Set up a Minecraft server (Paper)

This guide assumes Ubuntu 24.04 and that you are connected via SSH.

1. Install Java

Current Minecraft versions need Java 21:

apt update && apt install -y openjdk-21-jre-headless

2. Create a dedicated user

The server should not run as root:

adduser --system --group --home /opt/minecraft minecraft
cd /opt/minecraft

3. Download Paper

Copy the download link of the version you want from papermc.io/downloads and download the file:

sudo -u minecraft wget -O paper.jar "LINK-FROM-PAPERMC"
echo "eula=true" | sudo -u minecraft tee eula.txt

With eula=true you accept the Minecraft EULA.

4. Start automatically

Create the file /etc/systemd/system/minecraft.service:

[Unit]
Description=Minecraft
After=network.target

[Service]
User=minecraft
WorkingDirectory=/opt/minecraft
ExecStart=/usr/bin/java -Xms2G -Xmx6G -jar paper.jar --nogui
Restart=on-failure

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

-Xmx is the maximum memory – leave about 1–2 GB for the system. Then start it:

systemctl daemon-reload
systemctl enable --now minecraft

5. Open the port

If the firewall is active in the Firewall tab, add a rule: Inbound · Allow · TCP · port 25565. Players can then join using YOUR-IP.

6. Extras

• Connect a domain so players can use e.g. play.yourserver.com.
• The status page and server list in the Community tab show player count and version.
• A backup plan saves your world automatically.