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Godlike.Host offers hosted Mindustry servers with its own game panel, SFTP access and free DDoS protection, if you would rather not host it yourself.
The quickest way to host a small Mindustry session is Host Multiplayer Game from inside the game when everyone is on the same Wi‑Fi network. For a persistent server that can stay online without the host playing, install Java on a Linux or Windows machine, download the official Mindustry server JAR, launch it with java -jar, and start a map with the host command. Internet play requires port 6567 over both TCP and UDP; players then connect through Play → Join Game → Add Server with the host address and port.
This guide covers both routes, including router and firewall setup, administration, persistence, Docker, Raspberry Pi considerations, and the common reasons a player cannot connect. Release requirements and command names can change, so check the current official server release and wiki for the build you install.
Choose the right way to host
Mindustry has three practical hosting patterns. Your choice depends on whether the session is local or public, whether the host can leave the game running, and how much administration you want.
In-game hosting for a small LAN session
Use the game’s Host Multiplayer Game option when a few people are connected to the same home, school, or office network. It is the least complicated route: no separate Java process, server files, firewall rules, or router configuration are normally required. The trade-off is availability. The host’s game must remain open, and the session ends when that game closes or loses its network connection.
A dedicated Java server for continuous operation
A dedicated server is a standalone Java program. It can run on a spare Windows or Linux computer while players join and leave independently of the owner’s game client. This is the best fit for a regular community, a server that should remain online overnight, or an administrator who needs commands such as whitelisting, kicking, banning, saving, and changing limits.
A cloud virtual machine or community container
A rented virtual machine avoids exposing a household connection and can remain online in a data center. The official guidance names AWS, Linode, and DigitalOcean as examples of cloud or dedicated-VM services; it does not establish a Mindustry-specific plan, price, or performance figure for any of them. If you already use Docker, a community Compose implementation can run the server in a container, but that is an alternative implementation rather than the official baseline.
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| Approach | Availability | Network reach | Administration | What you need |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Host Multiplayer Game | Only while the host’s game is open | Usually the same local network | Game-host controls | Mindustry on the host and each player’s device |
| Dedicated JAR | Independent of a player’s game session | LAN by default; internet with forwarding | Server console, commands, and configuration | Linux or Windows machine, compatible Java, server release |
| Cloud VM | Designed for continuous operation | Internet through the VM’s network rules | Operating-system and server administration | Rented VM and the same Mindustry server software |
| Docker implementation | Independent of a player’s game session | Depends on container and host networking | Container plus project-specific configuration | Docker and persistent storage |
Prepare the machine and network
Use a supported operating system
The documented dedicated-server path works on Linux or Windows. Choose a machine that can stay powered and connected for as long as players need access. A desktop, laptop, home server, or virtual machine can work; the official instructions do not prescribe a processor, memory amount, or player capacity.
Install Java, but verify the release requirement
Install a Java runtime before launching the server. The official setup instructions require Java but do not specify a runtime version in the cited material. Do not assume that a particular Java major release is correct: check the requirements for the exact server build you download, then verify the installation from a terminal using your platform’s normal Java version command.
Decide whether the server is LAN-only or public
A dedicated server listens on the local machine first. Devices on the same network can normally reach it through the host’s private address. Players outside that network need a public address, router forwarding, and firewall permission. Publishing a household public IP reveals the address of the home connection, so consider a cloud VM, dedicated host, or VPN-style arrangement instead of exposing the router directly.
Install and start the official dedicated server
The JAR process is the simplest documented dedicated-server baseline. Keep the downloaded file in its own folder so that maps, saves, logs, and configuration remain easy to identify.
- Install Java. Complete the runtime installation on the Linux or Windows machine and confirm that the
javacommand is available in a terminal or command prompt. - Download a server release. Get the desired build from Mindustry’s official itch.io page or official GitHub releases. The file is commonly named
server.jarorserver-release.jar, although the exact filename can change. - Open the server folder. In a terminal, change directory to the folder containing the JAR. Running from that directory lets the process find its related data files without relying on an unknown working path.
