Install an FTB server by downloading the Server Installer for the exact modpack and version from Feed The Beast’s official server-files page, placing it in a dedicated folder, and running it for your operating system. On Windows, open the downloaded .exe and then launch the generated run.bat. On macOS or Linux, make the installer executable and run it from a terminal. The installer downloads and extracts the required server files, and it can obtain the required Java version automatically.
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Do not rename the installer. Its filename identifies the selected pack and version; changing it makes the installer ask for IDs manually. Before anyone connects, make sure every player has the same FTB pack and version, allocate the memory specified by that pack, and complete the separate networking and security work that the file-creation guide does not cover.
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FTB’s server workflow is deliberately pack-specific. There is no single server archive that works for every release, so decide the exact pack and version first. Write down the version your players will use rather than selecting a different release simply because it is newer.
Choose one pack and one version
- Open the official FTB server-files page.
- Select the operating system that will run the server.
- Find the modpack your group wants to play.
- Select the exact release required by the players’ clients. FTB generally places the newest release at the top, but the latest release is not automatically the correct one for an existing world or modded client.
Release lists change. For example, the Direwolf20 1.21 server-files listing currently shows releases including 1.22.0 and 1.21.0. That is a reason to select from the live listing, not to copy a version number from an old tutorial.
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Check the pack’s requirements
Open the selected pack’s Requirements section before you download anything. FTB’s current server guide says most packs recommend at least 4–6 GB of RAM, while some require more. Treat that range as a starting point for the specific pack, not as a guarantee for every player count, world, or mod combination.
- A computer or virtual server with enough free memory for the pack and the operating system.
- Free disk space for the installer, downloaded libraries, mods, configuration files, logs, and the world. The official guide does not publish one universal storage figure.
- Permission to create files and execute programs in the chosen server directory.
- A Minecraft account for each person who will play. Authentication is required to join a game even though the pack can be installed without signing in first.
Download the official FTB Server Installer
Use the server-files page rather than assembling a server from individual mod, loader, and library downloads. FTB distributes a single installer that identifies the pack, downloads the necessary components, and extracts a ready-to-run server. The page provides a desktop download and a command suitable for server administration.
Keep the original filename
Save the installer exactly as downloaded. The filename contains the pack and version selection. FTB explicitly warns not to rename the file; if you do, the installer loses that filename-based selection and asks you to supply pack and version IDs manually. Renaming can therefore turn a straightforward installation into an avoidable identification problem.
Create a dedicated directory
Make a new folder solely for this server and put the installer in it. A path such as Minecraft/FTB-Direwolf20 on Windows or ~/servers/ftb-direwolf20 on macOS or Linux keeps worlds, logs, scripts, and configuration files together and prevents an installer from scattering files through a downloads folder. Use a directory where your account can create and modify files.
Install the server on Windows
The Windows path is graphical and does not require a separate Java installation for the documented workflow.
- Open the folder containing the downloaded FTB installer.
- Double-click the downloaded
.exe. Keep the filename unchanged. - Answer the installer prompts, confirming the selected pack and version when requested.
- Wait while the installer downloads dependencies and extracts the server. The first run can take longer than later starts because it is building the complete server directory.
- When extraction finishes, look in the same folder for the generated
run.batfile. - Start the server by opening
run.bat. Keep the server window available so you can read startup messages and any error text.
If run.bat is missing, the installation did not complete normally. Check the installer output and confirm that the account used to run it can write to the directory before trying again.
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Install the server on macOS or Linux
On Unix-like systems, run the installer from a terminal opened in the server directory. The installer filename shown below is intentionally generic: use the exact filename downloaded for your pack and version.
- Open Terminal.
- Change to the server folder, for example with
cd ~/servers/ftb-direwolf20. - Grant execute permission to the installer:
chmod +x serverinstaller_{id}_{versionid}. - Run the installer from that directory by entering
./serverinstaller_{id}_{versionid}. - Follow the prompts and wait for the download and extraction process to finish.
- Read the generated README and startup files in the folder, then use the generated launch script or command documented there to start the server.
The permission step matters because a downloaded file may not have its executable bit set. Running chmod changes that permission for the file; it does not select a different modpack.
