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

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

Requirements

Hardware (Self-Hosting)

Software

• Java 25 (required)
• HytaleServer.jar (from Hytale)
• Assets.zip (game assets)

Initial Setup

Step 1: Download Server Files

1. Download HytaleServer.jar from official source
2. Download Assets.zip (game assets)
3. 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

1. Copy the URL and code shown
2. Visit URL in browser
3. Enter code to authenticate
4. 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
}

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

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)

1. Access router admin (usually 192.168.1.1)
2. Find Port Forwarding section
3. 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

Hosting Options

Self-Hosting

VPS Hosting

Recommended VPS:

• Hetzner, OVH, Linode, DigitalOcean

Game Server Hosts

Popular Hosts:

• BisectHosting, Apex, Shockbyte, PebbleHost

Common Commands

Troubleshooting

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

Resources

• Official Manual: Hytale Server Manual
• Plugin Development: See hytale-plugin-dev skill
• Team Workflow: See git-workflow skill