Hytale server settings, operators and whitelist

Edit config.json for your server name, password and view distance, make yourself operator safely, lock the server with a whitelist and pick a patchline.

5 min read · Updated Sep 23, 2026 · By GuavaHost Team

Most of what you will want to change on a Hytale server lives in two places: the config.json file for things like the server name, password and view distance, and a handful of console commands for operators, the whitelist and bans. This guide covers both, plus the Patchline switch for trying pre-release builds safely.

Stop the server before editing files

Your server keeps its settings in plain files in its main folder, including config.json, permissions.json, whitelist.json and bans.json. The server can rewrite these while it runs, so an edit made to a running server may simply be overwritten. The safe routine is:

1. On the Backups tab, create a backup.
2. Stop the server from the Console tab.
3. Edit the file on the Files tab and save it.
4. Start the server again.

These files are JSON, a text format where every quote, comma and bracket matters. Change only the values you mean to change. If the server refuses to start after an edit, the usual cause is a missing comma or quote.

config.json: the main settings

These are the settings most owners change. Hytale adds and renames settings between updates, so edit the values already in your file rather than pasting in a complete config from elsewhere, and leave the Version value alone.

For how view distance affects memory, see How much RAM does a Hytale server need?.

Make yourself an operator

An operator (often shortened to OP) has full admin permissions on the server. There are two ways to become one.

The safe way: from the console. Join the server in game first, then on the panel's Console tab run:

/op add YourName

The console has full permissions, so this works even before anyone is an operator. To take operator away again, use /op remove YourName. Once you are an operator you can run the same commands in game to promote trusted friends.

The switch: Allow operators. The Allow operators option on the Startup tab starts the server with --allow-op, which lets a player type /op self in game to make themselves an operator. The catch is that while it is on, anyone on your server can do the same. If you use it:

1. Switch Allow operators on and restart the server.
2. Join and run /op self.
3. Switch Allow operators off again and restart.

Your operator status is saved in permissions.json, so it stays after you turn the switch off. Operators and permission groups are stored in that file, and the console help lists the commands for managing finer-grained permissions if you need more than OP.

Lock the server with a whitelist

A whitelist lets in only the players you list. Add yourself before switching it on so you do not lock yourself out. From the Console tab, or in game as an operator:

The list is saved in whitelist.json. Using the commands is easier than editing that file by hand, and does not need a restart.

Kick and ban players

• /kick <player> removes someone from the server. They can rejoin.
• /ban <player> removes them and stops them coming back.
• /unban <player> lifts a ban.

Bans are saved in bans.json. For more ways to protect your world, see Stop griefers on your server.

Patchline: release or pre-release

The Patchline option on the Startup tab decides which build of Hytale your server runs:

• release is the normal, stable build. Leave it here unless you have a reason to change.
• pre-release gets early builds of upcoming updates. It is great for trying new features but can be unstable, and your players need the matching pre-release build in their own game to join.

To switch, take a backup first, change Patchline, then restart. On the next start the server downloads the build for that patchline before booting. If the console shows a new downloader link and code, approve it just as you did on the first start.

Switching back from pre-release to release needs more care. A world that has been opened on a newer build may not load on an older one, so the safe way back is to change Patchline to release and restore the backup you took before switching. Mods can also break across builds, so check them after any switch.

Other Startup options

• Auth Mode: keep it on authenticated. offline skips Hytale account checks and is meant for testing only.
• Use Ahead-of-Time Cache: leave it on for faster startups.
• Disable Sentry: stops crash reports being sent to Hytale. Useful while developing plugins.
• Accept Early Plugins: only needed for early plugins. See Install mods and plugins on a Hytale server.

Back up your world

Your world and player data live in the universe folder. The Backups tab snapshots the whole server, including universe, in one click, and you can schedule backups so you never forget. The backups guide covers creating, restoring and scheduling them. Take one before every patchline switch, big config change or new mod.

Still stuck? Jump into our Discord at discord.gg/GuavaHost and the team will help you out.

• hytale
• config
• admin
• op
• whitelist
• bans
• patchline

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