HostableHostable

Import an existing server

Manage a server you already set up by hand, without moving or re-owning its files.

If you already run a server from a folder (a modpack in /home/you/cobbleverse, a Palworld install, ...), Hostable can manage it in place.

sudo hostable import minecraft "Cobbleverse" /home/you/cobbleverse

Use --dry-run first to see what it will do.

What import does

  • Detects the game from its files (server.properties for Minecraft, PalServer.sh for Palworld, the ARK binary).
  • Reads the real port from the server's config, and the RCON port and password if RCON is on, so the console and safe restarts work immediately.
  • Writes a systemd unit that runs the server as the folder's current owner. Files are not moved or re-owned.
  • Uses your own launch script (start.sh or run.sh) when there is one, so your memory flags and tweaks are kept.
  • Opens the server's firewall port.

What import does not do

  • It does not enable or start the new unit. If your old service is still running, both would fight over the same port. Stop and disable the old service, then run hostable start cobbleverse.
  • It refuses folders owned by root, system folders like /etc or /home, and anything that does not look like a server.

TIP

Moving from a hand-made setup: sudo systemctl disable --now old-service, import, hostable start <name>, then check hostable doctor <name>.

Names

The name you give becomes the server id (Cobbleverse becomes cobbleverse, spaces turn into dashes). Names may contain letters, digits, spaces, -, _ and ..