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Hosting Panel Guide

Birdflop uses an enhanced version of Pterodactyl Panel for server management. This guide covers all panel features and how to use them effectively.

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Accessing the Panel

1

Navigate to Client Portal

Visit https://client.birdflop.com in your web browser
2

Log In

Enter your email address and password
3

Select Your Server

Click on your server name to open the control panel
The panel is fully responsive and works on mobile devices, tablets, and desktops.

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Panel Overview

The panel consists of several main tabs:
  • Console: Real-time server output and command input
  • Files: File manager for server files
  • Databases: MySQL database management
  • Schedules: Automated task scheduling
  • Users: Manage subusers and permissions
  • Backups: Create and restore backups
  • Network: Manage allocations and ports
  • Startup: Configure startup parameters
  • Settings: Server settings and egg management
  • Activity: View server activity logs

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Console Tab

The console tab provides real-time server monitoring and control.

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Server Controls

Start

Starts the server if it’s currently stopped

Restart

Gracefully restarts the server

Stop

Sends a stop command to shut down gracefully

Kill

Force kills the server process
Use Kill only if the server is frozen and won’t respond to Stop. It can cause data corruption.

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Resource Statistics

At the top of the console, you’ll see real-time statistics:
  • CPU Usage: Current CPU consumption
  • Memory Usage: RAM usage (out of allocated amount)
  • Disk Usage: Storage space used
  • Network: Current upload/download rates

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Console Commands

Send commands directly to your server: 
# Common Minecraft commands
say Hello, world!
op PlayerName
whitelist add PlayerName
timeout PlayerName 10m Reason
stop
Commands are sent as if typed by the console, so you don’t need to prefix them with /

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Console Features

  • Search: Use Ctrl+F to search console output
  • Auto-scroll: Automatically scrolls to newest messages
  • Copy: Select text to copy console output
  • Timestamps: Shows exact time of each log entry

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Files Tab

The file manager provides a web-based interface for managing server files.

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File Operations

  1. Navigate to the file you want to edit
  2. Click the file name
  3. Make your changes in the built-in editor
  4. Click Save Content at the top
Supported formats:
  • .txt, .yml, .yaml, .json
  • .properties, .conf, .cfg
  • .log, .md, .sh
The editor includes syntax highlighting for common file types.

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File Permissions

Right-click any file to view options:
  • Rename: Change file name
  • Move: Move to another directory
  • Copy: Create a duplicate
  • Download: Download to your computer
  • Delete: Permanently remove (cannot be undone)

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Important Directories

DirectoryPurpose
/Root server directory
/plugins/Server plugins (Paper/Spigot)
/mods/Server mods (Forge/Fabric)
/world/Main world data
/world_nether/Nether dimension
/world_the_end/End dimension
/logs/Server log files
/config/Mod/plugin configurations
Never modify files while the server is running unless absolutely necessary. Always stop the server first to prevent corruption.

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Settings Tab

The settings tab contains important server configuration options.

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Change Server Egg

The egg system allows you to switch between different server types quickly.
1

Navigate to Settings

Click the Settings tab in your server panel
2

Find Change Egg Section

Scroll down to the Change Egg section
3

Select New Egg

Choose from available eggs:
  • Paper: Recommended for most servers
  • Spigot: Plugin support (older)
  • Vanilla: Official Minecraft server
  • Forge: For modded servers
  • Fabric: Lightweight modding platform
  • Purpur: Paper with extra features
  • Velocity: Modern proxy server
  • BungeeCord: Legacy proxy server
4

Configure Reinstall Options

Choose whether to:
  • Reinstall server: Downloads fresh server files
  • Wipe Server Files: Deletes existing files
Enabling Wipe Server Files will permanently delete all server data including worlds, plugins, and configurations. Always backup first!
5

Confirm Change

Click Change Egg and wait for the process to complete

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What is an Egg?

An “egg” is a configuration template that defines everything needed for a specific game server:
  • Install Scripts: Commands to properly install the server
  • Startup Parameters: Arguments needed to run the server
  • Docker Environment: Docker image and environment settings
  • Configuration Files: Default configs and settings
Eggs make it easy to switch between server types without manual configuration. The egg system is unique to Pterodactyl Panel.

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Reinstall Server

The reinstall function downloads fresh server files:
  1. Click Reinstall Server button
  2. Confirm the action
  3. Wait for reinstall to complete
When to reinstall:
  • Server files are corrupted
  • You want to start fresh
  • Updating to a major new version
  • Switching server types
Reinstalling will delete the server JAR file but preserves your worlds and configs. Always backup first to be safe.

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Backups Tab

Create and manage server backups for data protection.

