How to set up a Minecraft SMP

1. Pick the software

Paper if you want plugins (most SMPs do): it's vanilla gameplay, faster, with a huge plugin library. Fabric if you want mods that add content. On Jump you pick it when you create the server and can change it later in Settings.

2. Plugins most SMPs use

• EssentialsX: homes, /tpa, /spawn, nicknames.
• LuckPerms: decide who can use which commands.
• CoreProtect: see who broke what, and roll back griefing.
• GriefPrevention: let players claim land so nobody else can build there.
• Chunky: generate the world ahead of time, so exploring doesn't lag the server.
• Simple Voice Chat: talk to whoever is nearby. See setting up voice chat.

On Jump, all of these are in Plugins & mods: search, click install, restart.

3. Set the rules

• Whitelist the group: /whitelist on, then /whitelist add each player.
• Decide on PvP (pvp in server.properties) and /gamerule keepInventory.
• /gamerule playersSleepingPercentage 1 so one person can skip the night.
• /worldborder set 10000 to keep the map, and the backups, a sensible size.

4. Keep it there when people want to play

SMP players log on at different times. On a free Jump server, that's fine: it sleeps when empty and wakes when anyone joins. For farms that keep running and no wait at all, a paid plan keeps it always on with hourly backups, from $4.99 a month. See 24/7 servers.

Questions