Craftopia Server Admin Commands and How to Use Them

Craftopia’s admin commands run on the dedicated server, not in ordinary single-player chat. Open the terminal attached to the running server (or your host’s web console), enter help -a to see the commands supported by that exact build, and use list before moderating anyone. The current command set covers player messaging, kicks and bans, admission locking, diagnostics, version checks and a controlled shutdown. Command names and ban-removal syntax have changed between releases, so the server’s own help output is the authority.

This guide gives the current command reference, safe moderation procedures, console locations, installation prerequisites, configuration context and fixes for the common cases where an older command list no longer works.

What are Craftopia server admin commands?

They are text commands interpreted by a running Craftopia dedicated server. They affect the server process and everyone connected to it: you can announce maintenance, message one player, remove a player, block an address, close new admissions, inspect performance and stop the process cleanly.

They are not a cheat menu for a normal local world. Typing a command into a player chat box, SteamCMD, or a stopped server process will not execute it. A dedicated server must be installed, configured and running, and you must have access to its console or an authorized hosting panel.

PocketPair’s September 30, 2021 update introduced the console interface and explained that typing help in the console displays the available commands. Current provider documentation, updated in 2026, exposes a larger list and recommends help -a so you see every command supported by your installed build rather than relying on a post written for a different version.

Where do I enter Craftopia commands?

Self-hosted Windows or Linux server

Start the dedicated-server executable and leave its terminal window open. On Linux, the community setup guide runs the process as ./Craftopia.x86_64; commands are entered in that live process window. On Windows, use the console window opened by the dedicated-server executable or the service wrapper you configured. The prompt may not look like a traditional shell: type the command, press Enter, and watch the same window for the response.

Do not enter commands in SteamCMD. SteamCMD downloads and updates the server files; it does not provide the in-game administration console. If you run the server as a background service, attach to the service’s log or terminal session using the method supplied by your service manager so that input reaches the Craftopia process.

Managed hosting web console

Open your provider’s control panel, select the Craftopia instance, choose Console, type the command and press Enter. Game Host Bros documents this exact flow. The command output should appear in the panel immediately; if the panel only shows logs and has no input box, you are viewing a read-only log and need the provider’s interactive console or an RCON-style feature if that host supplies one.

What must be true before a command can work?

• The dedicated server is installed and currently running.
• You are operating the server process, not a client game window.
• Your account or console session has the required operator permission.
• The server’s network port and firewall rules allow players to reach it after you change admission or restart it.
• You have a current backup of configuration and ban data before making broad changes.

What does help and help -a show?

help prints the first page of commands. help [n] prints a numbered page, while help -a prints the complete command inventory for the running build. Run help -a after every server update and copy the spelling and capitalization shown there. This is the fastest way to detect a command that was removed, renamed or restricted in your branch.

The table below follows the command set documented by Game Host Bros on August 13, 2026. If your local help output differs, use the local syntax instead.

Command	Syntax	Function	Typical use
help	help	Shows the first help page.	Start when you are unsure of a command.
help	help [n]	Shows page n.	Inspect a particular page of output.
help	help -a	Shows all commands available on the running build.	Refresh your reference after an update.
list	list	Lists players currently online and their server IDs.	Find the ID required by kick, ban and tell.
permission	permission	Displays the console operator’s permission level.	Check identity before a moderation action.
say	say [message]	Broadcasts a message to everyone online.	Give a maintenance or rules notice.
tell	tell [userId] [message]	Sends a private message to one player.	Warn or assist a specific user.
kick	kick [playerId]	Disconnects a player without creating a ban.	Temporary removal or a connection reset.
ban	ban [playerId]	Bans the selected player.	Persistent removal for rule violations.
banlist	banlist	Shows banned IP addresses.	Find the address that must be reversed.
pardon	pardon [address]	Removes a ban for an address.	Undo a mistaken or expired ban.
lock	lock	Stops new players from joining.	Close admissions during maintenance or an incident.
unlock	unlock	Reopens joining.	Return the server to normal admission.
creative	creative	Prints Creative Mode configuration guidance.	Check the settings needed for a Creative world.
fps	fps	Displays the server frame rate.	Look for a struggling or overloaded process.
cacheClear	cacheClear	Unloads unused assets from memory.	Perform diagnostic memory cleanup.
version	version	Displays the server version.	Compare the server build with client builds.
is_development	is_development	Reports whether a development build is running.	Identify a non-release installation.
stop	stop	Stops the server.	Shut down deliberately after warning players.

How do I kick, ban and unban a player?

Use a server ID for the action and an address for the reversal. First run list, copy the exact ID shown for the online player, and only then choose a temporary kick or a ban. banlist displays the banned IP addresses; pass the relevant address to pardon.

