The Tool Desk
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Where to download the official Mindustry server JAR
Use one of the two download locations named in Mindustry’s official server instructions: the project’s GitHub Releases page or its itch.io page. Choose the release that matches the version you want to run, then download the server artifact rather than a desktop game package when separate assets are listed. A live releases page is preferable to a copied version number because filenames and version numbers change as new releases are published.
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Open the official Mindustry repository’s Releases section and select a published release. Expand its assets and look for the dedicated server JAR. The file is commonly called server.jar or server-release.jar, but the exact filename can change. Save the file instead of opening it directly in a file manager; you will need to run it from a terminal.
itch.io
The official itch.io project page is the other download source identified by Mindustry’s documentation. Select the server download associated with the desired release. If both client and server downloads are shown, choose the server package. Keep the downloaded filename exactly as provided until you have verified that your launch command works.
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Why the filename matters
Java’s launch command must match the actual file in the directory. Windows may hide the .jar extension, so a file displayed as server-release in Explorer may really be server-release.jar. Do not add a second extension accidentally, such as server-release.jar.jar. If the release uses a different name, substitute that complete name in the command.
Java requirements: running a release versus building the source
A downloaded release needs a Java runtime compatible with that build. Install Java before launching the server and verify what the shell sees with:
java -versionThe official repository gives a stricter requirement for compiling the current source: JDK 17 must be installed, and other JDK versions will not work for that build workflow. That statement applies to the repository’s build process; it is not a claim that every prebuilt server release requires JDK 17. For a downloaded JAR, use the runtime expected by that release and consult its release notes if it does not start.
Runtime or JDK?
A runtime is sufficient to execute a prebuilt JAR. A full JDK includes the compiler and build tools needed when you clone the source and produce your own server artifact. If you plan to build from source, install JDK 17 rather than relying on a runtime-only package, then confirm the version with java -version before running the build.
When Java is not found
If the terminal reports that java is not recognized, the runtime is either not installed or its executable is not on your PATH. Install a supported Java distribution, reopen the terminal so environment changes are loaded, and run java -version again. On systems with several Java installations, make sure the command resolves to the installation you intend to use.
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Install and launch a dedicated server
The following procedure works on Windows, Linux, and macOS. Replace the example filename with the name of the JAR you downloaded.
- Create a dedicated directory. Make a new folder such as
mindustry-serverin a location where the account running the server can write files. Keeping the JAR, generated configuration, saves, maps, and logs together makes backups and upgrades easier. - Move the JAR into that folder. Do not leave it in a temporary downloads directory if you intend to run it as a persistent service.
- Open a shell in the folder. On Windows, open Command Prompt or PowerShell and change to the directory with
cd. You can also use Explorer’s address bar to open a terminal at the current location. On Linux or macOS, open Terminal and usecd /path/to/mindustry-server. - Confirm the file is present. Use
diron Windows orlson Linux and macOS. Check the spelling and extension before launching. - Start the process. Run the command below, replacing the filename as needed.
java -jar server-release.jarIf your file is named server.jar, run java -jar server.jar instead. The server writes its startup output to the same console. Keep that window open while the server is running; closing it normally ends the process unless you have configured a separate service or terminal session.
Diagnose an “Unable to access file” error
An error such as “Unable to access file server.jar” usually means the shell is in a different directory from the JAR, or the command uses the wrong filename. List the directory contents, change into the folder that actually contains the file, and copy the exact name into the command. If the path contains spaces, change directories first rather than relying on an unquoted long path.
Use the server console and host a map
Once startup completes, the process accepts commands in its console. Type:
helpThis prints the commands available in the specific server version you are running. Use that output as the authoritative syntax reference because commands and arguments can evolve between releases.
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Start a game
The official server instructions use this pattern:
host <mapname> [mode]Replace <mapname> with the map identifier and add a mode when the command supports or requires one. For example, the structure is host example-map survival; use a map and mode that exist in your installation rather than copying an identifier that is not installed. If you are unsure which names are accepted, consult help and the server’s map list or autocomplete, if your release provides it.
Keep command syntax version-specific
Do not assume a command copied from an older guide still has identical arguments. Run help after every upgrade and update any startup commands or scripts that depend on the old syntax. This is especially important for automated hosting, where a typo can leave the process running without actually starting a map.
Make the server reachable
LAN play
Clients on the same local network can generally connect to the machine’s local address once the server is running and the host firewall allows the process or port. This is the simplest arrangement for a household or office session because it does not require exposing the server to the public Internet.
Internet play
Public players need a route from the Internet to the server machine. Configure both layers:
- Host firewall: create an inbound rule that permits the server’s configured port for the Java process or the relevant transport.
- Router forwarding: forward the chosen external port to the internal address of the machine running Mindustry.
- Server configuration: ensure the Mindustry
portsetting matches the port you opened. - Address and testing: give players the correct public address and test from a network outside your home LAN; a test from inside the same router can produce misleading results.
The official documentation specifically calls out checking port-forwarding configuration. If the server works for local clients but not for remote ones, verify the machine’s local address has not changed, the firewall rule targets the correct profile, and the router forwards to the same address. Some Internet providers place customers behind carrier-grade NAT, in which case ordinary inbound forwarding may not work; consult the provider’s documentation before changing router settings.
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Do not expose more than necessary
Opening a port makes the service reachable from untrusted networks. Use a dedicated operating-system account where practical, keep Java and the server release current, and avoid publishing a home public IP in places where it is not needed. Share connection details only with intended players and close the forwarding rule when the server is no longer required.
Dedicated server versus LAN or Steam hosting
Mindustry supports both a standalone dedicated process and hosting from the game client. They solve different problems.
