Download a prebuilt Mindustry dedicated-server release from the official Mindustry GitHub Releases page or the project’s itch.io page. Put the JAR in its own folder, install a compatible Java runtime, open a terminal in that folder, and run java -jar server-release.jar (substitute the actual filename). When the console is ready, type help, then use host <mapname> [mode] to start a map. Internet players also need a forwarded server port and firewall permission; LAN players normally do not.
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What you need before downloading
A Mindustry dedicated server is a headless Java process. It runs independently of the game client, so the machine hosting it can remain online while players connect from their own devices. You need a computer or virtual machine that can stay available, a compatible Java runtime, permission to create files in a server directory, and network access if people outside your home network will join.
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- Prebuilt release: best for most administrators. It avoids installing a development toolchain and compiling the project.
- Source build: useful when you need a development version or a release asset that is not available publicly. The current repository build instructions require JDK 17.
- Dedicated host: a separate Windows or Linux process that can remain online without the game client.
- LAN or Steam host: started from the game’s Host Multiplayer Game menu; it uses the host’s game session and stops when that game closes.
Which Java version does Mindustry require?
Downloaded server releases
A downloaded release must be run with a compatible Java runtime. The server documentation does not establish one universal runtime version for every historical release, so do not assume that the requirement for a source build applies unchanged to every prebuilt JAR. If the server exits immediately, check the release notes and the Java runtime installed on the host before changing other settings.
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Building the current source
If you compile the project yourself, the official repository states that JDK 17 is required and that other JDK versions will not work for that build workflow. A JDK includes the compiler and build tools needed for compilation; a runtime-only installation is not sufficient for this route.
Check Java from a terminal
Run this command before launching the server:
java -versionConfirm that the command is found and that the reported version is compatible with the release or build instructions you are following. If the shell says that java is not recognized or cannot be found, install Java and reopen the terminal so the updated PATH is loaded.
Download the server JAR
Option 1: official GitHub Releases
- Open the Mindustry project’s official GitHub Releases page.
- Select the release you want to run. Prefer a stable release unless you specifically need a preview or development build.
- Expand the release’s asset list and download the dedicated-server JAR. The asset is commonly named
server.jarorserver-release.jar. - Keep the downloaded filename unchanged until you have confirmed that the server starts. Windows may hide the
.jarextension, so a file displayed asserver-releasemay actually beserver-release.jar.
Option 2: the project’s itch.io page
- Open the official Mindustry page on itch.io.
- Choose the server download associated with the release you want.
- Save the JAR rather than opening it directly in a file manager. A dedicated folder makes the generated files easier to find and back up.
Do not rename a file to server.jar merely because an example uses that name. Either keep the supplied name or use the exact name in your launch command.
Install the server in its own folder
Create a directory used only for this server. Generated configuration, saves, logs, maps and other runtime data can then remain together instead of being mixed with downloads or another Mindustry installation.
Windows folder example
Create a folder such as C:MindustryServer and move the downloaded JAR into it. Avoid placing the server in a protected system directory where Windows may block writing configuration or save files.
Linux or macOS folder example
Create a directory in your home folder, for example ~/mindustry-server, and move the JAR there. The account running the process must have read and write permission for the directory.
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Recommended contents
- The downloaded server JAR.
- Configuration and save files created after first launch.
- Custom maps you intend to host.
- Log files and backups.
- Optional scripts or service files used to start and stop the process.
Run the JAR from the correct directory
Windows CMD or PowerShell
- Open File Explorer and browse to the folder containing the JAR.
- Click the address bar, type
cmd, and press Enter; or open PowerShell and usecdto change to the folder. - List the files and verify the exact JAR filename.
- Run the matching command:
java -jar server-release.jarIf the file is named server.jar, run java -jar server.jar instead. Quoting the path is necessary when a directory or filename contains spaces:
java -jar "C:GamesMindustry Serverserver-release.jar"Linux or macOS shell
- Open a terminal.
- Change to the server directory:
cd ~/mindustry-server- Confirm the file’s name:
ls- Launch it:
java -jar server-release.jarThe usual launch pattern is always java -jar [server].jar, with the bracketed part replaced by the actual downloaded filename. You do not normally need to make a JAR executable; Java opens it through the -jar option.
Use the server console to host a map
Wait for startup messages and the server console prompt. Type:
helpThe help command lists the commands supported by the version you are running. This is the safest reference because command names or arguments can differ between releases.
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Use the documented hosting form:
host <mapname> [mode]Replace <mapname> with the map name and optionally add the game mode. For example, if the map is named example-map, the command begins:
host example-mapIf a mode is required or desired, append it according to the syntax shown by that release’s help output. Do not include the angle brackets; they mark a value to replace. Map names containing spaces may require the quoting or naming convention shown by the console help.
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Automate startup hosting
The configuration reference includes a startCommands setting. You can use it for commands that should run automatically when the server starts, such as hosting a particular map. Confirm the exact command syntax in the running version’s help output before adding it, then test by restarting the process and checking the console for errors.
Make the server reachable
LAN play
Players on the same local network can generally connect using the host machine’s local address and configured server port. They do not normally need router port forwarding. The host firewall can still block connections, so allow the Java process or the selected server port when the operating system asks.
Internet play
Public hosting requires two separate network changes:
- Allow the server port through the host machine’s firewall.
- Forward that port on the router to the computer running the server.
The server configuration exposes a port setting. Use the same port in the server configuration, firewall rule and router forwarding rule. If those values do not match, the process may be running correctly while outside players receive a timeout.
Test from outside the home network
A connection made from the same LAN can succeed even when Internet forwarding is broken. Test with a player on a different network, such as a phone using mobile data, or ask a remote player to connect. Confirm that the server is running during the test and that the router forwards to the host’s current local address.
