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Launch a Minecraft: Java Edition dedicated server with java [JVM options] -jar server.jar [server options]. Put heap and garbage-collection settings before -jar; put Minecraft options such as --nogui, --port, and --world after the JAR filename. For a headless server, the usual command is java -jar server.jar --nogui.
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This guide covers the Java Edition server JAR and scripts run from its server directory. Bedrock Dedicated Server and Minecraft Launcher client flags use different interfaces and are not covered.
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The command line has two argument layers. Java reads options that appear before -jar; the Minecraft server reads options that appear after the JAR filename. Keeping those layers separate prevents the most common startup errors.
| Layer | Position | Examples | What it controls |
|---|---|---|---|
| JVM | Before -jar |
-Xms2G, -Xmx4G, garbage-collection and Java system-property options |
The Java process, including heap size and runtime behavior |
| Minecraft server | After server.jar |
--nogui, --port 25566, --world survival |
The server’s interface, world selection, network choice and diagnostics |
A valid command therefore looks like java -Xms2G -Xmx4G -jar server.jar --nogui. Moving -Xmx after the JAR does not turn it into a server setting; Java has already handed argument parsing to the server at that point. The server reference also requires JVM system properties to appear before -jar.
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First launch and file initialization
Download the Java Edition server JAR and use a compatible Java runtime. Run the command from the directory that contains the JAR. If the filename contains spaces, quote it according to your shell’s normal rules.
- Check the available flags. Run
java -jar server.jar --help. This prints the options recognized by that exact server build without starting the game server. - Initialize configuration files when provisioning. Run
java -jar server.jar --initSettings. The option creates or initializesserver.propertiesandeula.txtwithout starting the game server. - Review the generated files. Edit
eula.txtas required by the EULA and set persistent values inserver.properties. - Start the server. Use a command such as
java -Xms2G -Xmx2G -jar server.jar --nogui, adjusting the heap and server flags for the machine and release.
The official setup guidance also shows the basic form java -jar “your jar name”.jar from the server directory. Use the actual filename downloaded for your release rather than assuming every build is called server.jar.
Core startup flags
The following options are the most useful for shell scripts, batch files and service definitions. Run --help on the installed JAR before relying on a flag: options can differ between releases and between server implementations.
| Flag | Purpose | Scope and cautions |
|---|---|---|
--help |
Prints the server’s available command-line options. | Discovery only; it does not start the game server. |
--nogui |
Disables the graphical server window. | Preferred for headless machines, remote hosts and service managers. Mojang setup examples sometimes show the legacy nogui spelling; current references describe the double-hyphen form. |
--port <number> |
Selects the listening port for that launch. | A run-time override. It does not by itself rewrite persistent properties or router rules. |
--world <name> |
Selects the world directory. | Useful when one server directory contains several world saves. |
--universe <path> |
Selects the save root used by the server. | Changes where the server looks for world directories; use an explicit path in automated deployments. |
--initSettings |
Creates or initializes server.properties and eula.txt. |
Provisioning action; it exits without starting gameplay. |
--demo |
Enables demo behavior. | Applies to that server launch and the worlds it serves. |
--bonusChest |
Enables a bonus chest when a world is generated for the first time. | Only matters during first generation of a world; it does not add a chest to an already-created world. |
--nojline |
Disables JLine console handling. | Documented in Paper’s command-line reference. Verify availability when using a different implementation or a vanilla build. |
--jfrProfile |
Starts Java Flight Recorder profiling according to the server reference. | Use as a diagnostic option, not a routine performance switch, and confirm support in the exact server version. |
Running without the graphical window
For a server on a terminal-only Linux host, container, virtual machine or Windows service account, append --nogui. The server still accepts console commands through its process input and writes its normal logs; only the graphical server window is suppressed. Mojang’s download guidance states that omitting the “nogui” part starts the graphical interface, so leaving the option out is intentional when a local window is wanted.
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Selecting a world, save root or port
Use --world survival to select a directory named survival under the active save root. Use --universe /srv/minecraft when the save root itself must be relocated. To choose a different port for one invocation, add --port 25566. These flags are especially useful when a script starts different worlds or test instances from the same installation.
JVM memory options and server options are different
-Xms sets the JVM’s initial heap and -Xmx sets its maximum heap. They affect Java memory allocation, not a Minecraft property. For example:
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Server flags follow the JAR name:
java -Xmx4G -jar server.jar --world survival --port 25566 --noguiIf a script mixes the two layers, put all Java options first, then -jar, then the JAR path, then server options. When a launch fails, inspect this ordering before changing world files or permissions.