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|---|---|---|
| Where it runs | A separate headless process on a Linux or Windows machine | Inside the host’s running game client |
| Client required while players connect | No; the server can run without the game client | Yes; the host keeps the game open |
| Availability | Can remain online independently of a player’s session | Stops when the host closes the game |
| Best fit | Persistent communities, remote access, or an always-on machine | Small local sessions and quick temporary games |
| Resource ownership | Uses the dedicated machine’s CPU, memory, storage, and network | Consumes resources on the host gaming machine |
| Administration | Console commands and server configuration files | Controls exposed by the in-game Host Multiplayer Game menu |
The official wiki recommends a dedicated machine when the goal is a persistent server. Client hosting is convenient for a short session, but it is not an independent service: ending the game ends hosting.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Configure the server deliberately
The official configuration reference names the following controls. Exact file locations and accepted values can vary by release, so confirm syntax in the version’s documentation and with the console’s help output.
| Setting | Purpose | Operational note |
|---|---|---|
name |
Public display name | Choose a recognizable name so players can distinguish the server from others. |
desc |
Server description | State the community, rules, or schedule players should know before joining. |
port |
Network port used by the server | Keep it aligned with the firewall rule and router forwarding when hosting publicly. |
autoUpdate |
Automatic update behavior | Decide whether unattended updates fit your compatibility and maintenance plan. |
showConnectMessages |
Connection-message visibility | Useful for monitoring joins and departures in the console. |
enableVotekick |
Whether players can initiate vote kicks | Enable only when the community’s moderation policy supports it. |
startCommands |
Commands executed at startup | Can automate map hosting; verify command spelling against the current release. |
logging |
Logging behavior | Keep enough history to diagnose crashes, joins, and configuration errors. |
strict |
Strictness controls | Review the release’s explanation before enabling it on an established server. |
antiSpam |
Anti-spam behavior | Balance protection against accidentally blocking legitimate chat. |
| Interaction and message rate limits | Limits on repeated actions or messages | Use conservative values first and adjust after observing real player behavior. |
Automatically host a map at startup
Use startCommands when the server should execute commands as soon as it starts, such as hosting a map without manual console input. Put the map-hosting command in the setting using the syntax accepted by your release. Test it interactively first with host <mapname> [mode]; then copy the confirmed command into the startup configuration. A malformed startup command can make the process appear healthy while leaving no active game, so inspect the console after every restart.
Build the server from source
Most administrators should use a prebuilt release. Building is useful when you need a source change, a development build, or an artifact that is not available as a published download.
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- Install JDK 17 and verify that the shell uses it.
- Obtain the official Mindustry source repository and follow its current build instructions.
- Run the repository’s documented Gradle task for the server module.
- After a successful build, find the artifact at
server/build/libs/server-release.jar. - Copy that JAR into a clean server directory and launch it with
java -jar server-release.jar.
The repository explicitly states that JDK 17 is required for this workflow and that other JDK versions will not work. A source build also introduces a local Gradle and SDK toolchain, so it requires more maintenance than downloading a release. Keep the source revision and build output recorded so you can reproduce the server later.
Troubleshoot common failures
The JAR will not start
- Run
java -versionand confirm Java is installed and on PATH. - Check that you are in the directory containing the JAR with
dirorls. - Match the command to the exact filename, including capitalization and extension.
- If the release reports an unsupported class version or similar compatibility error, install the Java version expected by that release rather than changing the command.
The server starts but players cannot connect
- Test from the same LAN first to separate game configuration from Internet routing.
- Confirm the server’s
portvalue and open the identical port in the host firewall. - Check that the router forwards to the machine’s current internal address.
- Test from an external network and account for carrier-grade NAT or provider restrictions.
The map does not load
- Run
helpto confirm the currenthostsyntax. - Use the exact map identifier and a valid mode, if one is required.
- Review the console for a rejected command or a missing map asset.
- If startup automation is involved, run the command manually first, then correct
startCommands.
The server stops after closing a window
A dedicated server is still a foreground process unless you place it under an operating-system service, a terminal multiplexer, or another process supervisor. Closing the terminal normally terminates it. Choose a supervised, restartable arrangement for an always-on installation and test that it starts again after a reboot.
Backups, upgrades, and ongoing administration
Back up the server directory, including saves, maps, configuration, and logs, before upgrading the JAR or changing settings. Keep a copy of the previously working release so you can roll back if a new version changes command syntax or introduces incompatibility. When upgrading, stop the process cleanly, replace the JAR, review the release notes, start it again, and inspect the console for warnings.
Monitor the target machine rather than relying on an assumed player limit. No authoritative capacity figure is established for Mindustry servers, and actual limits depend on the map, game activity, plugins or modifications, Java process behavior, and the host’s CPU, memory, storage, and network. Watch resource usage during real sessions and increase capacity only when measurements show a bottleneck.
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If your home network cannot accept inbound connections, you need continuous uptime, or you do not want to maintain router rules and a physical machine, a managed VPS or dedicated game-server service can host the same JAR. Before paying, verify that the service supports the Java version required by your release, permits the Mindustry port, provides backups, exposes console access, and states its restart and update behavior. Those checks matter more than a generic CPU or storage headline because an inaccessible port or incompatible Java runtime prevents the server from working.
Quick Recap
Practical launch checklist
- Download the server artifact from the official GitHub Releases page or itch.io page.
- Place it in a dedicated, writable directory.
- Install and verify a compatible Java runtime; use JDK 17 when building from source.
- Run
java -jar [server].jarfrom the directory containing the file. - Type
helpand confirm the commands for your release. - Start a game with
host <mapname> [mode]. - For LAN play, allow local connections through the firewall.
- For Internet play, align the server
port, firewall rule, and router forwarding. - Back up saves and configuration before upgrades.
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