Temporary removal with kick

A kick disconnects the selected player but does not create a lasting block. It is appropriate for a warning, a stuck connection or a short disruption. The player can attempt to reconnect once the server accepts new joins and no other restriction applies.

Persistent removal with ban

A ban is intended for a continuing rule violation or a player you do not want to admit again. Because the command targets a player ID returned by list, do not guess from a display name or copy an ID from an old log. IDs can be reused or change between sessions.

Reversing a ban with pardon

Run banlist and identify the address that should be restored. Then use pardon [address], or the exact reversal syntax printed by your own help -a. BisectHosting documents the same operation as pardon IP. The historical official notes referred to an accept operation for BanList changes, so an old guide may show a command that your current build does not recognize.

What is the safest moderation workflow?

1. Verify the operator session. Run permission if you are not certain which account or permission level the console is using.
2. Identify the target. Run list and copy the exact player ID. Record the display name alongside it so you can audit the action.
3. Give notice when practical. Use say Server maintenance begins in five minutes. for a server-wide warning, or tell [userId] Please check the server rules. for a private message.
4. Choose the least severe action. Use kick [playerId] for a temporary removal. Use ban [playerId] only when you intend a persistent block.
5. Verify the result. Run banlist after a ban and confirm the expected address appears. If it is a mistake, use the address with pardon.
6. Document changes. Note the time, player ID, reason and command output in your server log or moderation record. This prevents a later operator from reversing the wrong address.

This sequence avoids the two common errors: targeting the wrong person because a display name was used, and attempting to pardon a player ID when the ban list expects an address.

How do lock and unlock control access?

lock closes the server to new joins; unlock reopens admission. They are admission controls, not disciplinary commands. A lock is useful before an update, while investigating an incident, or while preparing a maintenance window. It does not replace a ban, and a ban does not serve as a convenient way to pause all new connections.

A practical maintenance sequence is to announce the window with say, run lock, perform the work, check the process with version or fps, and run unlock only after the server is ready. If you stop the process instead, use stop after warning players so the shutdown is deliberate rather than an abrupt termination.

What do the diagnostic and configuration commands do?

Creative Mode guidance

creative prints configuration tips; it does not grant items, turn a normal player into an administrator, or transform an existing world by itself. PocketPair’s official notes place the relevant values under [GameWorld] in ServerSetting.ini: gameMode=1 is Normal Mode, gameMode=2 is Free Build Mode and gameMode=3 is Playable Mode. Edit the file while the server is stopped, keep a backup, and restart so the setting is read cleanly.

Performance and memory checks

Use fps to see the server frame rate when players report lag or simulation stalls. cacheClear unloads unused assets from memory and is a diagnostic cleanup, not a replacement for investigating inadequate RAM, overloaded CPU time or a leaking process. Capture the output before and after the command if you are comparing behavior.

Build and process state

version prints the installed server version, which is useful when a client cannot connect after an update. is_development identifies whether the process is a development build. A development branch can expose a different command set or behavior, so record this result when reporting a problem to a host or comparing two installations.

How do I install and configure a dedicated Craftopia server?

The console exists only after a dedicated-server installation. For a fresh Windows installation, IONOS documents these SteamCMD commands:

1. force_install_dir C:craftopia-server
2. login anonymous
3. app_update 1670340 validate

App ID 1670340 is the dedicated server application ID used in that setup. After the first launch, Craftopia generates ServerSetting.ini. The file can hold the game mode, server name, password, player count and related settings. Stop the server before editing it, preserve the original file, and restart to apply changes.

Ports and firewall rules

Port numbers are deployment-specific. IONOS lists a default firewall set that includes TCP 6587, UDP 6587 and Steam-related ranges, while the Linux community guide reports using UDP 6587 for its own VPS. Treat the port configured in your server settings and host firewall as authoritative; do not assume every host uses the same protocol or number.

When the configured port remains 6587, IONOS instructs players to open Multiplayer, choose Join via IP, and enter the server IP with port 6587. If you changed the port, append that configured value instead. A closed firewall, a mismatched port or a server bound to a private address will prevent a correct command setup from being reachable.

Hardware guidance

IONOS publishes an example minimum of a 2.4 GHz two-core CPU, 3 GB of RAM and 10 GB of disk for its 2025 Craftopia server guidance. Those are provider figures, not a PocketPair-certified specification. The Linux guide’s author needed 4 GB of RAM for a smooth VPS run; that is an individual setup observation, not a universal minimum. Leave headroom for the operating system, world growth, backups and the number of simultaneous players.

Why does a command fail, or why is a player still unable to connect?

