Hytale Server Administration

Set up, configure, and manage Hytale servers.

Server Planning Questions

Before setting up, work through these questions with the server owner:

Phase 1: Private Server

Question Options Notes

Where will you host? Local PC, VPS, Game Host Local = free, VPS = flexible, Host = easy

Who will have access? Friends list (whitelist) Start restricted

Starting vanilla or modded? Vanilla first is great! Can add mods anytime

World seed? Random, specific Can make new worlds later

Backups? Manual, automated Set schedule before playing

Tip: Starting vanilla is perfectly fine! You can add mods later - just make a new world if needed. Many groups prefer to learn vanilla first anyway!

Phase 2: Going Public

Question Options Notes

Expected player count? 10, 50, 100+ Affects RAM/hosting needs

Moderation team? Solo, trusted friends, hired Plan roles

Rules? PvP, griefing, chat Document before opening

Server listing? Private, public discovery Authentication level

Anti-cheat? Plugins, vanilla Consider early

DDoS protection? Host-provided, Cloudflare Required for public

Requirements

Hardware (Self-Hosting)

Players RAM CPU Notes

1-5 4GB 2 cores Minimum

5-20 8GB 4 cores Recommended

20-50 16GB 6 cores With mods

50+ 32GB+ 8+ cores Heavy mods

Software

• Java 25 (required)

• HytaleServer.jar (from Hytale)

• Assets.zip (game assets)

Initial Setup

Step 1: Download Server Files

• Download HytaleServer.jar from official source

• Download Assets.zip (game assets)

• Place in a dedicated folder

Step 2: First Launch

Windows

java -Xmx4G -jar HytaleServer.jar --assets ./Assets.zip

Linux

java -Xmx4G -jar HytaleServer.jar --assets ./Assets.zip

This creates the folder structure:

server/ ├── HytaleServer.jar ├── Assets.zip ├── config.json # Server settings ├── permissions.json # Player permissions ├── whitelist.json # Allowed players ├── bans.json # Banned players └── universe/ └── worlds/ └── default/ └── config.json # World settings

Step 3: Authenticate

In server console

/auth login device

• Copy the URL and code shown

• Visit URL in browser

• Enter code to authenticate

• Server can now accept connections

Configuration Files

config.json (Main Server)

{ "ServerName": "My Hytale Server", "MOTD": "Welcome to our server!", "Password": "", "MaxPlayers": 20, "MaxViewRadius": 12, "LocalCompressionEnabled": true }

Setting Description

ServerName

Displayed to players

MOTD

Message of the day

Password

Empty = no password

MaxPlayers

Concurrent player limit

MaxViewRadius

Render distance

World config.json

Located in universe/worlds/[name]/config.json :

{ "seed": "my-custom-seed", "pvp": true, "fallDamage": true, "keepInventory": false, "difficulty": "normal" }

Permissions System

permissions.json Structure

{ "groups": { "default": { "permissions": [ "hytale.command.help", "hytale.command.spawn" ] }, "moderator": { "inherits": ["default"], "permissions": [ "hytale.command.kick", "hytale.command.mute", "hytale.command.tp" ] }, "admin": { "inherits": ["moderator"], "permissions": [ "hytale.command.", "hytale.admin." ] } }, "users": { "player-uuid-here": { "groups": ["admin"] } } }

Permission Commands

Grant operator status

/op add <username>

Remove operator status

/op remove <username>

View player permissions

/permissions user <username> info

Networking

Port Configuration

Protocol Port Purpose

UDP 5520 Game traffic (default)

Important: Hytale uses UDP, not TCP!

Firewall Rules

Windows PowerShell (Admin):

New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Hytale Server" -Direction Inbound -Protocol UDP -LocalPort 5520 -Action Allow

Linux (ufw):

sudo ufw allow 5520/udp

Linux (iptables):

sudo iptables -A INPUT -p udp --dport 5520 -j ACCEPT

Port Forwarding (Home Router)

• Access router admin (usually 192.168.1.1)

• Find Port Forwarding section

• Add rule:

• Protocol: UDP

• External Port: 5520

• Internal IP: Your server PC's IP

• Internal Port: 5520

Custom Port

java -jar HytaleServer.jar --assets ./Assets.zip --bind 0.0.0.0:25565

Private Server Setup

Whitelist-Only Access

Edit whitelist.json :

{ "enabled": true, "players": [ "friend1-uuid", "friend2-uuid" ] }

Or use commands:

/whitelist add <username> /whitelist remove <username> /whitelist on /whitelist off

Password Protection

In config.json :

{ "Password": "secretpassword123" }

Going Public Checklist

Before Launch

• Rules documented - Create /rules command

• Moderation team ready - Assign roles

• Backup system working - Test restore

• Anti-grief plugins - Protect builds

• Reporting system - How players report issues

• DDoS protection - If self-hosting

Server Hardening

{ "MaxPlayers": 50, "RateLimit": { "ConnectionsPerIP": 2, "CommandsPerMinute": 30 } }

Recommended Plugins

Purpose Examples

Permissions HyperPerms

Economy HyVault

Protection WorldGuard-equivalent

Moderation Essentials-equivalent

Hosting Options

Self-Hosting

Pros Cons

Free Your hardware/bandwidth

Full control You handle maintenance

No monthly cost Uptime depends on you

VPS Hosting

Pros Cons

Always online Monthly cost ($10-50+)

Better bandwidth Some technical knowledge

Scalable You manage software

Recommended VPS:

• Hetzner, OVH, Linode, DigitalOcean

Game Server Hosts

Pros Cons

Easy setup Higher cost

Control panel Less flexibility

Support included Limited customization

Popular Hosts:

• BisectHosting, Apex, Shockbyte, PebbleHost

Common Commands

Command Description

/help

List all commands

/op add <user>

Grant admin

/kick <user>

Kick player

/ban <user>

Ban player

/whitelist add <user>

Allow player

/tp <user>

Teleport to player

/gamemode <mode>

Change gamemode

/plugin list

List plugins

/plugin reload

Reload plugins

/save-all

Force world save

/stop

Gracefully stop server

Troubleshooting

Issue Solution

Players can't connect Check firewall + port forward (UDP!)

Authentication failed Re-run /auth login device

Server crashes Check RAM allocation, reduce view distance

Lag Lower MaxPlayers, optimize plugins

World corruption Restore from backup

Backup Strategy

Manual Backup

Stop server first!

cp -r universe/ backup/universe_$(date +%Y%m%d)/

Automated (Linux cron)

Daily backup at 4 AM

0 4 * * * /path/to/backup-script.sh

Quick Reference

Task Command/File

Start server java -Xmx4G -jar HytaleServer.jar --assets ./Assets.zip

Authenticate /auth login device

Main config config.json

Permissions permissions.json

Whitelist whitelist.json / /whitelist

Default port UDP 5520

Resources

• Official Manual: Hytale Server Manual

• Plugin Development: See hytale-plugin-dev skill

• Team Workflow: See git-workflow skill