> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.crazynode.in/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Minecraft Hosting Guide

> Complete guide to setting up, configuring, and optimizing your CrazyNode Minecraft server.

Host a Minecraft server on CrazyNode with support for Vanilla, Paper, Spigot, Forge, Fabric, and popular modpacks.

## First-time setup

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access your server panel">
    Log in to the [client area](https://billing.crazynode.in) and click **Manage** on your Minecraft service to open the game panel.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a server version">
    Under **Startup**, select your desired software (Paper, Spigot, Forge, Fabric, Vanilla) and Minecraft version.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start the server">
    Click **Start**. The console will show the boot process. When you see `Done!`, your server is online.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect from Minecraft">
    In the Minecraft client, add a server using the IP and port shown in your panel.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Installing plugins

Plugins work on **Paper** and **Spigot** servers.

1. Download the plugin `.jar` file from [SpigotMC](https://www.spigotmc.org) or [Modrinth](https://modrinth.com).
2. Open the [file manager](/game-hosting/file-manager) and navigate to `/plugins`.
3. Upload the `.jar` file.
4. Restart the server to load the plugin.

## Installing modpacks

<Steps>
  <Step title="Stop the server">
    Always stop the server before switching software.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Switch to Forge or Fabric">
    In **Startup**, select the matching loader and version required by the modpack.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload the modpack">
    Upload the server pack `.zip` to the root directory, then extract it via the file manager.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set the correct startup jar">
    Update the JAR filename in **Startup** if it differs from the default.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start the server">
    First boot may take a few minutes as mods generate configs.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Server properties

Edit `server.properties` from the file manager or use the **Configuration** tab to change:

* `max-players` — player slot limit
* `difficulty` — peaceful, easy, normal, hard
* `gamemode` — survival, creative, adventure
* `pvp` — enable or disable player combat
* `motd` — message shown in the server list

<Warning>
  Restart the server after editing `server.properties` for changes to take effect.
</Warning>

## Next steps

* Configure [startup settings](/game-hosting/startup-settings) for allocated memory and JVM flags
* Enable [automated backups](/game-hosting/backups)
* Read [performance optimization](/game-hosting/performance) if you experience lag