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How to Make a Spigot Minecraft Server

A complete, revision-aware guide to building Spigot with BuildTools, launching it safely, accepting the EULA, configuring server.properties, installing plugins and letting friends connect.
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To make a Spigot Minecraft server, choose the exact Minecraft: Java Edition revision, install its compatible Java runtime and Git, build Spigot locally with SpigotMC’s BuildTools, then run the generated jar from a separate server folder. The first launch creates eula.txt and configuration files; after you accept the EULA, you can tune server.properties, add compatible plugins, test locally with localhost, and configure your firewall or router for remote players.

What you need before installing Spigot

Spigot is a server implementation for Minecraft: Java Edition. It is built locally rather than obtained from a random precompiled-jar website. Spigot’s documentation describes it as a CraftBukkit fork with additional optimizations and features. Building it yourself gives you a jar produced for the revision you selected and avoids unknown third-party binaries.

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  • A computer that can stay on while players are connected.
  • Minecraft: Java Edition on every client that will connect.
  • A Java runtime compatible with the Minecraft revision you plan to run.
  • Git, which BuildTools uses while obtaining and preparing source code.
  • BuildTools.jar downloaded from an official Spigot distribution source.
  • A dedicated folder for the live server, separate from the folder used to build Spigot.
  • Permission to edit your computer’s firewall and, for internet players, your router’s port-forwarding rules.

Do not choose Java first and then pick a Minecraft version. Compatibility is revision-dependent, so decide the Minecraft version before installing Java. Check the current Spigot and official Minecraft server documentation for the runtime required by that revision.

1. Select the Minecraft revision and matching Java

Choose the revision first

Write down the exact Minecraft Java Edition revision you want to run, such as the version shown in your launcher or in the server documentation. The server jar, Java requirement, plugins and client all need to agree on that choice. A client on a different revision may be refused during login or behave unpredictably.

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Verify Java compatibility

Install the Java version listed as compatible for your selected revision. If several Java releases are supported, use a current supported release rather than mixing multiple versions casually. After installation, open a terminal or Command Prompt and check the runtime:

java -version

The output should identify the Java installation you intend BuildTools and the server to use. If the command is not found, add Java’s installation directory to your operating system’s PATH or invoke the full path to the Java executable. If multiple Java versions are installed, confirm which one is returned before building.

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2. Install Git and download BuildTools safely

Install Git

BuildTools lists Git and Java as its prerequisites. Install Git using your operating system’s normal package or installer, then verify it is available:

git --version

You do not need to create a Git project yourself. BuildTools uses Git internally while it downloads the vanilla server and the Bukkit, CraftBukkit and Spigot sources.

Use an uncomplicated build path

Create a short directory used only for the build, such as SpigotBuild in your home directory. Avoid paths containing unusual characters or deeply nested folders, because they make command-line troubleshooting harder. Download BuildTools.jar from Spigot’s official distribution and place it in that directory. Do not substitute a jar from an untrusted download site: a random or modified jar can be outdated or malicious.

3. Build the Spigot jar with BuildTools

Run the build command

Open Command Prompt, PowerShell or a terminal in the directory containing BuildTools.jar. Run the revision-specific command, replacing the placeholder with the version you selected:

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java -jar BuildTools.jar --rev <version>

For example, the shape of the command is java -jar BuildTools.jar --rev 1.x.y; use the actual revision supported by the current BuildTools release rather than copying an old example literally. The process downloads required sources, applies the build steps locally and writes a Spigot jar when it completes. It can take time and use substantial disk space while source files and temporary artifacts are created.

Read failures instead of guessing

  • Java is not found: fix the Java installation or PATH, then rerun the same command.
  • Git is not found: install Git or reopen the terminal after changing PATH.
  • The revision is rejected: check the spelling and confirm that the revision is supported by the BuildTools version you downloaded.
  • The build stops partway through: read the final error lines, correct the named prerequisite or connectivity problem, and rerun from the build folder.

When the build succeeds, identify the generated Spigot jar in the build directory. Keep the build directory intact if you expect to build another revision later, but do not use it as the live server’s working directory.

4. Create a dedicated server folder

Create a new folder used only by the running server, for example MySpigotServer. Copy the generated Spigot jar into it and rename the copy to spigot.jar if you want the startup scripts below to work unchanged. Spigot recommends keeping the runtime jar outside the BuildTools directory; this keeps worlds, logs, plugins and configuration separate from build artifacts.

Only files belonging to this server should go in the folder. A typical folder is initially almost empty:

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  • spigot.jar
  • Your startup script, such as start.bat or start.sh

The first successful launch will add the world folders, logs and configuration files automatically.

