
| Measured performance | What does profiling on your worlds, plugins, and player behavior show? Avoid applying an unverified percentage to every server. |
| Updates and maintenance | Can you monitor releases, update safely, and keep rollback backups? |
| Hosting model | Do you want to maintain the Java process and network, or pay a provider to operate those pieces? |
Final pre-launch checklist
- The Minecraft version, Pufferfish build, and Java major version match.
java -versionreports the runtime you intend to use.- The JAR is in a dedicated server directory.
- The startup command uses the exact JAR filename, suitable
-Xms/-Xmxvalues, and--nogui. - You have read and accepted the EULA before running the server for players.
server.propertieshas the intended port, authentication mode, player limit, and network settings.- The firewall and router permit the chosen port when remote access is required.
- Plugins have been tested for the selected Minecraft/Pufferfish version.
- A restorable backup exists before players create valuable progress.
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