server.properties is the main configuration file for all server cores. In this article, you can find detailed information about the functions of each option in this config.

spawn-protection

This setting allows you to define the size of the spawn protection radius. The protected area starts at coordinates x-0 z-0. By default, the first 16 blocks in each direction are protected from being modified by any player.

max-tick-time

The maximum number of milliseconds a single tick is allowed to take before the server watchdog automatically stops the server.

It is recommended that only experienced users change this value.

query.port

The port used to retrieve additional server information via various external services.

generator-settings

Flat world generation settings for the server.

sync-chunk-writes

Enables synchronous chunk saving to disk.

force-gamemode

If enabled, all players will be forced into the default gamemode specified in the gamemode setting upon joining the server.

allow-nether

Enables or disables the Nether world on the server.

enforce-whitelist

When enabled, the server will automatically reload the whitelist before each player join to check for newly added usernames.

gamemode

Sets the default gamemode for all new players on the server.

broadcast-console-to-ops

If enabled, all console commands executed on the server will be broadcast to server operators.

enable-query

Enables the GameSpy4 query service, which allows external tools to retrieve information about the server. The port for this service is configured via query.port.

player-idle-timeout

Sets the time (in minutes) after which idle players will be automatically disconnected from the server. By default this is set to 0 (players are not kicked for inactivity).

text-filtering-config

A setting that allows you to link a specific external service to the server for automatic text filtering in chat and written books.

difficulty

Sets the game difficulty on the server. Possible values:

peaceful — Peaceful difficulty (no hunger depletion and no hostile mobs).

easy — Easy difficulty.

normal — Normal difficulty.

hard — Hard difficulty.

broadcast-rcon-to-ops

If enabled, commands executed via RCON will be broadcast to server operators.

spawn-monsters

Controls whether hostile mobs can spawn on the server.

op-permission-level

Defines the permission level of server operators. Possible values:

1 — Operators can break/place blocks within the spawn protection radius.

2 — Operators can use the commands /clear, /difficulty, /effect, /gamemode, /gamerule, /give, /tp, and interact with command blocks.

3 — Operators can use the commands /ban, /deop, /kick, and /op.

4 — Operators can use the /stop command.

Controls whether players can attack each other. If set to false, players cannot deal any damage to other users.

entity-broadcast-range-percentage

Can be set from 0 to 500. Adjusts the entity tracking/render distance for players as a percentage of the default. Higher values may reduce server performance.

snooper-enabled

Allows the server to automatically send some usage statistics to the developers.

level-type

Defines the world generation type for the server. Possible values:

In the vanilla version of the game: DEFAULT — Standard world. FLAT — Flat world. LARGEBIOMES — Large biomes. AMPLIFIED — Amplified terrain.

With mods installed, this can take various other values depending on the capabilities of the modifications used.

enable-status

By default set to true. The server will appear as online in the multiplayer server list. If disabled, the server will appear offline, but players will still be able to connect.

hardcore

Enables Hardcore mode on the server. After death, the player is switched to Spectator mode.

enable-command-block

Allows the use of Command Blocks on the server.

network-compression-threshold

Enables automatic compression of network packets. Possible values:

-1 — disable compression. 0 — compress all packets.

We recommend not setting a value lower than 64 and not exceeding 1500.

max-players

Sets the maximum number of players allowed on your server.

max-world-size

Allows you to set a world border radius, starting from the origin coordinates.

resource-pack-sha1

A special SHA-1 hash used for faster verification of the resource pack. Must be specified in hexadecimal format.

function-permission-level

Defines the access level for game functions, including function-type scripts.

rcon.port

Specifies the port used for remote server management via RCON.

server-port

Specifies the port (for TCP and UDP) used to access the game server. The default value is 25565.

debug

Enables debug mode on the server.

server-ip

The server IP address that players will use to connect. By default, no value is set, so the address of the machine running the server will be used.

spawn-npcs

Allows NPCs to spawn in villages on the server.

allow-flight

Allows players to fly in Survival mode when an appropriate plugin is installed. Often used to prevent players from being automatically kicked for flying.

level-name

Sets the folder name for the default world on the server.

view-distance

Defines the number of chunks around each player that will be loaded. This setting can significantly affect server performance.

Can be set from 3 to 15 render chunks.

resource-pack

Specifies the default resource pack for the server. When joining, players will be prompted to install this server resource pack.

More details — Installing a resource pack on the server.

spawn-animals

Controls whether animals can spawn in the world.

white-list

Enables the standard whitelist. This feature allows you to add only specific players to a list of users permitted to join the server.

rcon.password

Specifies the password used to access the server via RCON. Make sure that enable-rcon is enabled.

generate-structures

Controls whether structures (such as villages, dungeons, etc.) are generated in the world.

online-mode

Enables authentication with Mojang servers. Only players with a valid, licensed Minecraft account will be able to join the server.

max-build-height

The maximum build height on the server. The default value is 256.

level-seed

Specifies the world seed used for world generation. If left blank, a random seed will be generated.

prevent-proxy-connections

If enabled, all subsequent player connections made through a proxy will be blocked.

use-native-transport

Optimizes sending and receiving network packets on Linux. It is recommended to keep this enabled.

enable-jmx-monitoring

Allows you to enable an MBean (a feature in Java that lets classes expose some of their data externally) with the object net.minecraft.server:type=Server and the attributes averageTickTime and tickTimes, which output the time spent processing a single server tick in seconds (related to TPS).

motd

Specifies the server description (Message of the Day). This setting supports formatting and Unicode characters.

rate-limit

Sets a limit on requests for UUIDs and player usernames.

enable-rcon

Controls whether RCON is enabled on the server. The configuration for RCON is done via rcon.password and rcon.port.