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This guide walks you through creating and managing your first game server using StellarStack.

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Before You Begin

Before creating a game server, ensure you have:
StellarStack uses nodes (physical or virtual machines) to host game servers. Each node runs the Rust daemon that manages Docker containers.You need at least one node configured in your panel. If you haven’t set up a node yet, see the Node Management documentation.
The daemon requires Docker to create and manage game server containers.Verify Docker is running on your node:
docker --version
docker ps
Check that your node has available:
  • CPU - At least 1-2 cores per game server
  • Memory - Minimum 2-4GB RAM (varies by game)
  • Disk - At least 10-20GB free space
  • Ports - Available ports for game server and SFTP

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Creating a Game Server

1

Navigate to server creation

From the dashboard, click the Create Server button or navigate to Servers > Create New.
2

Choose a blueprint

Select a game server blueprint from the available options:
  • Minecraft (Java Edition)
  • Minecraft Bedrock
  • Terraria
  • Valheim
  • Rust
  • ARK: Survival Evolved
  • Custom (bring your own Docker image)
Blueprints are pre-configured templates that include the game server software, default settings, and resource recommendations.
Click Select on your chosen blueprint.
3

Configure server details

Fill in the basic server information:Server Name
  • A friendly name for your server (e.g., “My Minecraft Server”)
  • This is only visible in the panel
Server Description (optional)
  • Additional notes about the server
  • Helpful for identifying server purpose
Node Selection
  • Choose which node will host this server
  • Only nodes with sufficient resources will be shown
Location (if you have multiple)
  • Select the geographical location/datacenter
  • Affects latency for players
4

Allocate resources

Configure the server’s resource limits:CPU Limit
  • Percentage of CPU cores available to the server
  • Default: 100% (recommended: 100-200% for multi-core)
Memory Limit
  • Maximum RAM the server can use
  • Minimum recommendations:
    • Minecraft Java: 2-4GB
    • Minecraft Bedrock: 1-2GB
    • Terraria: 512MB-1GB
    • Valheim: 4-6GB
Disk Space
  • Maximum storage for server files
  • Includes world saves, plugins, and backups
  • Recommended: 10-20GB minimum
Setting limits too low will cause the server to crash or perform poorly. Follow the blueprint’s recommended values.
5

Configure network settings

Set up the server’s network configuration:Primary Port
  • The main game server port (auto-assigned by default)
  • Can manually specify if needed
Additional Ports (if required by game)
  • Some games need multiple ports (e.g., RCON, query)
  • These are typically configured automatically
SFTP Port
  • Port for file transfer access
  • Auto-assigned per server
StellarStack automatically allocates available ports from your node’s port range. Manual allocation is only needed for specific requirements.
6

Set startup configuration

Customize the server’s startup parameters:Docker Image
  • Pre-filled based on blueprint
  • Example: itzg/minecraft-server:java21
Startup Command
  • The command executed when the server starts
  • Pre-configured by blueprint
  • Can be customized for advanced usage
Environment Variables
  • Game-specific settings (difficulty, max players, world seed, etc.)
  • Populated with blueprint defaults
  • Modify as needed for your server
Common Minecraft environment variables:
EULA=TRUE
VERSION=1.20.4
MAX_PLAYERS=20
DIFFICULTY=normal
MODE=survival
MOTD=Welcome to my server!
7

Review and create

Review your configuration:
  • Server name and description
  • Node and location
  • Resource allocations
  • Port assignments
  • Startup settings
Click Create Server to provision the server.
Server creation typically takes 30-60 seconds. The daemon will:
  1. Pull the Docker image (if not cached)
  2. Create the container
  3. Allocate ports and resources
  4. Initialize the server

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Starting Your Server

Once created, the server will appear in your server list with a Stopped status.
1

Navigate to server console

Click on your server in the server list to open the server management page.
2

Start the server

Click the Start button in the control panel.The server status will change:
  • Starting - Container is being created
  • Running - Server is online
You’ll see real-time console output as the server initializes.
3

Monitor startup process

Watch the console for:
  • Game server initialization
  • World generation (first start may take longer)
  • “Server started” or “Ready” message
Example Minecraft output:
[Server] Starting minecraft server version 1.20.4
[Server] Preparing level "world"
[Server] Done (15.235s)! For help, type "help"

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Connecting to Your Server

  1. Open Minecraft Java Edition
  2. Click Multiplayer
  3. Click Add Server
  4. Enter:
    • Server Name: Any name you want
    • Server Address: your-node-ip:port
  5. Click Done and connect
Example:
192.168.1.100:25565
Your server’s IP address and port are shown in the panel under Connection Details.

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Basic Server Management

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Power Controls

Control your server’s state from the console:
  • Start - Boot up the server
  • Stop - Gracefully shut down (sends stop command, waits, then kills container)
  • Restart - Stop and start in sequence
  • Kill - Force stop (immediate termination, may cause data loss)
Use Kill only when the server is unresponsive. Always prefer Stop for graceful shutdown.

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Console Commands

Send commands to your server through the console: Minecraft commands: 
say Welcome to the server!
op PlayerName
whitelist add PlayerName
difficulty hard
time set day
General server commands: 
stop          # Gracefully stop the server
help          # List available commands
list          # Show online players

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Resource Monitoring

Monitor your server’s resource usage in real-time:
  • CPU Usage - Current CPU percentage
  • Memory Usage - RAM consumption vs. limit
  • Network I/O - Incoming/outgoing bandwidth
  • Disk Usage - Storage consumption
Resource graphs update every few seconds via WebSocket.

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Next Steps

File Manager

Edit server files and configurations

Backups

Set up automated backups

Subusers

Invite friends with custom permissions

Task Scheduler

Automate server tasks

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Troubleshooting

Check:
  • Console output for error messages
  • Node has sufficient resources available
  • Docker is running on the node
  • Ports are available and not in use
  • Environment variables are correctly set
Common issues:
  • Missing EULA=TRUE for Minecraft
  • Insufficient memory allocation
  • Port conflicts with other servers
Verify:
  • Server is in Running state
  • Server has fully initialized (check console)
  • Using correct IP address and port
  • Firewall rules allow the port
  • Game version matches server version
Test connection:
# Check if port is open
telnet your-node-ip port
Potential causes:
  • Insufficient CPU or memory
  • Too many players for allocated resources
  • Large world size
  • Heavy plugin/mod usage
Solutions:
  • Increase resource limits
  • Reduce render distance
  • Remove unnecessary plugins
  • Optimize world with tools
If you have backups:
  1. Go to Backups tab
  2. Find the latest backup
  3. Click Restore
  4. Restart the server
Prevention:
  • Enable automatic backups (recommended: daily)
  • Set backup retention policy
  • Periodically download important backups

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