Minecraft server commands let administrators manage players, permissions, worlds, weather, difficulty, inventories, and performance from the console or in-game chat. Every owner should understand op, whitelist, ban, kick, tp, gamemode, gamerule, save-all, and stop.
This guide groups commands by administrative task and calls out differences between Java, Bedrock, and Paper. Syntax can change by edition, version, or plugin. Use /help command in game or help command in the console to confirm what your running server accepts.
How to run Minecraft server commands
- In chat: include the slash, such as
/list, and hold sufficient permissions. - In the console: omit the slash, such as
list. The console has administrative privileges. - From a command block: enable command blocks and use edition-compatible syntax. Not every administrative command belongs in a command block.
- Through RCON: remote administration is possible, but it requires a strong password, firewall rules, and restricted access.
Test destructive operations on a separate instance and back up the world before using fill, clone, kill, worldborder, or mass selectors. A valid command aimed at the wrong target remains a perfectly valid disaster.
Essential commands for server owners
| Command | Purpose | Java example |
|---|---|---|
/op | Grants operator status | /op Mizael |
/deop | Removes operator status | /deop Mizael |
/list | Lists connected players | /list |
/whitelist on | Enables Java's access list | /whitelist on |
/whitelist add | Allows one player | /whitelist add Alex |
/kick | Disconnects without banning | /kick Alex Spam |
/ban | Bans an account name | /ban Alex Griefing |
/pardon | Removes a player ban | /pardon Alex |
/save-all | Saves worlds and data | /save-all flush |
/stop | Saves and shuts down cleanly | /stop |
Current Bedrock documentation uses /allowlist for its access list. Microsoft maintains an official Bedrock command reference with permission levels and cheat requirements. Do not copy Java syntax into Bedrock blindly.
Permissions, the allowlist, and operators
op Administrator
deop Administrator
whitelist on
whitelist add Player
whitelist remove Player
whitelist list
whitelist reload
Operator status grants broad powers; it is not a proper staff-ranking system. On Paper, use a permissions plugin such as LuckPerms and grant only the required capabilities. Compare our recommended Minecraft server plugins.
Enable the whitelist before sharing a private Java server address. Bedrock Dedicated Server uses its own allowlist and permission tooling.
Player moderation commands
| Action | Command | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Kick | /kick player reason | The player can reconnect |
| Ban name | /ban player reason | Depends on correct authentication and identity handling |
| List bans | /banlist players | Java also maintains an IP list |
| Unban | /pardon player | Removes a name ban |
| Ban IP | /ban-ip IP-or-player | Can affect unrelated users sharing an address |
| Unban IP | /pardon-ip IP | Use the exact address |
| Private message | /tell player message | Common aliases include /msg and /w |
| Global message | /say message | Appears as a server message |
Offline-mode servers do not validate account names through official authentication and can permit impersonation. Understand online-mode=false before moderating one.
Teleportation, location, and spawn
/tp Alex Steve
/tp Alex 100 70 -250
/spawnpoint Alex 100 70 -250
/setworldspawn 0 80 0
/locate structure minecraft:stronghold
/spreadplayers 0 0 50 500 false @a
/tpor/teleportmoves entities. Check dimension, coordinates, and height before moving everyone./spawnpointchanges an individual player's respawn point./setworldspawnchanges the world's default spawn./locatefinds version-supported structures or biomes./spreadplayersdistributes players and can launch a survival event, but test mass selectors first.
Game mode, difficulty, time, and weather
| Goal | Example |
|---|---|
| Survival mode | /gamemode survival Alex |
| Creative mode | /gamemode creative Alex |
| Hard difficulty | /difficulty hard |
| Set daytime | /time set day |
| Add time | /time add 1000 |
| Clear weather | /weather clear 600 |
| Thunderstorm | /weather thunder 300 |
Duration values and some units depend on edition and version. Confirm them with /help weather or the relevant official reference.
Useful gamerules
/gamerule keepInventory true
/gamerule mobGriefing false
/gamerule doDaylightCycle false
/gamerule doWeatherCycle false
/gamerule doMobSpawning true
/gamerule doFireTick false
/gamerule playersSleepingPercentage 50
/gamerule announceAdvancements false
Gamerules change mechanics for a world or dimension according to the server implementation. Microsoft documents current Bedrock rules such as keepInventory, mobGriefing, doMobSpawning, and doFireTick in its official gamerule reference. Java may expose additional rules or different capitalization.
