CraftHost GuideBuild my server

CraftHost technical handbook

Find the chapter for the job in front of you.

Start from zero, jump directly to a problem, or deepen an existing server. Every guide stays public—no builder or saved plan required.

03 CHAPTERS

Start Here

LEVEL 1

What is self-hosting?

Meet every moving part and choose Windows, ZimaOS, or Ubuntu.

5 min · EasyLEVEL 1

Can my PC run it?

Decide whether the PC, storage and network are a sensible fit.

8 min · EasyLEVEL 1

What should I use?

Answer five simple questions and get a recommended hosting stack.

4 min · Easy
01 CHAPTERS

Windows Setup

LEVEL 1

Run a server on Windows

Install Java, download Paper, create start.bat and test locally—no ZimaOS or Crafty required.

20 min · Easy
01 CHAPTERS

Ubuntu / Linux Setup

LEVEL 1

Run a server on Ubuntu

Install Ubuntu Server, Java and Paper, then run it safely as a service.

30 min · Careful
09 CHAPTERS

ZimaOS Setup

LEVEL 1

Back up before ZimaOS

Save anything important before the ZimaOS installation erases a drive.

15 min · CarefulLEVEL 1

Download ZimaOS

Get the current x86-64 installer from the official source.

5 min · EasyLEVEL 1

Flash the USB

Turn a normal USB stick into a bootable ZimaOS installer.

12 min · CarefulLEVEL 1

Boot from USB

Open the one-time boot menu and choose the UEFI USB entry.

10 min · CarefulLEVEL 1

Install ZimaOS

Choose the correct drive, install, then complete the first boot.

15 min · CarefulLEVEL 1

Open ZimaOS

Find the server on your network and create its first account.

8 min · EasyLEVEL 1

Install Crafty on ZimaOS

Add the optional web panel to the ZimaOS path.

12 min · EasyLEVEL 1

Match Java to Minecraft

Recognize the usual version errors without memorizing Java releases.

7 min · EasyLEVEL 1

Create a server in Crafty

Complete the Paper or Fabric server inside the ZimaOS Crafty panel.

18 min · Easy
05 CHAPTERS

Shared Setup

LEVEL 1

Reserve the local IP

Keep the Windows, ZimaOS, or Linux server at the same home-network address.

8 min · EasyLEVEL 1

Test on your LAN

Test Windows, ZimaOS, or Linux before adding public access.

6 min · EasyLEVEL 1

Let friends join with Playit

Connect Windows, ZimaOS, or Linux without changing the router.

10 min · EasyLEVEL 1

Secure the server

Whitelist players and protect the operating system and management tools.

8 min · EasyLEVEL 1

Back up and test a restore

Protect a Windows folder, Linux directory, or ZimaOS Crafty server.

10 min · Easy
02 CHAPTERS

Improve Your Server

LEVEL 2

Improve an existing server

Choose plugins, mods, crossplay, domains, Discord or performance work.

5 min · EasyLEVEL 2

Useful server settings

Change the important server.properties options safely.

10 min · Easy
02 CHAPTERS

Plugins

LEVEL 2

Plugins and plugin library

Understand plugins, dependencies and a carefully sourced starter library.

18 min · EasyLEVEL 2

Server starter packs

Pick a small, coherent stack instead of installing random extras.

12 min · Easy
04 CHAPTERS

Mods

LEVEL 2

Fabric mods

Know which mods belong on the server, client or both.

15 min · EasyLEVEL 2

Fabric API

Install the common library that many Fabric mods expect.

5 min · EasyLEVEL 2

Datapacks

Add world-level changes without confusing them with mods or plugins.

8 min · EasyLEVEL 2

Host a modpack

Use official server packs or build a legal, version-locked pack for friends.

20 min · Careful
01 CHAPTERS

Crossplay

LEVEL 2

Java + Bedrock crossplay

Use Geyser and optionally Floodgate so Bedrock friends can join.

20 min · Careful
01 CHAPTERS

Discord

LEVEL 2

Connect Minecraft to Discord

Bridge chat and alerts without leaking a bot token.

18 min · Careful
02 CHAPTERS

Performance

LEVEL 2

Performance and lag

Read TPS and MSPT, profile with spark, then fix the actual bottleneck.

18 min · EasyLEVEL 2

Pregenerate the world

Create chunks ahead of time to make exploration smoother.

10 min · Optional
01 CHAPTERS

Server Software

LEVEL 3

Choose server software

Compare Vanilla, Paper, Purpur, Fabric, NeoForge, Forge and Quilt.

16 min · Easy
01 CHAPTERS

Panels

LEVEL 3

Minecraft server panels

Compare Crafty, Pterodactyl, Pelican, AMP, PufferPanel and LinuxGSM.

16 min · Optional
02 CHAPTERS

Hosting Options

LEVEL 3

Choose a server OS

Compare ZimaOS, Ubuntu, Debian, Windows, Unraid, TrueNAS and Proxmox.

18 min · OptionalLEVEL 3

Free and paid hosting

Compare an old PC, free hosts, Oracle Cloud, shared hosting, VPS and dedicated servers.

18 min · Optional
03 CHAPTERS

Networking

LEVEL 3

Networking without the jargon

Understand LAN, WAN, NAT, CGNAT, ports, tunnels, DNS and firewalls.

16 min · EasyLEVEL 3

Public access options

Compare Playit, port forwarding, Tailscale and ZeroTier.

20 min · OptionalLEVEL 3

Use your own domain

Point play.example.com at the right address with A, AAAA, CNAME or SRV.

15 min · Optional
02 CHAPTERS

Advanced Hosting

LEVEL 4

Multiple servers and Velocity

Put a modern proxy in front of a lobby, survival and minigame network.

20 min · AdvancedLEVEL 4

Go further with a home server

Learn where Docker, VMs, Proxmox, NAS storage, UPS and monitoring fit.

20 min · Advanced
02 CHAPTERS

Keep It Running

LEVEL 2

Update safely

Change Minecraft, Java, plugins and mods one layer at a time.

12 min · CarefulLEVEL 2

Server management basics

Use Crafty’s controls, console, files, schedules, users and logs.

8 min · Easy
03 CHAPTERS

Help

LEVEL 1

Something broke?

Work from the symptom to the likely cause and first useful check.

As needed · EasyLEVEL 1

How to ask for help

Collect the details that let another person diagnose the problem.

5 min · EasyLEVEL 1

Frequently asked questions

Clear answers about cost, hardware, Bedrock, Wi-Fi and safety.

10 min · Easy