How to Set Up a Minecraft Paper Server from Scratch (2026 Guide)

Paper is the fastest and most plugin-compatible Minecraft server software available. This guide walks you through setting up a Paper server, installing plugins, and getting it ready for players.

Why Paper?

If you are starting a Minecraft server in 2026, use Paper. It is a fork of Spigot that fixes hundreds of bugs, adds performance optimisations, and provides a better API for plugin developers. Nearly every popular plugin supports Paper, and most developers test on Paper first.

What You Need

A computer or VPS running Windows, macOS, or Linux
Java 21 or newer (adoptium.net)
At least 2 GB RAM (4 GB recommended)
A terminal / command prompt

Check your Java version:

java -version

Step 1: Download Paper

Go to papermc.io/downloads and download the latest Paper build for your Minecraft version. Save the .jar to a new folder called minecraft-server.

Step 2: Create the Start Script

Windows — create start.bat:

java -Xms1G -Xmx2G -jar paper-1.21.4-xxx.jar --nogui
pause

Linux / macOS — create start.sh:

#!/bin/bash
java -Xms1G -Xmx2G -jar paper-1.21.4-xxx.jar --nogui

Replace paper-1.21.4-xxx.jar with your actual filename.

Step 3: First Launch

Run your start script. Paper generates server files then stops. Accept the EULA:

Open eula.txt
Change eula=false to eula=true
Run the start script again

You should see Done! in the console. Type stop to shut down cleanly.

Step 4: Basic Configuration

Open server.properties and adjust these settings:

Setting	What it does	Recommended
`max-players`	Player cap	20 to start
`difficulty`	Game difficulty	`normal`
`spawn-protection`	Blocks only ops can edit near spawn	`0` to disable
`motd`	Message shown in server list	Customise it

Step 5: Installing Plugins

Plugins are .jar files that go in the plugins/ folder. Drop them in and restart the server — Paper loads them automatically.

Essential starter plugins:

EssentialsX — /home, /warp, /spawn, economy commands
LuckPerms — permission management
Vault — economy API
WorldEdit — in-game map editing
CoreProtect — logs block changes, roll back griefing

Install these five before anything else.

Step 6: Setting Spawn

With EssentialsX installed, stand at your spawn location and run:

/setspawn

Set a world border to keep the map tidy:

/worldborder set 5000

Step 7: Permissions with LuckPerms

Run /lp editor to open the web UI. Create groups and assign permissions:

default — /home, /spawn, basic chat
mod — default + /kick, /mute, /tp
admin — full * permission

Assign a player to a group:

/lp user PlayerName parent set mod

Step 8: Opening to the Internet

Port forward your router: external port 25565 → your PC's local IP, port 25565, TCP+UDP. Find your public IP at whatismyip.com. Players connect using YourPublicIP:25565.

On a VPS your IP is already public — just open port 25565 in the firewall.

Step 9: Backups

Linux crontab (every 6 hours):

0 */6 * * * tar -czf /backups/server-$(date +\%Y\%m\%d-\%H\%M).tar.gz /path/to/server/world

On Windows use Task Scheduler to copy the world/ folder on a schedule. Back up before you need it.

What to Add Next

A custom shop plugin for player trading
A minigame or unique game mode
A Discord bot linked to server chat
Custom plugins built for your concept

Browse the Minecraft section on ModForge for plugins from vetted developers.