Creating a Launch Script

Note

These instructions apply only if you plan to run your Minecraft server on your own machine. Most shared Minecraft hosts will create a launch script for you.

Writing a Launch Script

First, open a text editor such as Atom, Sublime Text, or Notepad. Write (or paste) a launch script for your server. Examples of simple launch scripts for Windows, macOS, and Linux have been provided below. Keep the RAM limitations of your machine in mind.

Note

The following examples are generic. For a Forge server using Sponge (coremod), change forge-1.12.2-XYZ-universal.jar to whatever your Forge version in the server directory is named. To launch a SpongeVanilla server, change forge-1.12.2-XYZ-universal.jar to the name of the SpongeVanilla.jar file.

Windows

java -Xms1G -Xmx2G -jar forge-1.12.2-XYZ-universal.jar
pause

Save your Windows launch script as launch.bat.

Warning

Launching your server in a Command Prompt or PowerShell environment can lead to the server hanging due to the Quick Edit Mode of these shells. This mode freezes the process when you highlight something or click inside the console window. During this time, messages captured in the log will state that the server skipped many seconds or minutes worth of ticks. You can prevent this from occurring by not highlighting any text on the screen and not clicking inside the window, or by disabling the Quick Edit Mode in the Properties dialogue.

macOS

#!/bin/bash
cd "$(dirname "$0")"
java -Xms1G -Xmx2G -jar forge-1.12.2-XYZ-universal.jar

Save your Mac launch script as launch.command.

Linux

#!/bin/sh
cd "$(dirname "$(readlink -fn "$0")")"
java -Xms1G -Xmx2G -jar forge-1.12.2-XYZ-universal.jar

Save your Linux launch script as launch.sh.

Running a Launch Script

Ensure you are running your launch script out of a folder created especially for your server. This is for your own sanity; unfortunately, Spongie is unable to soak up your tears if you do not do this.

You may run your launch script by double-clicking it. If you are using a console or terminal, navigate to the directory of the script and run it. Keep in mind that you must agree to the Mojang EULA in order to run a server.

Note

The default Minecraft server GUI console is disabled by Sponge, because it is very processor-intensive.

Warning

If you get a permissions error when attempting to launch your server on a Mac, try this:

  • Open the Terminal.

  • Type chmod a+x, with a space at the end.

  • Drag your launch script to the Terminal.

  • Press enter.