Complete guide: How to create a Hytale server

Creating your own Hytale server allows you to build a custom gaming experience for your community. Whether you're planning a small private server for friends or a large public server, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get your Hytale server up and running.

What You Need Before Starting

Before diving into the setup process, make sure your system meets the minimum technical requirements for hosting a Hytale server.

System Requirements

To run a Hytale server smoothly, your machine needs:

RAM: Minimum 4 GB (8 GB or more recommended for better performance)
Processor: x64 or arm64 architecture
Java: Version 25 LTS (this is essential and non-negotiable)
Storage: Sufficient space for server files and world data
Network: Stable internet connection with ability to configure port forwarding

The most important requirement is Java 25 LTS. We strongly recommend installing "Adoptium (Temurin)" as your Java distribution. After installation, verify it's working correctly by running:

java --version

This should display Java version 25 or higher.

Step 1: Obtaining Your Server Files

There are two primary methods to get the necessary Hytale server files. Choose the one that best fits your needs.

Method 1: Manual Download (Simplest for Beginners)

This method is perfect if you're setting up a server for the first time or running a small private server.

Navigate to your Hytale installation folder. On Windows, this is typically located at:
```
%appdata%\Hytale\install\release\package\game\latest
```
Locate two important items:
- The "Server" folder
- The "Assets.zip" file
Copy both of these to a new directory where you want your server to live. This could be something like:
```
C:\HytaleServer\
```
or on Linux:
```
/home/username/hytale-server/
```

Method 2: CLI Download (Recommended for Production)

For production servers or if you want automatic updates, use the Hytale Downloader tool. This method is more technical but offers better long-term maintenance.

Download the Hytale Downloader tool
Run the following command to download the latest server version:
```
./hytale-downloader
```

This method automatically downloads the latest version and makes updating your server much easier in the future.

Step 2: Server Authentication

Every Hytale server must be linked to a Hytale account for functionality. This is a crucial security and licensing step.

Linking Your Account

Launch your server for the first time with this command:
```
java -jar HytaleServer.jar --assets PathToAssets.zip
```
Replace PathToAssets.zip with the actual path to your Assets.zip file.
In the server console, you'll see a prompt. Enter the following command:
```
/auth login device
```
The console will display a unique authorization code
Open your web browser and navigate to:
```
accounts.hytale.com/device
```
Enter the code displayed in your console
Confirm the authorization

Important: Each Hytale account can authorize up to 100 servers. This should be more than enough for most use cases, but keep it in mind if you're running multiple servers.

Step 3: Network Configuration

Proper network configuration is essential for players to connect to your server.

Understanding Hytale's Network Protocol

Hytale servers use QUIC protocol over UDP (not TCP). This is important to know when configuring your firewall and port forwarding.

The default port is 5520, but you can change this via command-line parameters if needed.

Configuring Your Firewall

Choose the instructions based on your operating system:

Windows (Windows Defender Firewall)

Open PowerShell as Administrator and run:

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

Linux (iptables)

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

To make this rule persistent across reboots, save your iptables rules:

sudo iptables-save > /etc/iptables/rules.v4

Linux (ufw - Uncomplicated Firewall)

If you're using ufw (common on Ubuntu):

sudo ufw allow 5520/udp

Port Forwarding

If you're hosting from home, you'll need to configure port forwarding on your router:

Access your router's admin panel (usually at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1)
Find the "Port Forwarding" or "Virtual Server" section
Create a new rule:
- Protocol: UDP
- External Port: 5520
- Internal Port: 5520
- Internal IP: Your server's local IP address
- Name: Hytale Server
Save and apply the changes

Step 4: Server Configuration

Hytale servers use several JSON configuration files to customize server behavior.

Key Configuration Files

config.json

This is your main server configuration file. It controls:

Server name and description
Maximum players
Game rules
World generation settings
Performance options

permissions.json

Manages player permissions and roles:

Admin privileges
Moderator abilities
Custom permission groups
Command access levels

whitelist.json

If you want to run a private server:

Add player usernames to allow access
Enable whitelist mode
Manage invited players

bans.json

For server moderation:

Banned player list
Ban reasons and durations
IP bans

Basic config.json Example

{
  "server-name": "My Hytale Server",
  "max-players": 20,
  "port": 5520,
  "difficulty": "normal",
  "pvp": true,
  "whitelist": false
}

Customize these values based on your server's needs.

Step 5: Performance Optimization

For the best server performance, especially with more players, consider these optimization techniques.

Increasing RAM Allocation

By default, Java might not use enough RAM for your server. Increase the allocation with the -Xmx flag:

java -Xmx8G -jar HytaleServer.jar --assets Assets.zip

This example allocates 8GB of RAM. Adjust based on your available memory:

Small server (1-10 players): -Xmx4G
Medium server (10-50 players): -Xmx8G
Large server (50+ players): -Xmx16G or more

Enable AOT Caching

Ahead-of-Time (AOT) compilation can significantly improve startup times:

java -XX:AOTCache=HytaleServer.aot -Xmx8G -jar HytaleServer.jar --assets Assets.zip

The first startup will take longer as it creates the cache, but subsequent starts will be much faster.

