How to Run a Create Mod Server

The Create mod turns Minecraft into a mechanical engineering sandbox. Conveyor belts, gearboxes, trains, windmills, water wheels and automated factories, all without any magic blocks or energy numbers. Running it on a server lets your group build together, and with the right setup it runs smoothly even with complex contraptions.

Forge or Fabric?

Create was originally Forge-only. A Fabric port called Create Fabric now exists and is stable. Both versions have the same features. The choice depends on your other mods:

• Forge - better if you want large modpacks or mods that are Forge-exclusive. Most Create addon mods target Forge first.
• Fabric - better if you want performance mods (Lithium, Starlight) alongside Create. Lighter overall.

RAM requirements

Create itself is not extremely heavy, but contraptions with many moving parts use more memory and CPU than static blocks.

• Create only: 4 GB for a small group (2 to 5 players).
• Create + 20 to 30 companion mods: 6 to 8 GB.
• Create: Above and Beyond (full modpack): 8 to 10 GB.

The CPU matters more than RAM for Create. Complex contraptions with hundreds of moving blocks run physics calculations every tick. A server with strong single-thread performance handles this best.

Installation steps

1. Install Forge or Fabric on your server (matching the Minecraft version Create targets, currently 1.20.1 or 1.21.1).
2. Download Create from Modrinth or CurseForge.
3. Upload the Create jar and its dependency (Flywheel for rendering, though it is server-optional) to the mods/ folder.
4. Set RAM to at least 4 GB in the startup configuration.
5. Start the server and let it generate configs.

Best companion mods

• Create: Steam 'n' Rails - adds more train parts, custom bogeys and monorails.
• Create: Crafts and Additions - bridges Create with electricity. Generators, motors, wires.
• Create: Enchantment Industry - automate enchanting with Create's mechanical systems.
• Create: Slice and Dice - integrates Farmer's Delight cooking with Create automation.
• JEI (Just Enough Items) - essential for looking up Create recipes, which can be complex.

Performance tips for Create servers

• Limit contraption size - set maxBlocksMovedPerContraption in the Create config to prevent lag machines. Default is 256, which is reasonable.
• Chunk loading - Create's trains need chunks loaded along their routes. Use Chunky to pre-generate the world and a chunk loader mod for active rail lines.
• TPS monitoring - use Spark to profile the server. Create's contraption tick is the main thing to watch.
• Reduce render distance - set view-distance to 8 or 10. Create servers benefit from lower view distance because contraptions exist in loaded chunks.

Does Create cause server lag?

It depends on what players build. A few simple machines cause no issues. A factory with 500 moving blocks ticking every server tick will impact TPS. Use the config limits and monitor with Spark.

Can I add Create to an existing world?

Yes. Create does not change world generation (unless you enable its custom ores). Add the mod, restart, and Create blocks become available. Removing it later is harder because Create blocks in the world would disappear.

Do all players need Create installed?

Yes. Create adds custom blocks, items and rendering. Every player needs the mod and its dependencies on their client. The versions must match between server and client.

Run your Create server on HostValues Minecraft hosting with fast single-thread CPU performance.