Launch your first Minecraft server with HostChicken

Launch your first Minecraft server with HostChicken

Spinning up your first Minecraft server doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. This guide walks you through the full journey—from creating your server and inviting friends, to managing performance and keeping your world safe. We’ll keep the steps simple and friendly so you can get online fast and focus on building, surviving, and playing together.

What you’ll need

• A free HostChicken account

• A stable internet connection

• Minecraft Java Edition installed on your device (Windows, macOS, Linux). Bedrock players can join if you enable a Java/Bedrock bridge (covered in Next Steps)

• Optional: A custom domain/subdomain for a memorable server address

Understanding how HostChicken works

HostChicken hosts your Minecraft world in the cloud so your friends can join even when your personal computer is off. To save resources, servers can automatically hibernate when nobody is online, and wake on demand. You can manage your server from your phone, tablet, or desktop—start/stop, change settings, install packs, and more.

Key ideas:

• Server type: Choose Vanilla for classic gameplay, Paper/Spigot for plugins, or Fabric/Forge for mods.

• Version: Match Minecraft versions across client and server to avoid “Incompatible mod/set” errors.

• Hibernation: Automatically pauses when idle; wakes up when someone joins or you manually start it.

Step 1: Create your server

1. Open the HostChicken app or web dashboard and sign in.

2. Go to Servers and select Create Server.

3. Enter a server name. Pick something your friends will recognize.

4. Choose a server type:

• Vanilla: The simplest choice if you just want to play quickly.

• Paper: Best general-purpose choice for performance + plugins.

• Spigot: Plugin-compatible with a huge ecosystem.

• Fabric: Lightweight mod loader with modern modpacks.

• Forge: Classic mod loader with massive mod support.

5. Pick a version (e.g., 1.20.x). If you’re unsure, use the latest stable version that your friends can run.

6. Press Create. Your server container will provision in a moment.

Tip: You can change types later, but switching between plugins and mods usually requires a clean world or careful migration.

Step 2: Start your server and join

1. From the server page, press Start.

2. Copy the server address shown (e.g., `yourname.mcfree.serv` or an assigned hostname/IP). If you set a custom domain/subdomain, that will appear here too.

3. Open Minecraft → Multiplayer → Add Server, paste the address, and connect.

4. The first boot can take a minute while the world generates—hang tight.

If the server is hibernating, the app will wake it as soon as you (or a friend) try connecting.

Step 3: Invite friends safely

There are three common patterns for play:

• Private with whitelist: Add friends’ usernames to the whitelist so only approved players can join.

• Friends-only with a hidden address: Share the address privately; don’t post it publicly.

• Public with protections: If you go public, add basic anti-grief safeguards and backups.

To enable whitelist:

1. In HostChicken, open your server’s Settings.

2. Turn on Whitelist.

3. Add each friend’s exact Minecraft username.

4. Restart to apply if prompted.

Step 4: Essential settings for smooth play

Before inviting everyone, take a minute to tune basics:

• View distance: 8–10 is good for small servers. Lower if you’re lagging.

• Simulation distance: 6–8 keeps mobs and farms reasonable.

• Max players: Start with the number you expect; adjust later.

• Hibernation: Keep it on, and set wake rules to “on player connect” for seamless starts.

• Backups: Enable automatic daily backups and keep at least 3–7 copies.

These settings help your server feel responsive even with modest resources.

Step 5: Save your world with backups

Backups are your safety net for experiments, big builds, or plugin/mod changes.

Recommended setup:

• Auto-backup daily (or twice daily for active servers).

• Keep 7 rolling backups.

• Take a manual backup before installing plugins/mods or changing major configs.

• Use a staging copy of your server to test big changes.

Restoring a backup usually takes a couple of minutes. You’ll pick the timestamp and confirm—HostChicken handles the rest.

Step 6: Pick gameplay extensions (plugins or mods)

Decide whether you want plugins (Paper/Spigot) or mods (Forge/Fabric):

• Plugins: Great for ranks, homes, economy, minigames, and lightweight QoL features.

• Mods: Add new blocks, mobs, dimensions, tech, magic, and huge overhauls.

If you just want “quality of life” features and strong performance, start with Paper and a few plugins:

• LuckPerms: Powerful permissions and ranks

• EssentialsX: Commands like `/home`, `/spawn`, `/tpa`

• Vault: Economy foundation many plugins rely on

If you want modded gameplay, pick Fabric or Forge and use a curated modpack that fits your PC and server memory profile.

Step 7: Keep the server healthy

Watch these metrics in the dashboard:

• TPS (ticks per second): Should hover near 20. If it dips often, reduce view/simulation distances or remove heavy plugins/mods.

• RAM usage: If constantly maxed, scale down content or consider increasing your plan.

• CPU spikes: Look for farms, chunk loaders, or misbehaving plugins.

Maintenance habits:

• Update intentionally: Don’t blindly update every plugin/mod the moment it releases. Read changelogs and back up first.

• Clean up worlds: Use a world border; trim unused chunks periodically.

• Profile performance: Temporarily disable plugins/mods to isolate lag sources.

Step 8: Share your world without sharing your IP

Custom domains and subdomains make it easy for friends to join and for you to change infrastructure later without updating everyone’s address. In HostChicken you can map `play.yourdomain.com` to your server. Configure a DNS record (usually an A or CNAME) as guided in the dashboard, then verify.

Step 9: Troubleshooting quick wins

• Can’t connect? Make sure the server is started and not hibernating. Try reconnecting after 30–60 seconds. Confirm you’re using the correct version.

• Version mismatch: Check the server type/version and your client version. For modded, make sure loaders (Forge/Fabric) match.

• “Missing mods” on join: Clients must have the same mod list and versions as the server (unless the mod is server-only).

• Lag spikes: Lower view/simulation distances, remove heavy plugins/mods, or spread players apart.

• Crash on startup: Remove the last plugin/mod you added; restore from a backup if needed.

Commands cheat sheet (plugins)

If you installed EssentialsX and LuckPerms on Paper/Spigot:

```

/sethome # Set your home

/home # Teleport to home

/spawn # Go to spawn

/tpa # Request teleport to a friend

/back # Return to your previous location

/msg # Private message a friend

```

For admins (be careful):

```

/op # Grant operator

/lp user parent set # Assign a rank with LuckPerms

```

Play with friends, safely

Start small, share the address only with friends you trust, and keep backups. Add rules to your server description to set expectations: no griefing, be kind, help each other, and have fun.

Next steps

• Compare server types (Vanilla vs Paper vs Spigot vs Fabric vs Forge) to choose your perfect fit.

• Install your first modpack or a handful of essential plugins.

• Let Bedrock players join your Java server using Geyser + Floodgate.

With HostChicken, your world is just a click away. Start it from your phone on the bus, invite your squad after school, and keep building together whenever inspiration strikes.