ClassiCubeHow to Host a ClassiCube Server with MCGalaxy (2026 Guide)
Host a ClassiCube server with MCGalaxy: download, first start, server.properties, TCP port 25565, the classicube.net list and making yourself owner.
Updated Oct 7, 2026 · 6 min read
On this page
To host a ClassiCube server, download MCGalaxy from its GitHub releases, unzip it, and run MCGalaxyCLI.exe (on Linux, mono MCGalaxyCLI.exe). The first start creates properties/server.properties, a main world and the default ranks. Open TCP port 25565, set public = true so the server sends its heartbeat to classicube.net, and give yourself the Owner rank from the console with /setrank yourname owner.
ClassiCube is small and old school by design, and that is its charm: the client is free, runs in a browser, and a server for a whole community fits in a gigabyte of memory. This guide covers the self hosted route from download to your first public listing.
What you need
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Server software | MCGalaxy, the most used ClassiCube server, from github.com/ClassiCube/MCGalaxy |
| Runtime | .NET Framework 4 on Windows (already on Windows 10 and 11), Mono on Linux and macOS |
| Port | 25565 TCP by default, set with port in server.properties |
| Memory | Very little. A few small worlds run in well under 1 GB |
| Players | A free classicube.net account each, to join from the launcher or the web client |
MCGalaxy comes in two flavours inside the same zip: MCGalaxy.exe opens a window with a log, player list and map list, and MCGalaxyCLI.exe runs in a plain console. Use the CLI build on any machine you do not sit in front of, and always on Linux.
Step 1: Download and start MCGalaxy
- Open the MCGalaxy releases page and download the zip from the latest release.
- Unzip it into its own folder, for example
C:\ClassiCube\serveror/home/cc/server. - Start it:
# Windows, in the server folder
MCGalaxyCLI.exe
# Linux, after installing mono-complete
mono MCGalaxyCLI.exe
On the first run MCGalaxy creates its folders: properties for config, levels for worlds, ranks for who holds which rank, text for messages and rules, and plugins and extra for everything else. It generates a flat main world, which is where players spawn.
Stop the server with /stop in the console before you edit any config, so it does not save over your changes on shutdown.
Step 2: Set up server.properties
Open properties/server.properties in a text editor. These are the lines that matter on day one:
server-name = My Classic Builds
motd = Freebuild, parkour and Zombie Survival
port = 25565
public = true
max-players = 16
max-guests = 14
verify-names = true
default-rank = guest
main-name = main
support-web-client = true
| Key | Default | What it does |
|---|---|---|
server-name |
[MCGalaxy] Default |
The name on the classicube.net server list |
motd |
Welcome! |
Message shown while players load in |
port |
25565 |
The TCP port players connect to |
public |
false |
true lists the server on classicube.net |
max-players |
16 |
Total player cap |
max-guests |
14 |
Cap on players with the Guest rank, which is easy to forget when you raise max-players |
verify-names |
true |
Checks each player's name against classicube.net so nobody can pretend to be you |
main-name |
main |
The world players spawn in |
support-web-client |
true |
Lets players join from the browser at classicube.net |
Leave verify-names on for any server that is reachable from the internet. With it off, anyone can type your name in a client and walk in with your rank.
Step 3: Open the port
ClassiCube uses a single TCP port for the game, and the web client connects through the same port. On a home connection, forward TCP 25565 (or whatever you set as port) from your router to the PC running the server, and allow it through the firewall:
netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="MCGalaxy" dir=in action=allow protocol=TCP localport=25565
Router menus differ by brand, and the general walkthrough is in how to port forward a game server. If your provider puts you behind CGNAT, forwarding will not help, and a hosted server is the practical way around it.
Step 4: Check the heartbeat
Start the server again and watch the log. With public = true, MCGalaxy sends a heartbeat to classicube.net about every 30 seconds. When classicube.net accepts it, the log prints:
Server URL found: http://www.classicube.net/server/play/...
The same link is saved in text/externalurl.txt. Anyone who opens it in a browser can play straight away. If you see Error while finding URL. Is the port open? instead, classicube.net could not reach your port. The full list of listing problems and their fixes is in ClassiCube server not showing on the server list.
Step 5: Make yourself owner
Join your own server, then in the server console type:
/setrank YourName owner
MCGalaxy's default ranks, from lowest to highest, are Banned, Guest, Builder, AdvBuilder, Operator, Admin and Owner. Because admin-verification is on by default, Operator and above must protect their rank with a password. The first time you join after ranking up, set one with /setpass yourpassword, and after that type /pass yourpassword each time you log in before you can use commands or build. It stops someone who steals your name on an unverified login from using your powers.
For the rest of the day to day commands, from new worlds to bans and minigames, see MCGalaxy commands for ClassiCube server owners.
Step 6: Add worlds
Make a second world from the console or in game:
/newlvl build 128 64 128 flat
/goto build
The arguments are name, width, height, length and theme. Standard themes include flat, pixel, empty, space and rainbow, and /help newlvl themes lists the rest, including natural terrain generators. Worlds save to levels/ as .lvl files, so backing up that folder backs up every build.
Keeping it running
A ClassiCube server is only listed while it is online and heartbeating. If it runs on your own PC, it disappears from the list the moment the PC sleeps or restarts, and so do your regulars. Running MCGalaxyCLI.exe as a service or in a screen or tmux session on an always on Linux box keeps it up. MCGalaxy also checks for updates on start (check-updates = true) and tells you in the log when a new release is out, which you install by stopping the server and replacing the program files, keeping your levels, properties, ranks and text folders.
The easy option
If you would rather skip port forwarding and keeping a PC on, a GamezServers ClassiCube server runs MCGalaxy for you. It is listed on classicube.net from the first start, the panel sets the server name, MOTD and MCGalaxy version, and the live console takes /setrank and every other command. Worlds, ranks and plugins are in the file manager and over SFTP, with one click backups. A small community needs about 1 GB, which keeps it one of the cheapest games to host a server for, and you can split the bill with friends.
FAQ
Is a ClassiCube server free to run?
The software is. MCGalaxy and the ClassiCube client are both free and open source. The only cost is the machine it runs on and keeping it online.
What port does a ClassiCube server use?
TCP 25565 by default, set with port in properties/server.properties. The web client uses the same port.
Can Minecraft Java players join a ClassiCube server?
No. ClassiCube speaks the Minecraft Classic protocol, which modern Minecraft clients do not support. Players need the ClassiCube client or the browser version on classicube.net.
Why does my server say "Server has reached max number of guests"?
max-guests caps players with the Guest rank and defaults to 14. Raise it in server.properties along with max-players, or promote regulars to Builder.
Where are ClassiCube worlds saved?
In the levels folder as .lvl files, one per world. Back that folder up with ranks and properties and you can rebuild the server anywhere.
Skip the setup. Your own ClassiCube server.
Then $2.99/mo. Just trying it? $0.75 for 3 days
Minecraft