FORGE Server Starter

Forge Server Starter is a lightweight launcher for Forge and NeoForge Minecraft servers. It replaces traditional .bat and .sh startup scripts and simplifies installation, configuration, startup, console access, and server maintenance.

It is particularly useful for game server hosting environments where custom scripts or startup commands are limited.

Features

• Forge and NeoForge support — Works with modern loaders and legacy Forge versions down to Minecraft 1.7.10.
• Guided installation — Installs Forge or NeoForge interactively through the console.
• Automatic installation — Installs a configured loader using forge-auto-install.txt.
• Loader detection — Detects installed Minecraft, Forge, and NeoForge versions.
• Library check — Verifies that the required server libraries are available.
• Cross-platform startup — Uses the appropriate arguments for Windows, Linux, and macOS.
• Console passthrough — Displays the complete server output and forwards console commands.
• Fast restart — Restart the server gracefully by entering /restart in the console.
• Optional loader updates — Can check for and install newer Forge or NeoForge versions.
• Custom Java path — Use a specific Java installation through server_starter.conf.
• Custom timezone — Configure the server timezone without changing the host system.
• Network check control — Disable the startup connection check for restricted networks.
• Logging and debugging — Write launcher events to a log file and enable detailed diagnostics.
• Update notifications — Receive notices when a newer Forge Server Starter release is available.
• Java compatibility — Supports Java 8 through Java 25, depending on the Minecraft version.

Minecraft EULA

Forge Server Starter does not accept the Minecraft EULA without the user's knowledge and consent.

Before the first server start, the official Minecraft EULA is displayed:

https://aka.ms/MinecraftEULA

After reading the EULA, the user must explicitly enter:

true

Only then will Forge Server Starter write the following setting to eula.txt:

eula=true

Without this explicit confirmation, the EULA remains unchanged.

Quick Start

1. Download the latest minecraft_server.jar.
2. Place it in the Minecraft server directory.
3. Start the launcher:

java -Xms1G -Xmx2G -jar minecraft_server.jar nogui

1. Follow the instructions displayed in the console.
2. Read and confirm the Minecraft EULA when prompted.
3. Forge Server Starter will launch the detected Forge or NeoForge server.

Adjust -Xms and -Xmx to match the amount of memory available to your server.

Automatic Installation

Create forge-auto-install.txt next to minecraft_server.jar.

NeoForge example

minecraftVersion=1.21.1
loaderType=NeoForge
loaderVersion=latest

Forge example

minecraftVersion=1.20.1
loaderType=Forge
loaderVersion=latest

Available loader settings:

• minecraftVersion — Minecraft version to install.
• loaderType — Forge or NeoForge.
• loaderVersion — A specific version, latest, or recommended where supported.

Forge Server Starter downloads and installs the selected loader before starting the server.

Configuration

On first startup, Forge Server Starter creates:

server_starter.conf

The configuration includes settings for:

• Timezone
• Java executable
• Debug output
• File logging
• Network checks
• Automatic loader updates
• Update requests
• EULA confirmation behavior

Example:

timezone=UTC
java_path=java
debug=false
log_to_file=true
network_check=true
auto_update_loader=false
unique_id_request=true

The generated configuration contains additional explanations for each option.

Console Commands

Commands entered into the launcher console are forwarded directly to the Minecraft server.

Examples:

list
say Server restart in 5 minutes
stop

To restart the server without restarting Forge Server Starter, enter:

/restart

The current server process will be stopped gracefully and started again.

Automatic Loader Updates

Automatic Forge or NeoForge updates are disabled by default.

They can be enabled in server_starter.conf:

auto_update_loader=true

When enabled, Forge Server Starter checks for a newer compatible loader version during startup and installs it when available.

Always create a backup before updating a production server. Loader updates may require updated mods or configuration changes.

Restricted or Offline Networks

The startup network check can be disabled when a hosting provider, firewall, or proxy blocks connection tests:

network_check=false

Forge Server Starter will then continue with locally available files. Online installation, update checks, and downloads still require internet access.

Logging

Launcher events can be written to:

logs/server-starter.log

File logging is enabled by default. Additional diagnostic output can be enabled with:

debug=true

Compatibility

• Windows
• Linux
• macOS
• Forge
• NeoForge
• Legacy Forge versions down to Minecraft 1.7.10
• Modern NeoForge versions, including four-part version numbers
• Java 8 through Java 25

The Java version required by the server depends on the selected Minecraft and loader version. Older Minecraft versions may require Java 8, while modern versions commonly require Java 17 or Java 21.

Latest Improvements

• Explicit Minecraft EULA confirmation
• Official EULA information displayed before acceptance
• Forge and NeoForge loader update support
• Faster server restarts using /restart
• Configurable startup network check
• Improved console input on modern Java versions
• Support for modern NeoForge version formats
• Improved legacy Forge compatibility
• Reliable binary installer downloads
• GitHub and CurseForge update links

Downloads and Source Code

• GitHub Releases: https://github.com/HellBz/Forge-Server-Starter/releases/latest
• Source Code: https://github.com/HellBz/Forge-Server-Starter
• CurseForge: https://www.curseforge.com/minecraft/mc-mods/forge-server-starter

Feedback and Bug Reports

Feedback, suggestions, and bug reports are welcome:

https://legacy.curseforge.com/minecraft/mc-mods/forge-server-starter/issues

Discord

Join the community Discord server:

https://discord.gg/tuzpmeZ

Credits

• rex2630 — Java compatibility, restart functionality, loader updates, and installer improvements
• DerErizzle — Legacy Minecraft 1.7.10 support

Forge Server Starter is not affiliated with Mojang Studios or Microsoft.