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An un-forwarded server is generally reachable only by clients on the same local network. Do not publish a home public IP unnecessarily. Use the project’s networking guidance and your network provider’s documentation when opening ports, and remove forwarding when the server is no longer needed.
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Important configuration controls
The official configuration reference names the following operational settings:
| Setting | Purpose | Practical use |
|---|---|---|
name |
Server display name | Give players a recognizable listing name. |
desc |
Server description | Explain the map, rules or schedule. |
port |
Network listening port | Match it with firewall and router rules for Internet play. |
autoUpdate |
Update behavior | Review it before enabling automatic changes on a production server. |
showConnectMessages |
Connection-message display | Control whether join and leave messages are shown. |
enableVotekick |
Voting to remove players | Enable only when that moderation model suits the community. |
startCommands |
Commands executed at startup | Automate map hosting or other supported startup actions. |
logging |
Logging behavior | Retain logs for troubleshooting and moderation review. |
strict |
Strictness or validation behavior | Check the version’s reference before changing it. |
antiSpam |
Spam protection | Useful for public servers that receive repeated messages or actions. |
| Interaction and message rate limits | Limits on repeated activity | Tune conservatively and verify the resulting behavior in a test session. |
Names and syntax should be checked against the configuration reference and in-console help output for the exact release. Keep a backup of working settings before experimenting.
Dedicated server versus Host Multiplayer Game
| Characteristic | Dedicated server | LAN/Steam host from the game |
|---|---|---|
| How it starts | Run a server JAR from a terminal or service. | Use the game’s Host Multiplayer Game menu. |
| Game client required | No client needs to remain open. | The host game session must remain open. |
| Availability | Can remain online independently. | Stops when the host closes the game. |
| Typical purpose | Persistent community, private or Internet server. | Small local or temporary session. |
| Resource use | Runs on the machine assigned to the server. | Consumes resources from the host game. |
The official wiki recommends a dedicated machine for a dedicated server. That can be a spare computer, a Linux or Windows virtual machine, or a managed server. Choose based on uptime, network access, backups and administrative control rather than an advertised player number; no authoritative capacity benchmark is established here.
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“Unable to access file server.jar”
This usually means the shell is in the wrong directory or the filename does not match. Change into the folder containing the JAR, list its contents, and copy the exact name into the command. Check whether Windows is hiding the extension.
“java” is not recognized
Java is missing from PATH, or the terminal was opened before installation. Install a compatible Java runtime, reopen CMD, PowerShell or the shell, and run java -version again.
The process exits immediately
- Read the first error in the console rather than launching repeatedly.
- Check that the Java version is compatible with the downloaded release.
- Confirm that the JAR is complete and was downloaded from an official release location.
- Verify that the process can write to its server directory.
- If you built from source, confirm that JDK 17 was used.
The map command fails
Type help and compare the required spelling, map name and optional mode. A map may not be installed in the location expected by that release, or the name may differ from the filename shown in your file manager.
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Local players connect but remote players cannot
The server itself is probably running. Check the configured port, host firewall, router forwarding destination and the host’s current local IP address. Test from an outside network, because a local connection does not verify public forwarding.
Players disconnect or the server becomes unstable
Inspect the console and retained logs, then monitor the machine while players join. Capacity depends on the map, activity, server version, Java process and hardware; there is no authoritative universal player-capacity figure to apply. Reduce unnecessary background workloads and address the first repeatable error before changing multiple settings at once.
Build the server from source
Most administrators should use a prebuilt release. A source build is appropriate when you need a development revision or want to compile the project yourself.
- Install JDK 17. The official repository says other JDK versions will not work for its current build workflow.
- Obtain the project source using the repository’s documented method.
- Follow the repository’s server-module build instructions and let the supplied Gradle workflow resolve its dependencies.
- After a successful build, find the artifact under
server/build/libs/server-release.jar. - Copy that JAR into a clean runtime directory and launch it with
java -jar server-release.jar.
Keep build files and runtime files separate. This makes it easier to replace a development build with a stable release and prevents generated build output from being mistaken for server data.
Operate the server safely
- Run the process under a dedicated operating-system account when practical, rather than an administrator account.
- Allow only the required port through the firewall.
- Back up maps, configuration and saves before upgrades or major configuration changes.
- Keep logs long enough to diagnose connection and moderation problems, while managing disk usage.
- Use
strict,antiSpam, votekick and rate-limit settings deliberately; test changes with trusted players before applying them to a public server. - Record the exact JAR filename, Java version and launch command so another administrator can recover the service.
- Stop the server cleanly from its console before moving files or replacing the JAR.
When a managed server is a better fit
A managed VPS or game-server host can be useful when you need an always-on public machine but do not want to maintain a home computer, router forwarding rule or operating-system service. Before purchasing, verify current Java support, which ports are available, backup options, console access, upgrade procedures, resource limits and pricing. Those details vary by provider and plan, so confirm them directly rather than assuming that a generic game-server package supports the Mindustry JAR.
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Quick setup checklist
- Choose the desired release from the official GitHub Releases page or itch.io page.
- Install a compatible Java runtime; use JDK 17 if building the current source.
- Create a dedicated server directory.
- Move the JAR into that directory and note its exact filename.
- Open CMD, PowerShell or a shell in the same directory.
- Run
java -version, thenjava -jar [server].jar. - Type
helpat the server console. - Run
host <mapname> [mode]using the syntax shown for your version. - For LAN play, connect using the host’s local address and configured port.
- For Internet play, allow the port through the firewall and forward the same port on the router.
- Test remotely and retain a backup of the working configuration.
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