A Luanti server for friends is easier to manage when you decide the game, world, access rules and backup routine before sharing the address.
This page focuses on running a small friends-only server. Detailed Linux installation, SFTP and world-transfer commands remain in the separate game-server setup guide.
Luanti Server Setup Steps
Choose the Game
Pick the playable game before creating the world.
Keep Access Private
Decide who receives the address and how new players join.
Add Only Needed Mods
Start small and check every dependency.
Back Up the Whole Setup
Protect the world, game, mods and configuration together.
Use the main setup guide for installing Luanti, moving an existing world and adding files through SFTP.
Open the Luanti installation section →Understand the Engine, Game and Mods
Luanti is the engine. A game supplies the basic gameplay, blocks, items and rules. Mods add optional features to that game. These three parts are related, but they are not interchangeable.
Luanti Engine
Runs the server and loads the selected world.
Installed Game
Provides the main playable experience.
Optional Mods
Add selected features and may require dependencies.
Choose a maintained game that suits the group. Record its name and version before adding any mods.
Keep a Friends-Only Server Private
Do not advertise the server publicly when it is intended only for people you know. Share the address privately, use the access controls supported by the chosen setup and review new accounts.
Friends-Only Server
Private address sharing, clear account rules and a small trusted player group.
Public Server
Needs moderation, abuse controls, public rules and more regular monitoring.
A password alone does not replace account review, sensible privileges and backups.
Create a New World or Use an Existing One
A new world is the simplest route. Select the intended game and create the world before inviting anyone. When using an existing Luanti or Minetest world, keep the matching game, required mods and complete world data together.
Make a backup of the original world and test the server with a copied version first.
The transfer commands and directory checks are covered in the Luanti setup section.
Check the Port Before Sending Invitations
Luanti commonly uses UDP port 30000, but the active server configuration is the source of truth. The Linux firewall, hosting firewall and any Pterodactyl allocation must all use the same port and protocol.
- Confirm the server is listening on the expected port.
- Test from a different internet connection.
- Send friends the public hostname or IP and the correct port.
- Do not send SSH or administrator credentials.
Give Players Only the Access They Need
Keep administrator and server-control access separate from normal gameplay. Grant extra privileges only when a player needs them, and remove them when the task is complete.
- Choose who can build, teleport or moderate.
- Use protection tools supported by the game or mods.
- Write simple rules before disagreements occur.
- Keep one tested administrator recovery account.
Install One Small Group of Mods at a Time
Check that each mod supports the selected game and Luanti version. Read the dependency list, back up the world and test after every change.
- Use maintained sources such as ContentDB or the project repository.
- Keep a list of enabled mods and versions.
- Read the server log after startup.
- Remove a failed change before adding another one.
Back Up the World, Game, Mods and Settings
A useful recovery copy includes the world, server configuration, selected game, enabled mods and player data needed by the setup. Keep at least one copy away from the live server.
- Back up before engine, game or mod updates.
- Stop or save the world cleanly first.
- Keep several dated recovery points.
- Test a restore with a copied world.
Check the Full Join and Play Journey
- Connect from outside the server network.
- Create or use a normal player account.
- Confirm the correct world and game load.
- Check building, protection and required privileges.
- Restart the server and confirm the world returns correctly.
- Make and verify a backup before inviting the full group.
Choose VPS or VDS for Luanti
A small friends-only Luanti server normally suits a flexible VPS. Consider VDS when the world, mods or simultaneous activity create sustained CPU demand and predictable dedicated vCPU resources become important.