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Creating Backups

1

Navigate to Backups Tab

Click the Backups tab
2

Create New Backup

Click Create Backup button
3

Configure Backup

  • Name: Give your backup a descriptive name
  • Ignored Files: Optionally exclude files (e.g., *.log)
The backup process will start automatically
4

Wait for Completion

Backups appear in the list once complete

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Backup Features

  • 3 Manual Backups: Create up to 3 backups yourself
  • 3 Automated Backups: System creates automatic backups
  • Off-site Storage: Backups stored separately from server
  • Download: Download backups to your computer
  • Restore: Restore server to a backup state
  • Delete: Remove old backups to free space
Automated backups are created periodically by the system. You cannot control when they run, but they’re always available.

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Restoring Backups

Restoring a backup will overwrite all current server files with the backup contents. This cannot be undone.
1

Stop Your Server

Always stop the server before restoring a backup
2

Select Backup

Find the backup you want to restore
3

Click Restore

Click the restore icon next to the backup
4

Confirm

Confirm you want to restore
5

Wait for Completion

The restore process takes a few minutes
6

Start Server

Start your server once restore completes

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Startup Tab

Configure server startup parameters and variables.

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Common Startup Variables

VariablePurposeExample
Minecraft VersionServer version to run1.21.4
Build NumberSpecific build (Paper)latest
Server JAR FileJAR filenameserver.jar
Java VersionJava runtime version17 or 21
Most startup variables can be left at their defaults. Only change them if you know what you’re doing.

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Changing Minecraft Version

1

Go to Startup Tab

Click the Startup tab
2

Find Minecraft Version

Locate the Minecraft Version field
3

Enter Version

Type your desired version (e.g., 1.20.1, 1.21.4)
4

Restart Server

Restart your server to download the new version
Changing versions may break plugins or cause world corruption. Always backup before changing versions, especially when downgrading.

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Network Tab

Manage server allocations and IP addresses.

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Allocations

An allocation is an IP:Port combination your server uses:
  • Primary Allocation: Main IP address for connections
  • Additional Allocations: Extra ports for plugins (e.g., Dynmap)

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Adding Allocations

1

Go to Network Tab

Click the Network tab
2

Create Allocation

Click Create Allocation
3

Select Allocation

Choose from available ports
4

Make Primary (Optional)

Click Make Primary to change main IP
Servers with 8GB+ RAM include a dedicated IP without a port number.

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Schedules Tab

Automate server tasks with scheduled commands.

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Creating a Schedule

1

Navigate to Schedules

Click the Schedules tab
2

Create Schedule

Click Create Schedule
3

Configure Schedule

Set:
  • Name: Description of the schedule
  • Schedule: When to run (cron format)
  • Enabled: Whether schedule is active
4

Add Tasks

Add tasks to the schedule:
  • Send Command: Run server command
  • Send Power Action: Restart, stop, etc.
  • Create Backup: Automatic backup creation

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Schedule Examples

Daily Restart at 4 AM:
  • Minute: 0
  • Hour: 4
  • Day of Month: *
  • Month: *
  • Day of Week: *
  • Task: Power Action - Restart
Save World Every Hour:
  • Minute: 0
  • Hour: *
  • Day of Month: *
  • Month: *
  • Day of Week: *
  • Task: Send Command - save-all
Weekly Backup (Sunday 3 AM):
  • Minute: 0
  • Hour: 3
  • Day of Month: *
  • Month: *
  • Day of Week: 0
  • Task: Create Backup
Schedules use cron format. Use * to mean “every” and specific numbers for exact times.

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Users Tab

Grant other users access to manage your server.

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Adding Subusers

1

Go to Users Tab

Click the Users tab
2

Create User

Click New User
3

Enter Email

Enter the email of the user to invite
They must have a Birdflop account with this email
4

Set Permissions

Choose what they can access:
  • Console access and commands
  • File management
  • Backup creation/restoration
  • Schedule management
  • Settings changes
5

Send Invite

Click Invite User
Only grant permissions you trust the user with. Anyone with file access can potentially damage your server.

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Activity Tab

View a log of all actions performed on your server. Logged activities include:
  • Server starts/stops/restarts
  • File modifications
  • Backup creation/restoration
  • Settings changes
  • User additions/removals
  • Schedule executions
Activity logs help troubleshoot issues and track changes made to your server.

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Mobile App Support

The panel works great on mobile devices:
  • Responsive Design: Adapts to any screen size
  • Touch Optimized: Easy tap controls
  • Full Feature Access: All features available on mobile

Mobile Tips

  • Use landscape mode for file editing
  • Console auto-scrolls on mobile
  • Pinch to zoom in file editor

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Getting Help

Discord Community

Join our Discord for help from staff and community members

Submit Ticket

Create a support ticket through the client area for direct help
Most common issues can be resolved by checking the console for error messages. Include console errors when asking for help.

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