Starter guides

1. Join your server

1. Log in to the panel and open your server.
2. On the Console page, press Start. Wait until the console says Done. The first start takes longer while files are set up.
3. Copy the Address shown on the Console page. Keep the part after the colon: that's your server's port.
4. In Minecraft (Java Edition), go to Multiplayer, then Add Server, paste the address and press Done.
5. Share the same address with your friends.

Can't connect? Check the console is showing Done, that you copied the port too, and that your Minecraft version matches the server's.

2. Upload a world

1. Find your world. For a singleplayer world it's a folder inside .minecraft/saves. Zip that folder.
2. In the panel, Stop your server.
3. Make a backup on the Backups page if you want to keep the current world.
4. On the Files page, delete or rename the old world folder, then upload your zip and choose Unarchive on it.
5. Make sure the folder is named world, or change level-name in server.properties to match its name.
6. Start the server and join.

Big world? Upload it over SFTP instead. The login details are on the Settings page; use your panel password.

On Paper, Spigot and Purpur servers, the Nether and the End are separate folders: world_nether and world_the_end.

3. Install plugins

1. Plugins need a server type that supports them, like Paper, Spigot or Purpur. They don't work on a vanilla, Fabric or Forge server.
2. Download the plugin's .jar file from a site you trust, such as Hangar, Modrinth or SpigotMC. Check it supports your Minecraft version.
3. On the Files page, open the plugins folder and upload the .jar.
4. Restart the server. Type plugins in the console to check it loaded.

Most plugins create their own folder inside plugins for their settings. Edit those files on the Files page, then restart.

4. Install mods

1. Mods need a mod loader that matches them: Fabric, Forge or NeoForge. A Fabric mod won't run on Forge, and the other way round. Not sure which one your server runs? Ask us in a Discord ticket.
2. Download the server version of each mod for your exact Minecraft version. Many Fabric mods also need the Fabric API mod.
3. Stop the server. On the Files page, open the mods folder and upload the .jar files.
4. Start the server and watch the console for errors.
5. Players need the same mods and loader installed in their own game to join.

Leave out mods that only change your own screen, like minimaps or shader mods. Most of them are client-only and can stop a server from starting.

5. Move your server from another host

Migration is free on every plan. We'll move your existing server files to Shard Hosting.

1. On your old host, download a backup or a zip of your whole server folder.
2. Order your plan with us.
3. Open a ticket in our Discord or email [email protected]. Include your account email, tell us which server it's for and send the backup or a download link.
4. We'll move it over and tell you when it's ready.

Never post passwords or download links in public channels. Only share them in your ticket or by email.

Want to do it yourself? Follow the world guide above, and upload your plugins or mods folder the same way.