5. Create a repeatable startup script

Windows

In the server folder, create a text file named start.bat with the following contents:

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@echo off
java -Xms1G -Xmx1G -jar spigot.jar
pause

Double-click the file to launch the server. The -Xms value sets the initial Java heap and -Xmx sets the maximum heap. The documented example uses 1G for each; choose values your machine can sustain and leave enough memory for the operating system and other applications. Increasing the numbers does not automatically improve performance, and assigning nearly all physical memory can make the computer unstable.

Linux or macOS

Create start.sh in the same folder:

#!/bin/sh
java -Xms1G -Xmx1G -jar spigot.jar

Make it executable and run it from the server folder:

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chmod +x start.sh
./start.sh

Always launch from the server folder. Relative paths used by the server, including the plugins directory and world files, are resolved from the current working directory.

6. Launch once and accept the EULA correctly

  1. Run the startup script once and wait for it to stop or report that setup files were created.
  2. Open the new eula.txt file in the server folder.
  3. Read the Minecraft End User License Agreement. Change the agreement value only if you accept its terms, using eula=true instead of eula=false.
  4. Save the file and run the startup script again.

The server will not complete a normal startup while the file records that the EULA has not been accepted. Do not delete the file to bypass that check. The first launch also creates server.properties, logging files and one or more world directories. Keep the console window available: it shows startup progress, warnings and commands you can use for administration.

7. Configure the server in server.properties

Stop the server cleanly before editing configuration. In the console, use the stop command and wait until the process exits. Then open server.properties in a plain-text editor. It is the main file for gameplay and network settings.

Settings most new servers change

Setting What it controls How to use it safely
gamemode The default game mode for players who do not already have a saved mode. Choose the mode appropriate for your world and confirm the value format shown in the generated file.
difficulty The world’s difficulty. Set it before inviting players if the intended experience matters; existing gameplay can be affected when it changes.
white-list Whether only approved player names may join. Enable it for a private server, then add approved names from the console.
view-distance How far the server sends loaded world data to clients. Lower values can reduce workload; change gradually and observe the result rather than assuming a larger value is better.
server-port The TCP port on which the server listens. Keep the chosen value consistent in your firewall and router rules. Java servers commonly use 25565, but confirm the actual value in this file.

Property names and accepted values are generated for the server revision. Preserve the existing spelling and format, and restart the server after saving changes so they are loaded.

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Operator permissions and the whitelist

Give operator status only to accounts you trust. From the server console, use the documented operator command with the exact player name, and remove it when it is no longer needed. For a private world, enable the whitelist and add players through the console rather than sharing operator access. Treat operator status as administrative access: an operator can change the world and server settings.

8. Add plugins without destabilizing the server

A plugin is installed by placing its plugin jar in the server’s plugins directory. If the directory does not exist after the first successful start, stop the server, create a folder named exactly plugins, and place the jar inside it.

Compatibility checklist

  • Download plugins from a reputable, recognized Spigot plugin source rather than an unknown file mirror.
  • Check that the plugin explicitly supports your Minecraft and Spigot revision.
  • Read the plugin’s dependency and configuration instructions before starting.
  • Keep a backup of the world and configuration before introducing a new plugin.
  • Never run an untrusted jar simply because its filename looks familiar.

After adding, removing or replacing a plugin, perform a complete stop and start. Do not rely on a partial reload for plugins that alter commands, events or server internals; a full restart gives the plugin a clean initialization. Review the console for load errors and inspect the generated plugin configuration files before inviting players back.

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9. Test the server on the host computer

  1. Start Spigot and wait until the console indicates that the server has finished starting.
  2. Open Minecraft: Java Edition using the same revision as the server.
  3. Choose Multiplayer, add a server and enter localhost as the address.
  4. Connect, confirm that the world loads, and test the settings or plugins you changed.
  5. Stop the server with the console’s stop command when finished testing.

localhost tests the local process without involving your router or public internet address. If this connection fails, solve the local problem before attempting port forwarding: check that the script is still running, that the client and server revisions match, and that the console did not report a startup or plugin error.

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10. Let friends connect from outside your home network

Players on the same home network may be able to connect using the host computer’s local IP address. Players outside the network generally need a firewall rule and a router port-forwarding rule that direct the configured server port to the computer running Spigot. Official Minecraft documentation notes that firewall and port-forwarding changes may be necessary.

Network setup sequence

  1. Confirm the listening port in server.properties. The common Java default is 25565, but use the value actually configured.
  2. Allow Java or the selected TCP port through the host computer’s firewall, following your operating system’s interface.
  3. Assign the host computer a stable local address, such as a DHCP reservation, so the forwarding destination does not change.
  4. In the router’s port-forwarding page, forward the server’s TCP port to that local address. Use the router’s exact terminology; some models ask for internal and external ports separately.
  5. Have a friend test using your public address and port while the server is running. Do not publish your public address unnecessarily.

