How to Install Hytale Server Mods, Assets, & Plugins

This guide shows how to install mods, asset packs, and server plugins on a Hytale dedicated server.

Hytale is in Early Access and the modding ecosystem is moving fast. Always back up your server before making changes, and expect mods/plugins to break after game updates.

What’s the difference?

• Mods / Packs: Usually a .zip (sometimes .jar) you drop into your server’s mods/ folder. These can include data changes, custom assets, gameplay tweaks, etc.
• Assets (Asset Packs): Custom items/models/textures/data. In practice they’re commonly distributed as a pack/mod file and installed the same way (uploaded into mods/).
• Plugins: Server-side Java .jar files that add commands, logic, metrics exporters, web APIs, etc. In Early Access these are often considered “early plugins” and may require a startup acknowledgement flag.

Before you install anything

1. Stop your server (or shut it down if self-hosting).
2. Back up at minimum:
   • universe/ (worlds + player data)
   • config.json, permissions.json, whitelist.json
3. Confirm the mod/plugin supports your current Hytale version.

Where to get mods/plugins

Most server mods are distributed as downloadable .zip or .jar files. Always prefer the mod author’s official download page and read their install notes.

Install on a hosted server (LOW.MS or other)

Method A: “Mod Manager” (if your host provides one)

If your panel has a Mod Manager:

1. Stop the server.
2. Click on "Curse Mods"
3. Search and install the mod!
4. Start the server and watch the console for load messages or errors.

Method B: File Manager / SFTP (works everywhere)

1. Stop the server.

2. Open File Manager (or connect via SFTP).

3. Navigate to the server’s mod folder:

   • Common layouts:
     • mods/
     • hytale/Server/mods/ (some hosts)

4. Upload the mod file as-is (.zip or .jar). Don’t unzip it unless the mod author explicitly says to.

5. Start the server.

Installing plugins (hosted)

Plugins are usually .jar files.

• Many hosts load plugin jars from the same mods/ folder.
• Some hosts separate “early plugins” into a dedicated folder (for example earlyplugins/). If your host says to use earlyplugins/, follow that.

If your plugin is an early plugin, your server may also need a startup flag:

• Add this to your server startup arguments (or toggle the equivalent panel setting):

--accept-early-plugins

If you don’t have direct access to startup arguments in your panel, look for a setting like “Accept Early Plugins” or contact support.

Install on a self-hosted server (Windows / Linux)

1. Stop the server.
2. In your server root (where HytaleServer.jar is), locate or create the folder:

mods/

3. Copy your downloaded mod/plugin file into mods/.
4. If you’re installing an early plugin, add the early plugin acknowledgement flag when starting the server:

java -jar HytaleServer.jar --assets PathToAssets.zip --accept-early-plugins

5. Start the server and watch the console/logs.

Example (Linux)

mkdir -p mods
cp MyModPack.zip mods/
# restart server

Example (Windows PowerShell)

New-Item -ItemType Directory -Force -Path .\mods | Out-Null
Copy-Item .\Downloads\MyModPack.zip .\mods\
# restart server

How to confirm it worked

• Restarting is required — Hytale reads mods/plugins on startup.
• Check logs/ and the live console for:
  • load confirmations
  • dependency/version errors
  • crash stack traces (remove the most recent mod/plugin first)

Updating or removing mods/plugins

Update

1. Stop the server.
2. Replace the mod file in mods/ with the new version.
3. Start the server.

Remove

1. Stop the server.
2. Delete the mod/plugin file from mods/.
3. Start the server.

If a world was created with a mod/plugin that adds required content, removing it may break that save. Keep backups.

Troubleshooting

Server won’t start after adding a mod

• Remove the last mod/plugin you uploaded and try again.
• Confirm the file is in the correct folder (mods/ or host-specific path).
• Confirm you didn’t upload an extracted folder when the mod expects a single .zip.
• Verify the mod supports your server version.

Plugin isn’t loading

• Make sure it’s a .jar file.
• If it’s an early plugin, ensure you’re launching with:
  • --accept-early-plugins
• If your host uses a separate folder (like earlyplugins/), place it there.

Changes keep “reverting”

Hytale writes some config files when in-game actions occur. Do file edits while the server is stopped, then restart.

Early Plugins Explained

Early plugins are a special category of Hytale server plugins that run outside the standard plugin system. They perform low-level class modifications by injecting or altering bytecode during server startup.

Why do early plugins exist?

Early plugins can:

• Modify core server behavior that normal plugins can't access
• Add features before the standard plugin system loads
• Patch or extend internal server classes

Because of their power, Hytale requires you to explicitly acknowledge you want to run them.

How to enable early plugins

Add the --accept-early-plugins flag to your server startup command:

java -jar HytaleServer.jar --assets Assets.zip --accept-early-plugins

On hosted servers:

• Look for an "Accept Early Plugins" toggle in your server settings
• Or add the flag to your startup arguments if your panel allows it

Where to install early plugins

Some servers use different folders:

Check your hosting provider's documentation — some separate early plugins into their own folder.

Should I use early plugins?

Use early plugins if:

• You need functionality that regular plugins can't provide
• The plugin author specifically says it's an early plugin
• You trust the plugin source (early plugins have deep system access)

Avoid early plugins if:

• A regular plugin can do what you need
• You're unsure about the plugin's source
• You want maximum stability (early plugins can cause harder-to-diagnose issues)

Common early plugins

• LuckPerms — advanced permissions management
• Performance mods — server optimization plugins
• API extensions — plugins that expose new APIs for other plugins

Plugin Development Resources

If you're interested in creating your own Hytale plugins:

• Official template: Darkhax & Jared's plugin template for IntelliJ IDEA
• Requirements: Java 25, IntelliJ IDEA (Community edition works)
• Documentation: Hypixel Studios is working on public creator documentation

The Hytale modding ecosystem is still developing. Expect APIs and best practices to evolve during Early Access.