How to Make a Minecraft Server (Java)

Your own world, your rules - in about 15 minutes.

Quick answer: download the server jar from minecraft.net (or Paper for plugins), run java -Xmx2G -jar server.jar nogui, accept the EULA in eula.txt, run it again, and share your public IP. Can't port forward? Use playit.gg and skip the router entirely.

1. Vanilla or Paper?

Vanilla (official server.jar) - exactly the singleplayer game, multiplayer. No plugins, minimal RAM.
Paper - the standard for anything beyond a few friends: much better performance, plugin support (LuckPerms, EssentialsX...) and lag-tuning options. Mods still need a Fabric/NeoForge server instead.

2. First run

Make an empty folder and put the jar inside.
Run: java -Xmx2G -Xms2G -jar server.jar nogui (2-4 GB for a friends server).
It stops immediately: open the generated eula.txt and set eula=true (you accept Mojang's EULA).
Run it again. The world generates and the console says "Done".

3. Basic configuration (server.properties)

motd= - the name friends see in the server list.
difficulty=, gamemode=, max-players=, view-distance= (lower it to 6-8 if laggy).
white-list=true - strongly recommended: only players you add with /whitelist add <name> can join.
Make yourself operator from the console: op YourName (no slash in the console).

4. Let friends in

Same network: they connect to your local IP, port 25565.
Port forwarding: forward TCP 25565 to your PC's local IP in your router, then friends connect to your public IP.
No router access / CGNAT (most mobile and many fiber ISPs): use a free tunnel like playit.gg - run their agent, get a public address, share it. No router config at all.

5. Bedrock players on a Java server?

Install the GeyserMC plugin (with Floodgate) on a Paper server and console/mobile players can join your Java world. It is the standard cross-play bridge.

Safety basics

Always enable the whitelist on a public IP - scanners find open Minecraft ports within hours.
Never share your server folder or ops.json; /op gives full control.
Back up the world folder weekly, with the server stopped.