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Command-line choices versus server.properties
A command-line flag is a choice for a particular process start. server.properties is persistent configuration read by the server. Keep values that should survive restarts in the properties file, and use flags for per-run overrides, provisioning and diagnostics.
| Need | Use | Operational note |
|---|---|---|
| Change the port for one run | --port <number> |
Update firewall, proxy and forwarding rules to match that run. |
| Keep network settings across restarts | server.properties |
The official help documentation identifies query.port as the port to forward and gives a default of 25565. Check the file and your network design rather than assuming a temporary command-line value is permanent. |
| Choose game rules and world-generation behavior | server.properties |
Persistent settings include gamemode, spawn-protection, allow-nether, difficulty, pvp, max-players, level-seed and motd. |
| Run a different world or save root | --world or --universe |
Useful for a temporary test world without replacing the main properties file. |
Changing --port does not automatically configure a router or firewall. Forward the port used by the running instance, and document any distinction between the game connection and query settings in your network configuration.
World-maintenance and data-transformation flags
Maintenance options can rewrite world data, increase startup time or remove caches. Treat them as planned operations with a tested backup, a maintenance window and a rollback path.
--forceUpgrade
This option optimizes world data by upgrading level data to a newer format. After optimization, the world may no longer be compatible with older level formats. The relevant optimization path also upgrades entities and points-of-interest data. Stop the server, make a restorable copy of the entire world and verify that the target release is the one you intend to run before starting the upgrade.
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recreateRegionFiles
Mojang’s 24w04a release notes introduce recreateRegionFiles. It rewrites chunks independently of whether they were upgraded and can regenerate region files after changing the region-file-compression property. Because it rewrites region files, apply it only when that conversion is required, not as a general startup optimization.
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--eraseCache
The server reference describes --eraseCache as erasing cached light and biome data. The server must regenerate that data, so the next startup can take longer. Preserve a backup and allow the regeneration to finish before judging the result.
Safe maintenance sequence
- Announce downtime and stop the running server cleanly.
- Copy the world directories,
server.propertiesand the current JAR to storage from which you can restore. - Record the exact release, Java version and command used.
- Run one maintenance operation at a time, using
--helpand the matching release documentation to confirm syntax. - Start the server, watch the log for completion or errors, and test player access and world loading.
- Keep the backup until the upgraded world has been validated; do not attempt to downgrade by simply replacing the JAR if the format is no longer compatible.
Ready-to-use startup examples
Headless two-gigabyte instance
java -Xms2G -Xmx2G -jar server.jar --noguiThis places both heap settings before the JAR and suppresses the graphical window.
Named world on a non-default port
java -Xmx4G -jar server.jar --world survival --port 25566 --noguiThe world and port choices apply to this launch. Configure corresponding firewall, forwarding and service settings outside the command if the instance is intended to be reachable.
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Provision files before editing them
java -jar server.jar --initSettingsAfter it exits, edit eula.txt and server.properties, then start the server with the desired JVM and server options.
Troubleshooting startup scripts
The server rejects -Xmx or ignores a memory setting
Move the option before -jar. The correct pattern is java -Xmx4G -jar server.jar --nogui, not a command with -Xmx4G after the JAR filename.
The graphical window appears on a remote host
Add --nogui. If the script uses the legacy bare nogui token, replace it with the current flag form supported by the installed build and confirm the result with --help.
Players cannot connect after changing the port
Confirm the process is listening on the port selected by --port, then align the host firewall, router forwarding, proxy and any service definition. A one-run override does not rewrite persistent configuration.
The intended world does not load
Check the spelling and relative location supplied to --world, and check whether --universe points to the save root that actually contains that directory. Avoid running two processes against the same world.
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A flag works on one server build but not another
Run java -jar server.jar --help on the exact JAR in use. Options such as --nojline may be implementation-specific, while diagnostic and maintenance flags can change between releases. Use the matching release notes before deploying a script change.
Quick Recap
Startup checklist for production scripts
- Use the Java runtime compatible with the downloaded Java Edition server release.
- Run from a known server directory and use the exact JAR filename.
- Place every JVM option before
-jarand every server option after the JAR. - Use
--noguifor headless or service-managed hosts. - Use
--helpto verify flags before scripting them. - Keep persistent gameplay and network values in
server.properties; treat command-line values as launch-specific unless documented otherwise. - Back up worlds before
--forceUpgrade,recreateRegionFilesor--eraseCache. - Record the command, Java version and server release so a working launch can be reproduced or rolled back.
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