Crafting Your Server Collection: Creating a Custom .servers File in .minecraft

29-Apr-2023

1. Understanding the .servers File:

   The .servers file is a configuration file within the .minecraft directory that allows you to create a custom list of Minecraft servers. This file lets you specify server addresses, names, and other details, making it easier to access your favorite servers without manually inputting their information each time you play.

2. Locating the .minecraft Directory:

   Before creating a custom .servers file, you need to locate the .minecraft directory on your computer. The directory's location varies depending on your operating system:

• For Windows: Press Win+R, then enter "%appdata%.minecraft" and press Enter.
• For macOS: Open Finder, press Command+Shift+G, then enter "~/Library/Application Support/minecraft" and press Go.
• For Linux: Open a file browser, navigate to "~/.minecraft".

1. Creating the .servers File:

   Inside the .minecraft directory, create a new text file and name it "servers.sfv" (without the quotation marks). This file extension is essential to ensure Minecraft recognizes it as a valid .servers file.

2. Editing the .servers File:

   Open the newly created .servers file with a text editor of your choice. Each line within the file represents a separate server entry and follows a specific format. Here's an example of how a server entry should look:

servername|address:port

Replace "servername" with the desired name you want to assign to the server, and "address:port" with the IP address and port number of the server you wish to add. For instance:

My Favorite Server|play.example.com:25565

You can add multiple server entries, one on each line, following the same format.

1. Saving and Relaunching Minecraft:

   Once you have added all the desired server entries to the .servers file, save the changes. Afterward, launch Minecraft and navigate to the multiplayer menu. You should see the custom server names you specified in the .servers file. Simply click on the server name to connect directly to it without needing to manually input the server address each time you want to play.

2. Updating the .servers File:

   Over time, you may want to add or remove servers from your collection. To update the .servers file, follow the same steps mentioned above. Open the file in a text editor, add or remove server entries as needed, and save the changes. Relaunch Minecraft, and your server collection will be updated accordingly.

3. Customizing Server Entries:

   Besides the server name and address, you can also customize other details for each server entry. For instance, you can specify a server description, add comments, or even assign server icons by modifying the .servers file accordingly. Minecraft's official website provides documentation on the available options and syntax for customizing server entries.