Additional Performance Flags

For advanced users, consider these Java flags for optimal performance:

java -Xmx8G -Xms8G -XX:+UseG1GC -XX:+ParallelRefProcEnabled -XX:MaxGCPauseMillis=200 -XX:+UnlockExperimentalVMOptions -XX:+DisableExplicitGC -XX:+AlwaysPreTouch -XX:G1NewSizePercent=30 -XX:G1MaxNewSizePercent=40 -XX:G1HeapRegionSize=8M -XX:G1ReservePercent=20 -XX:G1HeapWastePercent=5 -XX:G1MixedGCCountTarget=4 -XX:InitiatingHeapOccupancyPercent=15 -XX:G1MixedGCLiveThresholdPercent=90 -XX:G1RSetUpdatingPauseTimePercent=5 -XX:SurvivorRatio=32 -XX:+PerfDisableSharedMem -XX:MaxTenuringThreshold=1 -jar HytaleServer.jar --assets Assets.zip

Starting Your Server

Once everything is configured, start your server with your chosen command. A successful start will show:

Server initialization messages
World loading progress
Network binding confirmation
"Server started on port 5520" message

Connecting to Your Server

For Local Testing

Players on the same network can connect using your local IP address:

192.168.x.x:5520

For Public Access

Players need your public IP address. Find it at websites like whatismyip.com, then share:

your.public.ip.address:5520

Using a Domain Name (Optional)

For a more professional setup, point a domain name to your server's IP:

Purchase a domain name
Create an A record pointing to your server's public IP
Players can connect using: yourservername.com:5520

Server Management and Maintenance

Regular Backups

Always backup your server data regularly:

World files
Configuration files
Player data

Automate this with a script running daily or weekly.

Monitoring Performance

Keep an eye on:

CPU usage
RAM usage
Network bandwidth
Player count vs. performance
TPS (Ticks Per Second)

Updating Your Server

When new Hytale versions release:

Backup everything first
Download the new server files
Replace old files with new ones
Test the server before making it public
Update plugins/mods if applicable

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

"Cannot bind to port 5520"

Another application is using the port
Check with: netstat -ano | findstr :5520 (Windows) or lsof -i :5520 (Linux)
Change the server port or close the conflicting application

Players Cannot Connect

Verify firewall rules are correct
Check port forwarding configuration
Confirm server is actually running
Test with local IP first before testing public access
Ensure you're sharing the correct IP address and port

Server Crashes or Lag

Increase RAM allocation
Check for resource-intensive plugins/mods
Monitor CPU and RAM usage
Consider upgrading hardware
Reduce render distance or max players

Authentication Errors

Verify your account is properly linked
Check internet connection
Re-authenticate using /auth login device
Ensure you haven't exceeded the 100 server limit

Advanced: Running as a Service

For 24/7 server operation, set up your server as a system service.

Linux (systemd)

Create a service file at /etc/systemd/system/hytale.service:

[Unit]
Description=Hytale Server
After=network.target

[Service]
Type=simple
User=hytale
WorkingDirectory=/home/hytale/server
ExecStart=/usr/bin/java -Xmx8G -jar HytaleServer.jar --assets Assets.zip
Restart=always
RestartSec=10

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

Then enable and start:

sudo systemctl enable hytale
sudo systemctl start hytale

Windows (NSSM - Non-Sucking Service Manager)

Download NSSM from nssm.cc
Run: nssm install HytaleServer
Configure the path to java.exe and your server command
Set it to start automatically

Scaling Your Server

As your community grows, you may need to scale:

Vertical Scaling (Better Hardware)

More RAM
Faster CPU
SSD instead of HDD
Better network connection

Horizontal Scaling (Multiple Servers)

Proxy servers (like BungeeCord/Velocity equivalents)
Separate game modes on different servers
Load balancing for large communities

Professional Hosting

Consider professional game server hosts:

Managed services with DDoS protection
Automatic backups
Better uptime
Professional support
Geographic distribution

Building Your Community

A server is only as good as its community. Consider:

Community Platforms

Discord server for out-of-game communication
Website with forums
Social media presence
Server rules and guidelines

Server Management Team

Recruit trustworthy moderators
Clear hierarchy and responsibilities
Regular team meetings
Moderation guidelines and tools

Events and Engagement

Regular server events
Competitions and rewards
Community builds
Seasonal content

Getting Players to Find Your Server

Building a great server is only half the battle - you also need players to discover it. HytaleHunt is a launch-based Hytale server discovery platform that helps new and existing servers gain visibility and attract players.

Unlike traditional "top servers" lists where the same servers dominate forever, HytaleHunt uses a dynamic launch system where servers compete on daily, weekly, and monthly boards. This gives every server - whether brand new or established - a fair chance to reach the top and attract players.

Why it works for growing communities:

Fair Competition: Launch-based system means no server monopolizes the rankings
Regular Exposure: Daily launches give you recurring opportunities to attract new players
Targeted Discovery: Players actively searching for specific types of Hytale servers
Multiple Timeframes: Compete on daily, weekly, and monthly boards based on your launch strategy

Once your server is ready and you've built your initial community infrastructure, consider launching on HytaleHunt to reach more players and grow your community.

Conclusion

Creating and managing a Hytale server requires technical knowledge, dedication, and patience, but it's incredibly rewarding. From small private servers for friends to large public communities, the process starts with these fundamental steps:

Ensure your system meets requirements
Download server files
Authenticate your server
Configure network settings
Optimize performance
Maintain and update regularly

Remember that running a successful server is an ongoing process. Stay engaged with your community, keep your server updated and secure, and don't be afraid to ask for help in Hytale server communities when you encounter challenges.

Whether you're creating a survival server, a creative building server, a minigame hub, or a roleplay server, the technical foundation remains the same. Use this guide as your starting point, and don't hesitate to experiment and customize your server to create the perfect experience for your players.

Good luck with your Hytale server, and may your community thrive!

Need Help? Join the Hytale server community forums and Discord servers where experienced server owners and the community can help with specific issues and advanced configurations.