How to Set Up a Minecraft Server for Custom Items in 2025

Setting up a Minecraft server for custom content requires the right foundation. This guide walks you through the entire process, from downloading your server software to configuring it for plugins like Oraxen.

Choosing Your Server Software

Before installing any plugins, you need to choose the right server software. For custom items and resource packs, you want a server that supports plugins and handles resource pack distribution well.

Recommended: Paper

Paper is the most popular choice for plugin servers. It offers excellent performance, full plugin compatibility, and active development.

Paper benefits for custom content servers:

• Fast chunk loading for large resource packs
• Optimized entity handling for custom mobs
• Full Bukkit and Spigot plugin support
• Regular updates and bug fixes

Alternative: Purpur

If you want even more customization options, Purpur extends Paper with additional configuration. It includes fun features and more control over game mechanics.

Step 1: Download Your Server

Head to MCServerJars.com to download the latest server jar. The site provides direct downloads for Paper, Spigot, Purpur, and other server software.

1. Go to mcserverjars.com/paper
2. Select your Minecraft version (latest stable recommended)
3. Download the server jar

Step 2: Set Up Your Server

Create a new folder for your server and place the downloaded jar inside. Create a start script:

Windows (start.bat):

java -Xmx4G -Xms4G -jar server.jar --nogui
pause

Linux/Mac (start.sh):

#!/bin/bash
java -Xmx4G -Xms4G -jar server.jar --nogui

Run the script once. It will generate files and ask you to accept the EULA. Open eula.txt and change eula=false to eula=true.

Step 3: Configure for Custom Content

For servers running custom items and resource packs, optimize these settings:

server.properties

# Allow custom resource packs
resource-pack=
resource-pack-sha1=
require-resource-pack=false

# Increase view distance if you have the resources
view-distance=10
simulation-distance=8

paper-global.yml

Paper has options for resource pack handling. Oraxen will handle most of this automatically, but you can adjust timeouts if needed.

Step 4: Install Required Plugins

For Oraxen, you need:

1. CommandAPI - Download from the CommandAPI releases page
2. ProtocolLib (optional but recommended) - Enhances packet handling

Place both in your plugins folder before adding Oraxen.

Step 5: Add Oraxen

Download Oraxen and place it in your plugins folder. Restart the server.

Oraxen will generate its configuration files and start handling resource pack distribution. Check the console for the Polymath URL that players will use to download the pack.

Server Hardware Recommendations

For a server with custom content:

| Players | RAM | CPU | |---------|-----|-----| | 1-10 | 4GB | 2 cores | | 10-30 | 6GB | 4 cores | | 30-50 | 8GB | 4+ cores | | 50+ | 12GB+ | 6+ cores |

Custom items and resource packs add minimal overhead. Most of the work is done client-side after the pack downloads.

Hosting Options

You can run your server on:

• Home computer - Free but requires port forwarding
• VPS - Full control, $5-20/month
• Minecraft hosting - Easy setup, $5-30/month

For production servers with custom content, a VPS or dedicated Minecraft host is recommended for reliable uptime.

Next Steps

With your server running Paper and the prerequisites installed:

1. Install Oraxen from Polymart or SpigotMC
2. Check the Oraxen documentation for configuration
3. Create your first custom item

Your server is now ready for custom items, blocks, furniture, and armor with automatic resource pack generation.