Explicit selection for scripts and renamed files
The installer README documents an explicit form that is useful for automation or for a file whose original name is unavailable:
./serverinstaller -pack <pack_id> -version <version_id>Replace both values with the IDs used by the FTB server-files page. Explicit IDs remove ambiguity, but preserving the original filename is simpler for a one-time installation.
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Understand what the installer does
The Server Installer is more than a one-time archive extractor. It can download, update, and extract the files belonging to the selected pack and release. That is why the exact filename, directory, and version matter: they provide the context the installer needs.
Documented command-line flags
| Flag | Purpose | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
-dir |
Sets the directory in which the server files are installed. | Use when a script launches the installer from a different working directory. |
-auto |
Runs the installer in its automated mode. | Useful for repeatable or unattended setup; review the README for the exact prompts your release expects. |
-latest |
Selects the latest available release. | Use only when you deliberately want a moving target. For an existing world, specify the required version instead. |
-validate |
Requests validation of downloaded or installed files. | Useful when a download appears incomplete or corrupted. |
-threads |
Controls the number of download or processing threads. | Adjust only when you understand the limits of the machine and connection. |
-skip-modloader |
Skips the mod-loader portion of the normal installation. | An advanced exception, not the normal path for a new server. |
-no-java |
Prevents the installer from obtaining Java automatically. | Use only when Java is managed separately and you intentionally want the installer not to provide it. |
-pack and -version |
Provide explicit pack and release IDs. | Use for scripting or when the installer filename cannot identify the selection. |
Flags are documented in the installer’s README. Their availability and behavior belong to the installer version you downloaded, so read that README before building an unattended process.
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Java and memory: the two settings most likely to cause trouble
Java is normally handled by the installer
For the documented installation path, a separate Java setup is not required. The installer can download the Java version needed by the selected server. This is particularly useful when several modpacks require different Java versions.
The -no-java flag disables that automatic behavior. Do not use it just because Java is already installed; use it only when you have deliberately verified that the separately managed Java runtime is suitable for the selected pack and launch scripts.
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FTB’s published baseline is at least 4–6 GB for most packs, with some packs requiring more. The correct value depends on the pack, world size, simulation distance, number of players, and other server settings. Open the pack’s Requirements section and follow its recommendation before changing launch settings.
- Do not interpret 4 GB as a universal minimum for every FTB release.
- Do not allocate all of a machine’s memory to Minecraft; the operating system and other services need headroom.
- Increase memory only when the pack’s requirements and observed behavior justify it. More assigned RAM does not automatically cure a CPU bottleneck, a faulty mod, or a networking problem.
- Keep the generated launch files intact until the server has started successfully. If you edit a memory value, make one change at a time so a failure can be traced.
Make clients match the server
Each player should install the same modpack and version in the FTB App. The app supports pack installation, updates, and Java management. A client on a different release can fail the handshake, report missing or mismatched mods, or connect to a world with incompatible behavior.
- Tell players the exact pack name and version selected during server installation.
- Have each player install that exact release in the FTB App rather than selecting a similarly named pack.
- Ask players to let the app complete its update and Java steps before launching.
- Only then give them the server address and ask them to connect.
Installing the server does not require a Minecraft login. Playing does: FTB’s guide states that a Minecraft account is needed for authentication. Players should therefore be signed in before troubleshooting a connection that reaches the authentication stage.
Networking and ongoing administration are separate work
The FTB creation guide is focused on producing the modpack files. It does not provide a universal recipe for port forwarding, firewall rules, backups, permissions, or performance tuning. Those settings depend on the operating system, router, hosting environment, and security policy.
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After the server files exist, plan these operational tasks separately:
- Decide whether the server is private to a local network or reachable from the internet.
- Restrict inbound access with the firewall rules appropriate for the machine and network.
- If remote players must connect to a home machine, consult the router and internet provider documentation for port forwarding and public-address behavior.
- Choose a backup schedule for the world and configuration files, and test that a backup can actually be restored.
- Run the server under an account with only the permissions it needs instead of using an unrestricted administrator account.
- Record the pack version and any configuration changes before updating.