The console says the command is unknown

Run version, then help -a. Compare the spelling, capitalization and arguments in the live output with the guide you followed. Do not add unsupported commands such as save, item spawning, teleport or god mode to a canonical list: they are not present in the current command table reviewed for this guide. If an older article shows accept, check whether your build instead exposes pardon.

The command is accepted but nothing changes

Check permission and make sure you are typing into the interactive server console rather than a read-only log. For player actions, run list again immediately before the command. A stale ID, a player who has already disconnected, or a typo in a multi-word message can make a valid command appear ineffective.

A ban cannot be reversed

Use banlist and copy the address exactly as printed. A pardon targets that address, not the player ID returned by list. If the command name differs, follow the syntax in help -a; the official 2021 documentation and current provider guides use different terminology for this operation.

Players cannot join after maintenance

Check whether you left the server locked by running unlock. Then verify that the process is running, the configured port is open on the host firewall, and clients are using the same port. Use version to identify a server update that may require matching client files.

The server is lagging or consuming memory

Capture fps output, try cacheClear as a diagnostic step, and review CPU and RAM usage at the operating-system level. If the process remains unstable, plan a controlled restart with say, lock and stop rather than repeatedly issuing gameplay commands.

Should I self-host or use managed hosting for command access?

Both approaches expose the same server-side command model, but they place different responsibilities on you.

Concern	Self-hosted machine or VPS	Managed Craftopia host
Operating-system and file control	Full control of the OS, executable, launch arguments and ServerSetting.ini.	Configuration is limited to the panel and files the provider exposes.
Updates and backups	You schedule SteamCMD updates, verify builds and create backups.	The provider may offer update and backup tools; confirm what is automatic and what is your responsibility.
Console access	Direct terminal or service-session access.	Usually a browser-based console; availability and retention of output vary by host.
Networking	You configure the firewall, port forwarding, public address and protection against abuse.	The host manages the network layer, but you still need to use the panel’s configured port and connection details.
Capacity	You choose CPU, RAM, disk and geographic region, then monitor headroom.	Plans set resource and player limits; check the provider’s limits for your target population.
Latency	Place the machine near most players and select your own network route.	Choose from the regions the provider offers; the cheapest location may not be closest.

Self-hosting is appropriate when you need operating-system access and are comfortable maintaining a firewall, updates and backups. A managed host is simpler when you mainly need an always-on process and a browser console, but confirm that the panel actually permits interactive commands and that you can export your configuration and ban data.

Which version of the command list should I trust?

Trust the output from the server you are operating. The official command capability dates to 2021, while the most complete current reference used here was updated in August 2026 and a separate moderation reference in March 2026. Those dates explain why older posts can accurately describe a command that no longer appears in your build.

Before reporting a bug or asking a host for help, save the output of version, is_development and help -a. Include the operating system, host type, configured port, the exact command entered and the response. This gives support staff enough information to distinguish a syntax change from a permissions, firewall or installation problem.

Pre-flight checklist for a new administrator

• Launch the dedicated server and confirm that its console accepts input.
• Run help -a and save the output with the server version.
• Run permission so you know which operator context is active.
• Test say with a short notice and verify that connected players receive it.
• Run list and record how player IDs are displayed before you need to moderate.
• Confirm that banlist and the local pardon syntax are available on your build.
• Write down whether your maintenance procedure uses lock/unlock or a full stop and restart.
• Back up ServerSetting.ini and ban data before editing configuration or changing access policy.
• Test a client connection using the configured IP and port from outside the host’s local network.

With those checks complete, the console becomes a predictable operations tool rather than a collection of copied commands. Use the live help output as your reference, identify players by server ID, distinguish address bans from admission locks, and make every disruptive action observable with a warning and a log entry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Craftopia admin commands case-sensitive?

Use the capitalization printed by your own help -a output. Commands such as cacheClear and is_development contain mixed or underscored spelling, so copying an all-lowercase variant can fail even when the command exists.

Can I run commands while the dedicated server is stopped?

No. The command interpreter belongs to the live server process. Start the executable first, then enter the command in its terminal or interactive hosting console; SteamCMD alone cannot execute administration commands.

Will a server restart remove bans?

Ban data is intended to persist: PocketPair’s official notes state that the ban list is loaded at launch and that ban changes are written to the ban file. If a restart appears to restore a banned player, inspect the active installation and confirm that the process is reading the same data directory you edited.

What information should I give support when a command is missing?

Provide the output of version, is_development and help -a, plus the exact command and error text. Also state whether the server is self-hosted or managed, because a web panel may expose a restricted command surface even when the underlying build supports more commands.

Does the creative command give players administrator powers?

No. It prints configuration guidance for Creative Mode. Game mode is selected through ServerSetting.ini; the command does not grant items, elevate permissions or convert a normal player into an operator.