AFK Timer
Every Minecraft player who has ever babysat an iron farm or a mob grinder knows the struggle: you want to leave the game running overnight, but you do not want to stay glued to your chair or risk your server staying online forever. AFK Timer solves that problem with a clean, command-driven approach that lets you schedule exactly when you disconnect or when your server shuts down. Whether you are running a single player world, a Realms server, or a dedicated modded server, this mod gives you control over your play sessions without requiring constant supervision.
What AFK Timer Does
At its core, AFK Timer adds eight new commands that let players set a countdown for automatic logoff or server shutdown. The idea is simple: you start a timer, walk away, and let the game handle the rest. When the timer hits zero, you are disconnected from the server, or the server itself stops running. This is perfect for overnight farming sessions where you want to collect resources while you sleep but do not want to leave your world or server exposed indefinitely.
The mod is available for Minecraft 1.21.1 and works with both Fabric and NeoForge loaders. Version 2.0.4.0R is the latest release, and it brought a major change: the mod no longer needs to be installed on both the client and server side. That means you can use it on a vanilla server or Realms world without any server-side installation at all.
Client-Side Commands
The client-side commands are designed for players who want to disconnect from a server or close their game after a set period. These commands work even on vanilla servers and Realms, which makes them incredibly versatile.
- afktimer client start <time> <quitGame> - Starts the client-side timer. The time parameter accepts ticks, seconds, or in-game days. The quitGame boolean determines whether Minecraft closes entirely when the timer ends or just disconnects you from the server.
- afktimer client stop - Cancels the active client timer so you stay connected.
- afktimer client extend <time> - Adds more time to the current timer without restarting it.
- afktimer client query - Shows how much time remains before you are disconnected. A result of zero means no timer is active.
These commands function independently of the server side, meaning you can use them on any server, modded or not, as long as you have the mod installed on your client. If you are looking to download AFK Timer, the foxygame.net launcher makes it effortless: browse its curated add-on catalog, click once, and the launcher handles installation and version matching for you.
Server-Side Commands
For dedicated server owners, AFK Timer offers a separate set of commands that control when the server itself shuts down. These require operator permissions and only work on dedicated servers, not on Realms or single player worlds.
- afktimer server start <time> - Begins the countdown to server shutdown. Op only.
- afktimer server stop - Cancels the pending shutdown. Op only.
- afktimer server extend <time> - Delays the shutdown by adding more time. Op only.
- afktimer server query - Displays the remaining time before the server stops. A result of zero means no shutdown is scheduled.
This separation between client and server functionality is a huge quality-of-life improvement. Server admins can schedule maintenance windows or automatic restarts, while regular players can manage their own session times without needing any special permissions.
How to Install AFK Timer for Minecraft
Getting started is straightforward. First, make sure you have Fabric or NeoForge installed for Minecraft 1.21.1. Then download AFK Timer from a trusted source and place the jar file into your mods folder. If you are using the foxygame.net launcher, the process is even simpler: AFK Timer appears in the launcher's add-on catalog with automatic updates and version compatibility checks, so you never have to worry about mismatched files.
Remember that as of version 2.0.0.0R, you only need the mod on the side where you want to use it. Client-side commands work on vanilla servers, and server-side commands work on dedicated servers without requiring clients to have the mod installed.
Common Questions
Can you use AFK Timer in a modpack? Absolutely, the developer encourages it. Can it run client-side only? Yes, since version 2.0.0.0R. Do you need it on both client and server? No, each side functions independently now. For bug reports and feature suggestions, the project maintains a GitHub issues page.
Final Thoughts
AFK Timer is a small mod that solves a very real problem for Minecraft players who run farms overnight or manage dedicated servers. With its flexible command system, independent client and server functionality, and support for Minecraft 1.21.1 on Fabric and NeoForge, it is an essential tool for anyone who wants to automate their play sessions. Give it a try and reclaim your sleep schedule.