The three basic actions
From your server's console in the panel, three buttons control power:
- Start: boots the server from a stopped state.
- Restart: stops then restarts the server, without changing its configuration.
- Stop: shuts the server down cleanly.
The same actions are available from Discord, via /my-services in the service detail — handy if you don't have the panel to hand.
Clean stop vs forced kill
A clean stop (the Stop button) sends a signal to the server software, which then has time to save its state properly before shutting down — saving the Minecraft world, closing connections cleanly, and so on. A forced kill, available as a last resort when the server stops responding, cuts the process immediately without giving it that chance.
Understanding server states
- Running: the server is working normally.
- Offline: the server is stopped.
- Starting: booting — the duration depends on the game or application and can take several minutes for a large modpack.
- Stopping: shutting down.
Restarting after a change
Most configuration changes (server.properties, environment variables, plugin installation) only take effect on restart, never live. Get into the habit of restarting after each significant change.