Getting Started With Your Minecraft Server

Your Minecraft server is provisioned within minutes of ordering, and you'll get an email with your panel login, server IP and port. Here's how to get from that email to playing with friends.

1. Log in to your game panel

Hoststack Minecraft servers run on the Pterodactyl panel. Use the panel URL and credentials from your welcome email to log in — this is where you start, stop and restart the server, upload world files, edit configs, and view the live console. If you haven't set a password yet, use the "Forgot password" link on the panel login page.

2. Choose your server type and version

• Vanilla or Paper for a fast, lag-friendly survival server
• Forge or Fabric if you plan to run mods
• Spigot for lightweight plugin support
• Match the game version to what your friends have installed

You can switch the server "egg" (type) from the panel's Startup tab at any time — just make sure to back up your world first if you're changing between mod loaders.

3. Connect from Minecraft

Open Minecraft, go to Multiplayer → Add Server, and enter the IP address and port shown on your panel's overview page (usually in the format ip:port). Start the server from the panel first — it can take 30-60 seconds to boot, especially on the first run while it downloads server files.

4. Installing plugins or a modpack

• Use the File Manager to upload .jar plugins into the /plugins folder, then restart
• For modpacks, use the one-click CurseForge/Modrinth installer available on supported eggs
• Check your RAM allocation matches the modpack's recommended minimum before installing
• Take a snapshot before major changes so you can roll back easily

Inviting friends

Share your server's IP:port with friends directly, or set up a free DNS subdomain from the client area so they can connect with a name instead of numbers. If your plan includes DDoS protection, it's on by default — no extra setup needed to keep the server online during griefing attempts or attacks.