Why you can't skip updates
Right now, the Hytale client and server must be on the same protocol version. As soon as players' games update, a server still on the old version turns them away. Hypixel has announced a ±2 version tolerance for the future; until it exists, staying current is part of running the server. Version mismatch.
How the built-in updater works
It checks
Every hour by default (
CheckIntervalSeconds: 3600), and it can warn players when an update is available.It downloads
To
updater/staging/, while the server keeps running.It applies
The server stops with exit code 8.
It restarts
The start scripts swap in the new files and start it again, keeping config, saves and mods.
Choosing when updates apply
| AutoApplyMode | What happens | Good for |
|---|---|---|
Disabled (default) | Only when you run /update apply --confirm | Admins who want full control |
WhenEmpty | As soon as nobody is online | Most community servers |
Scheduled | Players are warned, then it applies after AutoApplyDelayMinutes (30 by default) | Busy servers that are never empty |
The commands you'll actually use
| Command | When |
|---|---|
/update check | To see if there's a new version |
/update status | To see what the updater is doing |
/update apply --confirm | To apply a staged update now |
/update cancel | To drop a staged update |
A routine that keeps updates boring
- Back up first. The updater can back up before applying (
RunBackupBeforeUpdate), but a panel backup is the copy that survives anything. Backups before updates. - Read the console after. Mods built for the old version are the usual casualties.
- Move broken mods out, put them back later. Players get the server back now and the mod when its author catches up. Crash after an update.
- Tell your players. A short note in your Discord saves a lot of «is the server down?».
Release or pre-release
The server can follow the release patchline, which is what nearly all players have, or pre-release, which gets versions earlier. On our servers it's the «Patchline» startup option. Unless you're testing a plugin, stay on release: a pre-release server only accepts pre-release players. Patchlines.
If you remember one thing
Let the server follow the game, set AutoApplyMode to WhenEmpty, and never update without a backup. That's all Early Access asks of you.
Questions people ask
The built-in updater downloads updates on its own; apply them with /update apply --confirm or let AutoApplyMode do it.
The server has to be on the same version as their game. Update the server.
Not if your players update their game: client and server must match exactly for now.
No. The updater keeps config, saves and mods. Still, back up before every update.
About this article: It comes from what I have learned running EnduranceNodes, and it is published here first. We sell Minecraft hosting, so everything I say about us can be checked on this site, and I point out where we are not the best fit.