Because no single port, firewall rule set, backup policy, or performance target applies to every installation, avoid copying a rule intended for a different platform or network.
Self-hosting versus a managed FTB server
A home computer, rented virtual machine, or managed provider can all run an FTB pack. The right choice depends less on the installer and more on who will maintain the machine.
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| Factor | Self-hosted machine | Managed hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Setup effort | You download the installer, configure the operating system, and handle networking and security. | The provider supplies a control panel or support workflow, reducing initial administration. |
| Operating system | You choose and maintain Windows, macOS, Linux, or another supported environment. | The provider determines the available server image and management tools. |
| Memory | Limited by the machine you own or rent; compare its capacity with the pack’s Requirements section. | Choose a plan with enough memory for the selected pack; exact limits vary by provider and are not stated here. |
| Player count | You control the hardware, but you also diagnose lag and resource saturation. | Capacity depends on the plan, location, and provider infrastructure. |
| Files and control | Full access to worlds, scripts, logs, and configuration. | Access depends on the host’s panel, file tools, and terms. |
| Backups | You must design, store, and test them. | Some services offer backups, but retention and restore controls must be checked before purchase. |
| Location and latency | Determined by where your machine and internet connection are located. | Choose among the locations the provider offers and verify that a suitable region is available. |
| Cost | Uses existing hardware or the price of a virtual machine, electricity, and internet service. | Requires an ongoing hosting fee; current prices and terms vary and are not specified by the FTB installation guide. |
FTB’s guide names FTB Worlds as a quick-start server option and BisectHosting as a partner for readers who want help. Treat either as a hosted alternative rather than as a required part of the installer process, and verify current features, locations, backups, pack support, and service terms before committing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshoot by symptom
The installer asks for pack and version IDs
The most common reason is a renamed installer. Download it again or restore the original filename, place it in the intended server folder, and run it there. If you must use a differently named executable, use the documented -pack and -version options with the correct IDs.
The installer will not start on macOS or Linux
Open the terminal in the folder that contains the file and run chmod +x on the exact installer filename. Then invoke it with ./. Check that the filename, capitalization, and current directory are correct; Unix systems treat those details literally.
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Windows completes, but there is no server launch file
Review the installer output for an interrupted download, a write-permission error, or an antivirus action. Confirm that the installer was run in the dedicated folder and that the account can create files there. If the installer stops again, FTB directs users to its GitHub issue tracker for installer-specific reports.
The server starts but a player cannot join
First compare the player’s pack name and version with the server’s selection. Then confirm that the player is authenticated with a Minecraft account. If the client is correct and authentication succeeds, investigate the separate network, firewall, address, and server-operation settings; the creation guide does not prescribe those for every environment.
The FTB App cannot download the pack
Check whether firewall or antivirus software is blocking the app’s downloads. If the block is not the cause, FTB’s getting-started guidance points users to its Discord support community. The app’s failure to download a client pack is distinct from a server installer failure, so report the exact app error and pack version when asking for help.
The server is slow or runs out of memory
Compare the assigned memory with the selected pack’s Requirements section and the 4–6 GB baseline FTB publishes for most packs. Check whether the machine has enough unused memory for the operating system and other services. If the pack requires more, increase capacity deliberately rather than repeatedly restarting the same undersized process. Performance tuning beyond these installation checks requires pack- and hardware-specific diagnosis.
Updating without losing track of a world
Keep the server folder, world, configuration, and installer-related notes together. Before changing releases, record the current pack and version and make a tested backup of the world. Use the installer for the intended update, then make sure every client is moved to the same release before players return.
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Quick Recap
A quick completion checklist
- The server-files page was used to select the exact pack, version, and operating system.
- The official installer was downloaded and its filename was not changed.
- The installer ran inside a dedicated, writable server folder.
- Windows produced a
run.batfile, or macOS/Linux execution permission was granted and the terminal run completed. - The pack’s Requirements section was checked and memory was allocated accordingly; 4–6 GB is only the general recommendation for most packs.
- Every player installed the same pack and version in the FTB App.
- Players understand that a Minecraft account is needed to authenticate and play.
- Firewall, remote-access, permissions, backup, and maintenance plans were handled separately from file creation.
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