Create your server

Pick Paper or Fabric#

Choose Paper for a normal friends SMP with plugins, strong general performance and no required player installation. Choose Fabric when you specifically want Fabric mods or a Fabric modpack.

This decision is easier before the long-term world begins. Paper plugins and Fabric mods are different ecosystems.

Build Paper in Crafty#

1. 1
   In Crafty, open Servers and choose Create New Server.
2. 2
   Select Minecraft Java and the download/build path.
3. 3
   Choose Paper and the intended stable Minecraft version.
4. 4
   Name it clearly, such as Friends Paper.
5. 5
   Use port 25565 unless the container mapping or another server requires a different one.
6. 6
   Set a conservative memory range using the table below.
7. 7
   Create and start once.
8. 8
   Read and accept the Minecraft EULA only if you agree.
9. 9
   Start again and wait for Done in the console.
10. 10
    Join over the LAN before installing plugins.

Build Fabric in Crafty#

The exact labels can shift between Crafty releases. The current Crafty server-creation documentation ↗ confirms that Minecraft Java is selected in the creation view and that RAM and port are set near the bottom.

1. 1
   In Crafty, open Servers and choose Create New Server.
2. 2
   Select Minecraft Java.
3. 3
   Choose the download/build option and select Fabric.
4. 4
   Pick one Minecraft version, then a compatible stable Fabric Loader.
5. 5
   Name the server clearly, such as Friends Fabric 1.21.
6. 6
   Use port 25565 unless the ZimaOS app mapping requires another published port.
7. 7
   Set minimum and maximum memory. Leave room for ZimaOS, Crafty and disk cache.
8. 8
   Create the server and wait for downloads to finish.
9. 9
   Start once. When Crafty presents the Minecraft EULA, read it and accept only if you agree.
10. 10
    Start again and wait until the console says Done with a startup time.

These are starting points, not universal targets. More allocated RAM does not fix a slow CPU and can lengthen garbage-collection pauses.

Read the first startup#

The first run downloads or creates files, generates spawn chunks and may take longer. Done means the main server loop is ready. Use Crafty’s normal Stop control and wait for the process to exit before editing files or powering down.

Why Crafty?#

Crafty is not required to run Minecraft. It is recommended here because the console, files, schedules, users and backups stay in one interface. The official docs may move labels between releases; the important result is a clean server directory, correct port, sensible memory and a startup that reaches Done.

Before adding anything#

1. 1
   Stop the server normally and create a named backup.
2. 2
   Record Minecraft, Java and Paper/Fabric versions.
3. 3
   Join locally from a normal player account.
4. 4
   Confirm whitelist and online mode.
5. 5
   Add one plugin/mod at a time, reading the startup log after each change.