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The serve command starts an HTTP server that provides web-based interfaces for validation, dedicated server management, and other Minecraft Creator Tools features.

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Syntax

mct serve [features] [domain] [host-port] [title] [motd]

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Arguments

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features
string
Specifies which features the server should enable.Choices:
  • all - Enable all features (web services + dedicated server)
  • allwebservices - Enable all web services
  • basicwebservices - Enable only basic web services
  • dedicatedserver - Enable dedicated server features only
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domain
string
The URL domain where this server is hosted.Example: localhost, mctools.example.com
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host-port
number
Port number for the HTTP server.Example: 3000, 8080
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title
string
Display title for the server.Example: “My Minecraft Server”
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motd
string
Message of the day for the server.Example: “Welcome to the validation server!”

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Options

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-once
boolean
default:"false"
Process only one request and then shutdown. Useful for automated workflows.
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-i, --input-folder
string
Path to the folder containing projects to serve.
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-updatepc, --update-passcode
string
Sets the update passcode for server access control.

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Examples

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Start basic web server

mct serve
Starts the server with default settings on the configured port.

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Start with all features

mct serve all localhost 3000 "My MCT Server" "Welcome!"

┌─────┐
│ ▄ ▄ │ Minecraft Creator Tools (preview) command line
│ ┏▀┓ │ See https://aka.ms/mcthomepage for more info.
└─────┘

Starting Minecraft Creator Tools Server...
Title: My MCT Server
MOTD: Welcome!
Domain: localhost
Port: 3000

✓ Server started successfully
✓ Web interface available at http://localhost:3000

Press Ctrl+C to stop the server

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Start web services only

mct serve basicwebservices localhost 8080
Starts only the web-based validation services without dedicated server features.

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Run-once mode for automation

mct serve basicwebservices localhost 3000 "Validation Server" "" -once
The server will handle one request and then automatically shutdown. Useful in CI/CD pipelines.

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Serve with specific project folder

mct serve all localhost 3000 -i ./my-projects

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Server Features

Includes:
  • Web-based validation interface
  • Project upload and analysis
  • Validation report viewing
  • Basic project management
Use Case: Simple validation server for team use

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Server Configuration

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Setting Server Properties

Use the setserverprops (or setsrv) command to configure default server properties: 
mct setserverprops localhost 3000 "My Server" "Welcome to MCT!"
These settings are saved and used when starting the server without arguments: 
mct serve  # Uses saved settings

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Access Control

Configure passcodes for different access levels: 
mct serve -updatepc "myUpdatePasscode123"
The server uses passcodes for:
  • Display Read-Only: View reports and data
  • Full Read-Only: Access all data without modification
  • Update State: Modify server state and settings
  • Admin: Full administrative access
Passcodes are stored locally and should be kept secure. Use strong, unique passcodes in production environments.

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Stopping the Server

Stop the server gracefully:
  1. Keyboard Interrupt: Press Ctrl+C in the terminal
  2. Command Input: Type exit or stop and press Enter
# Server is running...
stop
# Server shutting down gracefully...

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Web Interface

When the server is running, access the web interface at: 
http://[domain]:[port]
For example: http://localhost:3000

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Available Endpoints

GET http://localhost:3000/
# Main web interface

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Use Cases

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Team Validation Server

Set up a shared validation server for your team: 
mct serve allwebservices 0.0.0.0 3000 "Team Validation Server" "Upload your add-ons here"
Team members can access via browser to validate their add-ons without installing the CLI.

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CI/CD Integration

Use run-once mode in automated builds: 
# Start server for validation
mct serve basicwebservices localhost 3000 -once -i ./build

# Server handles one validation request and exits

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Development Workflow

Run a local server during development: 
mct serve all localhost 3000 -i ./projects
Validate changes through the web UI as you develop.

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Dedicated Server Management

When using dedicatedserver or all features:

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EULA Agreement

You must agree to the Minecraft EULA before managing dedicated servers: 
mct eula
Or use the full command: 
mct minecrafteulaandprivacystatement
This shows the EULA and prompts for acceptance: 
This feature uses Minecraft assets and/or the Minecraft Bedrock 
Dedicated Server. To use it, you must agree to the Minecraft End 
User License Agreement and Privacy Statement.

    Minecraft End User License Agreement: https://minecraft.net/eula
    Minecraft Privacy Statement: https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=521839

? I agree to the Minecraft End User License Agreement and Privacy Statement

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Server Management Features

  • Start/stop Minecraft dedicated servers
  • Configure server properties
  • Manage worlds and add-ons
  • View player activity
  • Monitor server logs
  • Backup and restore worlds

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Environment Configuration

Server settings are stored in the local environment. View configuration paths: 
mct version
Shows: 
Machine user data path: /home/user/.minecraft-creator-tools
Machine app data path: /home/user/.local/share/minecraft-creator-tools
Server working path: /home/user/.minecraft-creator-tools/servers
Environment prefs path: /home/user/.minecraft-creator-tools/env.json

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Security Considerations

Production Deployment:
  • Use HTTPS with a reverse proxy (nginx, Apache)
  • Set strong passcodes
  • Configure firewall rules
  • Limit access by IP if possible
  • Keep server software updated
# Run server on localhost only
mct serve allwebservices localhost 3000

# Use nginx or Apache as reverse proxy with HTTPS
# Configure authentication at the proxy level

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Troubleshooting

Another service is using the specified port.Solution: Use a different port:
mct serve all localhost 3001
Or find and stop the conflicting service:
# Linux/Mac
lsof -i :3000

# Windows
netstat -ano | findstr :3000
Server might be bound to localhost only.Solution: Bind to all interfaces:
mct serve all 0.0.0.0 3000
Then access via: http://[server-ip]:3000
Check for configuration errors or missing dependencies.Solution: Run with verbose logging:
mct serve -lv

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Advanced Configuration

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Custom Server Properties

Persist server configuration: 
# Set properties
mct setserverprops example.com 3000 "Production Server" "Validation Services"

# Start with saved settings
mct serve

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Multiple Server Instances

Run multiple servers on different ports: 
# Terminal 1: Validation server
mct serve basicwebservices localhost 3000

# Terminal 2: Dedicated server
mct serve dedicatedserver localhost 3001

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