Items, experience, and effects
/give Alex minecraft:diamond 3
/clear Alex minecraft:dirt
/xp add Alex 10 levels
/effect give Alex minecraft:speed 60 1 true
/effect clear Alex
/enchant Alex minecraft:unbreaking 3
/recipe give Alex *
Modern Java item identifiers and components can change between releases. Bedrock's /give syntax follows a separate reference. When an old video command fails, verify the server version and run /help give.
Building and world-editing commands
/setblock 10 64 10 minecraft:stone
/fill 0 64 0 20 70 20 minecraft:air
/clone 0 64 0 10 70 10 100 64 100
/summon minecraft:zombie 0 65 0
/kill @e[type=minecraft:item,distance=..20]
Manage your server from a complete control panel
Launch a Minecraft server and control its console, files, software, and resources from anywhere.
Back up first. /fill and /clone can replace thousands of blocks, while /kill @e can remove far more than intended. Narrow the selector, verify coordinates, and begin in a test area.
Target selectors: @p, @a, @r, @e, and @s
@p: nearest player.@a: all players.@r: random player.@e: all matching entities.@s: the command executor.
/tp @a[x=0,y=64,z=0,distance=..20] 100 70 100
/effect give @a[tag=event] minecraft:glowing 30 0 true
/kill @e[type=minecraft:item,distance=..10]
Filter syntax differs between Java and Bedrock. Never run a destructive global selector unless you can explain exactly what it matches.
World borders, data, and automation in Java
/worldborder center 0 0
/worldborder set 10000
/worldborder warning distance 50
/scoreboard objectives add deaths deathCount
/tag Alex add staff
/execute as @a at @s run particle minecraft:happy_villager ~ ~1 ~
/function mypack:start
/schedule function mypack:restart 10m
/datapack list
/reload
/execute is extremely powerful and its syntax has changed over time. Datapacks let you maintain versioned function files instead of enormous command-block chains.
/reload reloads Vanilla datapacks and functions. It is not a safe universal plugin reload; Paper warns that reload operations can leave inconsistent plugin state. A clean restart is normally safer for plugin changes.
Saving and stopping the server
/save-all flush
/save-off
/save-on
/stop
/save-all flushrequests a save and flush to disk on Java./save-offdisables automatic saving; use it only in a controlled procedure and always restore/save-on./stopperforms a clean shutdown. Do not power off the machine or kill Java before completion.
A consistent backup requires more than compressing files while the world changes. Coordinate a save, snapshot, or clean stop and test restoration.
Paper performance commands
Paper adds commands not present in Vanilla. Its official command documentation covers version, plugins, chunks, and profiling.
/version
/plugins
/tps
/mspt
/spark tps
/spark profiler start --timeout 600
/paper dumpplugins
/paper chunkinfo
/tpsreports ticks per second./msptreports milliseconds per tick; sustained values near or above 50 ms prevent the server from maintaining 20 TPS./spark profiler start --timeout 600captures ten minutes of the active problem.
Review a report for sensitive data before sharing it. Use our complete Minecraft spark troubleshooting workflow.
Bedrock-only or different commands
Bedrock exposes commands and permission levels that do not map directly to Java, including /allowlist, /setmaxplayers, /transfer, /tickingarea, and dedicated-server save controls. Some require Cheats, Owner, Admin, or Game Directors. Check Microsoft's official command list.
/allowlist add Player
/setmaxplayers 20
/transfer Player server.example.com 19132
/tickingarea list
/save hold
/save query
/save resume
Availability depends on version and context. A Bedrock command will not necessarily exist in Java, and a Java plugin does not automatically add Bedrock support.
Common command errors
- Unknown or incomplete command: incorrect syntax, version, or namespace.
- You do not have permission: missing operator status or plugin permission.
- Player not found: incorrect name, edition, connection state, or selector.
- No targets matched: no entities met the selector filters.
- Works in console but not chat: check the leading slash and permissions.
- A plugin shadows a Vanilla command: use a namespace such as
/minecraft:giveor the plugin namespace where supported.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get permission to use server commands?
Run op YourName from the console. For granular Paper permissions, use LuckPerms instead of granting operator status to the entire staff.
Do console commands use a slash?
Normally, no. Use / in chat; enter list, stop, or the raw command directly in the console.
How do I list every installed command?
Use /help and its pages, or help in the console. Paper's /plugins also identifies extensions that may register commands.
What is the command to restart a server?
Vanilla has no universal safe restart command. Run stop and let the panel or service manager start the process again. /restart depends on Paper/Spigot and its configuration.
How do I enable commands?
Administrative commands are available in the console. In-game use requires operator status or permissions. Java command blocks require enable-command-block=true.
Are commands identical in Java and Bedrock?
No. They share concepts, but selectors, permissions, names, and arguments can differ. Verify the reference for the running edition and version.
