Running a Hytale server requires knowing the essential admin commands. This reference guide covers player management, server configuration, authentication, and moderation tools.
Accessing the Server Console
Docker Servers
docker compose attach hytale
To detach without stopping: Press Ctrl-p then Ctrl-q
Direct Installation
Access the terminal/command window where the server is running.
Authentication Commands
Server authentication is required for players to connect.
Initial Setup
# Enable persistent authentication (recommended)
/auth persistence Encrypted
# Start device authentication flow
/auth login device
After running /auth login device, you'll receive a URL and code. Complete authentication in your browser.
Authentication Status
# Check current authentication status
/auth status
# View authentication mode
/auth mode
Re-authentication
If authentication expires:
/auth login device
Follow the browser prompts to re-authenticate.
Player Management
Listing Players
# Show all online players
/players list
# Show player count
/players count
Kicking Players
# Kick a player by name
/kick [playername]
# Kick with reason
/kick [playername] "reason for kick"
Banning Players
# Ban a player
/ban [playername]
# Ban with reason
/ban [playername] "reason for ban"
# Temporary ban (if supported)
/tempban [playername] [duration] "reason"
# Unban a player
/unban [playername]
# View ban list
/banlist
Whitelisting
# Enable whitelist
/whitelist on
# Disable whitelist
/whitelist off
# Add player to whitelist
/whitelist add [playername]
# Remove from whitelist
/whitelist remove [playername]
# View whitelist
/whitelist list
Server Configuration
World Settings
# Set time of day
/time set [day/night/noon/midnight]
/time set [ticks]
# Toggle weather
/weather clear
/weather rain
/weather storm
Performance Commands
# View server performance
/tps
# View memory usage
/memory
# View loaded chunks
/chunks
# Force garbage collection
/gc
View Distance
# Set view distance (in chunks)
/viewdistance [number]
# Check current view distance
/viewdistance
Teleportation
Teleporting Players
# Teleport yourself to coordinates
/tp [x] [y] [z]
# Teleport to another player
/tp [targetplayer]
# Teleport a player to you
/tphere [playername]
# Teleport player to coordinates
/tp [playername] [x] [y] [z]
# Teleport player to another player
/tp [player1] [player2]
Game Mode Commands
# Change your game mode
/gamemode survival
/gamemode creative
/gamemode spectator
# Change another player's game mode
/gamemode [mode] [playername]
Item Commands (Creative/Admin)
# Give items to yourself
/give [itemid] [amount]
# Give items to a player
/give [playername] [itemid] [amount]
# Clear player inventory
/clear [playername]
World Management
Saving
# Force save the world
/save-all
# Disable auto-save (use before backup)
/save-off
# Re-enable auto-save
/save-on
Backup
# If backup commands are available
/backup create
/backup list
/backup restore [backupname]
Server Control
Stopping the Server
# Graceful shutdown
/stop
# Restart (if supported)
/restart
Announcements
# Broadcast message to all players
/say [message]
# Send message with formatting
/broadcast [message]
Permission Management
If your server uses a permissions system:
# List permissions
/permissions list
# Add permission to player
/permissions add [player] [permission]
# Remove permission
/permissions remove [player] [permission]
# Check player permissions
/permissions check [player]
Operator Commands
# Make a player an operator
/op [playername]
# Remove operator status
/deop [playername]
# List operators
/ops
Log and Debug
# View recent logs
/log
# Set log level
/loglevel [level]
# Debug mode toggle
/debug [on/off]
Mod-Related Commands
If running mods, additional commands may be available:
# List loaded mods
/mods list
# Reload mods (if supported)
/mods reload
# Mod-specific commands vary by mod
Command Syntax Notes
- Square brackets
[param]indicate required parameters - Angle brackets
<param>indicate optional parameters - Player names are case-sensitive
- Coordinates can be relative using
~(e.g.,~10 ~ ~10)
Common Command Scenarios
Setting Up a New Server
/auth persistence Encrypted
/auth login device
# Complete browser authentication
/whitelist on
/whitelist add [yourname]
Emergency Maintenance
/save-all
/say Server maintenance in 5 minutes
# Wait
/say Server going down NOW
/save-all
/stop
Dealing with a Problem Player
/kick [player] "Please read the rules"
# If behavior continues
/ban [player] "Rule violation: [reason]"
Performance Issues
/tps
/memory
/viewdistance 10
/gc
Configuration Files
Some settings require editing configuration files:
- server.properties - Core server settings
- whitelist.json - Whitelist entries
- banned-players.json - Ban list
- ops.json - Operator list
Location varies by installation method. For Docker, these are typically in the ./data volume.
For server setup instructions, see our Docker Server Guide. For networking help, check the Port Forwarding Guide.