If local connections work but outside connections fail, inspect the firewall rule, forwarding destination, router restrictions and internet provider policy. Some networks use carrier-grade NAT or block inbound connections, in which case ordinary forwarding may not work. A managed host can avoid home-router administration, but it trades some control for simpler remote access.

Self-hosting versus managed hosting

Running Spigot at home gives you direct access to files, plugins, worlds and logs. It also makes you responsible for the computer, power, network reliability, updates, security and backups. A managed Minecraft host normally simplifies public access and may provide web-based backups and monitoring, but you must verify that it supports the exact Minecraft and Spigot revision and any plugins you need.

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Decision factor Self-hosting Managed hosting
Monthly cost Uses your existing hardware and connection, plus electricity and any replacement costs. Requires a recurring hosting fee.
File and plugin control Direct access to every server file and process. Depends on the provider’s panel, policies and supported jar versions.
Setup effort You install Java, build Spigot, configure the server and network, and maintain it. The provider handles much of the infrastructure; you still configure the game and plugins.
Uptime Limited by your computer, electricity and home internet connection. Usually designed for remote availability, subject to the provider’s service and maintenance.
Backups You must schedule, verify and store your own world backups. Backup tools may be included, but check retention and restoration procedures.
Capacity Limited by your hardware, Java configuration and upload bandwidth. Depends on the allocated plan and the provider’s limits for the selected revision.

Maintenance that prevents common disasters

Back up worlds and configuration

Stop the server before copying world folders to backup storage. Include server.properties, eula.txt, the plugins directory and each plugin’s configuration along with the world data. Keep more than one backup and store at least one copy away from the server computer. Periodically test that a backup can actually be restored to a separate directory.

Update deliberately

Before changing the Minecraft revision, check Spigot and every installed plugin for compatibility. Make a full backup, build the new revision in a separate BuildTools directory or preserve the old jar, then test the updated server with a copy of the world. Do not overwrite a working installation until you know the plugins load and the world opens correctly.

Protect administrative access

  • Use the whitelist for private servers.
  • Grant operator status only to trusted accounts.
  • Keep Java, the operating system and plugins updated from trustworthy sources.
  • Review console logs for repeated login failures, plugin exceptions or unexpected commands.
  • Do not expose remote console or file access more broadly than necessary.

Troubleshooting by symptom

BuildTools exits immediately

Run java -version and git --version in the same terminal, confirm that BuildTools.jar is in the current directory, and rerun the command with the exact revision syntax. A missing prerequisite or a typo in --rev is more likely than a problem with the server folder, which is not used until after the build.

The server says the EULA has not been accepted

Stop the process, open the eula.txt that belongs to this server folder, and verify that the agreement value is set only after you have accepted the terms. Save the file without changing its name or location, then start again.

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The jar starts and then closes

Launch the script from a terminal or keep the Windows pause line so the error remains visible. Read the final console message. Common causes include an incompatible Java runtime, a damaged or wrong-version jar, an invalid property value, or a plugin that fails during startup. Remove newly added plugins temporarily and test the unmodified server before changing several variables at once.

Players cannot connect locally

Confirm that the server process is still running and that the client uses the same Minecraft revision. Connect with localhost, not your public address, during the first test. Check the console for a bind error and verify that another application is not already using the configured port.

Local players connect but friends cannot

The Spigot process is probably working; investigate the path between the internet and your computer. Recheck the configured port, host firewall permission, router forwarding destination and the host computer’s local address. If your internet connection uses carrier-grade NAT or blocks inbound traffic, ask your provider about the limitation or use a managed server instead.

A plugin does not load

Read the startup log for the plugin name and missing dependency, then verify its documented Minecraft/Spigot compatibility. Remove the jar, restore the pre-plugin backup if necessary, and perform a full stop/start after each change. A plugin built for another revision may need an updated release or may not be usable on your server.

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Final launch checklist

  • The selected Minecraft Java Edition revision and Java runtime are compatible.
  • Git and BuildTools completed successfully, producing the intended Spigot jar.
  • The runtime jar is in a separate dedicated server folder.
  • The startup script uses sustainable -Xms and -Xmx values.
  • You read the EULA before changing eula=false to eula=true.
  • server.properties contains the desired gameplay, whitelist and port settings.
  • Plugins came from trustworthy sources and match the server revision.
  • A local localhost connection succeeds before remote testing.
  • Firewall and port-forwarding rules match the configured port, if outside players are required.
  • World and configuration backups exist and can be restored.

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