- Launch the JAR. Run
java -jar server.jar. Substitute the actual filename if it is different, for examplejava -jar server-release.jar. Leave this terminal open while the server is running. - Start a map. At the server console, enter
host <mapname> [mode]. Replace<mapname>with a map name. If you omit the optional mode, current official wiki guidance says hosting defaults to survival; if you omit a map, it uses a random map. - Inspect the console. Enter
helpto list commands.statusshows server status,mapslists available maps, andversionreports the running build. These checks are useful before giving the address to other players.
Keep the process running while people play. Closing the terminal or stopping the Java process makes the dedicated server unavailable unless you have configured an operating-system service or another process manager.
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Open port 6567 and make the server reachable
Allow the port in Windows Firewall
For a Windows host, the official guide says to allow port 6567 for both TCP and UDP in Windows Firewall. Create inbound rules that cover both protocols. If you later change the server port in configuration, use that new value consistently in the firewall, router, and player connection details.
Forward the port on a home router
Port forwarding is needed only when players connect from outside the local network. Create a router rule that forwards 6567/TCP and 6567/UDP to the private IP address of the machine running the JAR. Router menus differ by manufacturer and firmware, so follow instructions for the exact make and model. Give the host a stable local address, such as a DHCP reservation, so the forwarding rule does not point to the wrong device after a reboot.
Without forwarding, the dedicated server remains reachable by devices on the local network but not by ordinary internet connections. Some internet providers place customers behind carrier-grade NAT, which can prevent inbound forwarding even when router settings look correct; in that situation, a cloud VM or another externally reachable host is the practical alternative.
Find the address players should use
Players on the same network should use the host machine’s local IP address. Players across networks need the household’s current public IP after forwarding is complete. Share the address privately rather than posting it publicly, because it identifies the home internet connection. The connection entry also includes port 6567 unless you deliberately configured another port.
Connect from the game client
- Open Mindustry and choose Play.
- Select Join Game.
- Choose Add Server.
- Enter the host’s local or public IP address and the server port.
- Save the entry and join it from the server list.
Cross-network multiplayer requires port forwarding and sharing the reachable IP. Cross-platform play is supported when the devices run the same Mindustry version, so version matching is one of the first checks when a PC, iOS, or Android player cannot connect.
Start maps and use the server console
The console is the control center for a dedicated server. Run help whenever you need the command list for the installed build, because names and options can change. The documented command families include:
hoststarts a map and game mode.stopends the current hosted game.statusdisplays server state.mapslists maps, whilereloadmapsrefreshes the map list after files change.save,load, andsavesmanage saved games.playerlimitchanges the allowed player count.configexposes server configuration options.whitelistcontrols allow-listed access.kickremoves a player andbanblocks a player.adminsmanages administrator access, whileplayerslists connected players.
Use the command’s exact syntax shown by help in your build. A command that existed in an older release may have changed, gained an argument, or moved into configuration.
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Configure persistence, moderation, and behavior
Dedicated servers are useful because their settings persist independently of a player’s client. The documented configuration areas include the server name and description, listening port, startup commands, logging, anti-spam controls, whitelist behavior, autosave, autosave spacing, and auto-pause.
Set a recognizable identity
Give the server a name and description that tell players which community or group it belongs to. A clear description can state whether the server is private, cooperative, experimental, or open to new players.
Use startup commands and autosave
Startup commands can make a repeatable server launch sequence possible instead of requiring an administrator to type every command manually. Enable autosave and choose an appropriate save interval for your play style. Keep manual saves available before major map or configuration changes.
Control access and disruptive behavior
Use a whitelist for a private group. Administrators can use kick and ban when someone disrupts a game, and anti-spam controls can limit abusive chat or connection behavior. Auto-pause can prevent the simulation from continuing unattended, depending on the behavior you want when no players are present.
