Minecraft Java server properties guide(Legacy)

Summary
Minecraft server properties allow admins to customize various aspects of their Minecraft server. These adjust gameplay mechanics, such as game mode, difficulty, and world generation options. These also manage server performance by setting the maximum number of players and controlling server view distance. The guide below goes through each setting and briefly describes what it does.

Minecraft Java Server Properties Guide
enable-jmx-monitoring=false
Sets whether JMX technology is enabled or not.
 
rcon.port=25575
Sets the rcon port for when enable-rcon=true.
 
level-seed=
Generates a world seed based on the value. Characters and numbers that are both positive and negative can be used. If left blank, it generates a random seed.
 
Example: level-seed=Steve12345 or level-seed=-98723453134
 
gamemode=survival
Sets the gamemode on the server. The values are survival, creative, adventure, and spectator.
 
enable-command-block=false
Sets whether command blocks are enabled or not on the server.
 
enable-query=false
Sets whether query is enabled or not. Server lists use it to get information about the server.
 
generator-settings={}
Sets world generation customization.
 
enforce-secure-profile=true
Sets whether chat reporting is enabled or not.
 
level-name=world
Sets the name of the world and folder save.
 
motd=A Minecraft Server
Sets the message of the day.
 
query.port=25565
Sets the query port for when enable-query=true.
 
pvp=true
Sets whether PvP is enabled or not.
 
generate-structures=true
Sets whether structures such as villages generate in new chunks. Dungeons generate regardless of setting.
 
max-chained-neighbor-updates=1000000
Sets the limit of the number of consecutive neighbor updates before skipping additional ones. When the value is negative, it is disabled. Recommended to leave on default.
 
difficulty=easy
Sets the difficulty of the game. The values are peaceful, easy, normal, and hard.
 
network-compression-threshold=256
Sets the networking packets below the value to be compressed. Recommended to leave on default.
 
max-tick-time=60000
Sets the time a tick is allowed to take before the server stops. The value is in milliseconds. Recommended to disable for heavy modpacks by setting it to -1.
 
require-resource-pack=false
Setting the value to true prompts joining players to accept the server resource pack. Declining will disconnect players from the server.
 
use-native-transport=true
Sets whether Linux server performance improvements are enabled or not. Recommended to leave on true.
 
max-players=20
Sets the maximum number of players on the server. A higher number of players consume more server resources.
 
online-mode=true
Sets whether the server checks joining players are listed on the Minecraft account database. Recommended to leave on true to protect the server from fake and unsafe accounts.
 
enable-status=true
Sets the privacy of showing up on the server list. When set to false, the server is hidden but still allows connections.
 
allow-flight=false
Sets whether flying is allowed or not on Survival mode. Some mods may require setting to true.
 
initial-disabled-packs=
List of datapacks to not be auto-enabled on world creation. Separate datapacks with a comma.
 
broadcast-rcon-to-ops=true
Sets whether to send rcon console command outputs to all online operators when enable-rcon=true.
 
view-distance=10
Sets the view distance of the server, regardless of players' client settings. A lower value is recommended when experiencing significant lag.
 
server-ip=
Sets the IP to bind the server to.
 
resource-pack-prompt=
Sets whether to show a custom message on prompt when require-resource-pack=true.
 
allow-nether=true
Sets whether players can travel to the Nether or not.
 
server-port=25565
Sets the port of the server.
 
enable-rcon=false
Sets whether remote access to the server console is enabled or not. Recommended to leave on false as rcon does not have encryption.
 
sync-chunk-writes=true
Sets whether synchronous chunk writes are enabled or not. Recommended to leave on true.
 
op-permission-level=4
Sets the default permission levels of operators.
 
prevent-proxy-connections=false
Sets whether players using VPNs or proxies can join the server or not.
 
hide-online-players=false
Sets whether sending a player list on status requests is enabled or not.
 
resource-pack=
Sets the resource pack URL when adding a resource pack to the server.
 
entity-broadcast-range-percentage=100
Sets how near entities need to be before being shown to players. A lower value means a shorter distance and is recommended when experiencing significant lag.
 
simulation-distance=10
Sets the maximum distance entities are visible to players. A lower value is recommended when experiencing significant lag.
 
rcon.password=
Sets the rcon password for when enable-rcon=true.
 
player-idle-timeout=0
Sets whether idle players get kicked from the server after some time. The value is in minutes.
 
force-gamemode=false
Sets whether players are forced on the server's default gamemode on joining, regardless if they changed gamemodes when logging out.
 
rate-limit=0
Sets the maximum number of packets a player can send. Exceeding the limit, such as using too many mods and plugins, kicks the player. Recommended to leave on 0.
 
hardcore=false
Sets whether hardcore mode is enabled or not. When set to true, server difficulty defaults to hard regardless of difficulty=, and players go to spectator mode after death.
 
white-list=false
Sets whether whitelisting is enabled or not. Players not on the whitelist are unable to connect. Operators are automatically whitelisted when enabled.
 
broadcast-console-to-ops=true
Sets whether to send console command outputs to all online operators.
 
spawn-npcs=true
Sets whether NPCs can spawn or not.
 
spawn-animals=true
Sets whether animals can spawn or not.
 
function-permission-level=2
Sets the default permission level for functions.
 
initial-enabled-packs=vanilla
List of datapacks to be auto-enabled on world creation. Separate datapacks with a comma.

level-type=minecraft\:normal
Sets the generated world preset. generator-settings={} allows further customization.

1.19 and above:
minecraft:normal - Default world.
minecraft:flat - A flat world with no features.
minecraft:large_biomes - Similar to default with bigger biomes.
minecraft:amplified - Similar to default with the world generation height limit increased.
minecraft:single_biome_surface - A buffet world with a single biome.

1.18 and below:
default - Default world.
flat - A flat world with no features.
largeBiomes - Similar to default with bigger biomes.
amplified - Similar to default with the world generation height limit increased.

1.15 and below:
buffet - Default world along with any customization from generator-settings={}.
default_1_1 - Similar to default but counted as a different world type.
customized - After 1.13, it is similar to a default world. In 1.12 and below, it can create a custom world.

text-filtering-config=
Sets text filtering from an online service.

spawn-monsters=true
Sets whether monsters can spawn or not.

enforce-whitelist=false
Sets whether to enforce the whitelist. When set to true, players not on the list get kicked after reloading the whitelist.

spawn-protection=16
Sets the number of spawn-protected blocks. If operators are not present on the server, spawn protection is automatically disabled. When set to 0, spawn protection is disabled.

Example: A value of 1 protects a 3x3 area on the spawn point. 2 protects 5x5, 3 protects 7x7 and so on.

resource-pack-sha1=
Sets an optional SHA-1 digest of the resource pack in lowercase hexadecimal for when resource-pack= is enabled. It verifies the resource pack's integrity.

max-world-size=29999984
Sets the maximum block size of the world border. A higher value has no impact. Recommended to leave on default.

Example: max-world-size=1000 gives a 2000x2000 world border.

Conclusion
Minecraft server properties are essential settings that allow players to customize their gameplay experience. Understanding how to modify server properties can be challenging for beginners, but it's an important skill to master for anyone who wants to run a successful Minecraft server. With the proper settings in place, players can create a unique and enjoyable Minecraft experience for their players.

Helpful Links
Minecraft Server Properties Wiki
Edit Minecraft Server Settings
Add a Resource Pack to a Minecraft Server
Install Minecraft Mods