Keep an administrator recovery path
Record who has administrator access and keep a copy of the server folder’s saves and configuration. Before editing files or installing a mod, stop the server cleanly and make a backup. If an update causes a problem, you can restore the previous JAR and data rather than losing the world.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Run the server with Docker
Docker is appropriate when you already manage containers and want the server isolated from the host operating system. A community Docker Compose example maps 6567/TCP and 6567/UDP and mounts a persistent volume for server data. In that implementation, docker compose up -d starts the container.
Treat the Compose repository as one community implementation, not as an official Mindustry method or a guarantee that every current release uses the same image, environment variables, or directory layout. Follow that project’s instructions for console access, maps, mods, and configuration. Confirm that the volume is persistent before destroying or recreating the container; otherwise saves and settings can disappear with the container filesystem. For a first installation, the official JAR process has fewer moving parts.
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Use a Raspberry Pi only when it fits your setup
The official FAQ says the dedicated server can run on a Raspberry Pi with the correct Java version, while the Mindustry game itself does not support Raspberry Pi. No Pi model, memory requirement, or accessory is specified. A Pi is therefore optional, not a requirement for ordinary hosting.
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Troubleshoot connection and startup failures
The JAR will not start
- Confirm Java is installed and the terminal can find the
javacommand. - Check that you changed directory to the folder containing the downloaded file.
- Use the exact downloaded filename in
java -jar; do not assume it is alwaysserver.jar. - Read the startup error for an incompatible Java runtime and compare it with the current release requirements.
Players on the same Wi‑Fi cannot join
- Verify the server is actually hosting a map, not waiting at the console.
- Use the host’s private LAN IP, not its public IP, for a local test.
- Allow 6567 through the host firewall for both TCP and UDP.
- Check that every client is running the same Mindustry version.
Local players connect but remote players cannot
- Confirm the router forwards both TCP and UDP on port 6567 to the correct machine.
- Check that the host’s private IP has not changed; a DHCP reservation prevents this common failure.
- Use the current public IP, not the local address, for remote players.
- Ask whether the internet provider uses carrier-grade NAT, which can block inbound connections even with a correct router rule.
Players are rejected after an update
Check the server’s version output and compare it with each player’s client version. Update all participants to the same release, or restore the server build that matches the clients while you plan the upgrade. Back up saves before replacing the JAR.
The map list or saves look wrong
Run reloadmaps after adding or changing map files. Use saves to see available saves, and confirm that a Docker volume or server data directory is mounted where the running process expects it. A clean stop before copying files avoids partially written saves.
Choose home hosting or a rented VM
Home hosting uses equipment and an internet connection you already own, but it requires router administration and exposes the household public IP to anyone you invite. A cloud VM or dedicated host adds a recurring rental cost and operating-system maintenance, but it separates the game service from the home network and is designed for continuous availability. The official guidance names cloud services such as AWS, Linode, and DigitalOcean as examples; it does not provide prices or promise a particular player capacity.
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For a private LAN, avoid the complexity of public forwarding altogether. For a small group that plays at scheduled times, in-game hosting may be enough. For a persistent public server, use a dedicated machine or VM, restrict administrative access, keep the software updated, and decide carefully who receives the server address.
Quick Recap
Maintenance checklist for 2026
- Check the official release page before installing or upgrading; release names and Java requirements are volatile.
- Record the JAR filename, Java runtime, server port, startup commands, and data-directory location.
- Back up saves and configuration before changing the JAR, maps, mods, or major settings.
- Verify that firewall and router rules still point to the correct host and allow both protocols.
- Run
version,status, andplayersafter a restart. - Test a local connection before asking remote players to troubleshoot an internet path.
- Review whitelist, administrator, anti-spam, autosave, and auto-pause settings as the group changes.
- Remove or replace outdated maps and mods only after confirming they are compatible with the server build.
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