Default Servers
If you have ever built a Minecraft modpack, you know the struggle of trying to send players to your community server. The old method involved overwriting the servers.dat file, which worked initially but caused a frustrating problem: every time you updated the pack, players lost the servers they had manually added. That is where Default Servers steps in, offering a clean, modern solution that respects both your pack design and your players' choices.
Why Default Servers Changes the Game
Default Servers provides a simple solution for modpack creators trying to ship out default server lists to players. Instead of overwriting the servers.dat file, which often leads to player-added servers being deleted on updates, Default Servers allows you to ship default data inside config/default-servers.json. This file is loaded at runtime and will populate the servers.dat file if it does not exist. The result is a seamless first-launch experience where your curated list appears, but any server a player adds later remains untouched through subsequent pack updates.
This approach is especially valuable for large modpacks distributed across launchers. When players first boot the game, they immediately see your recommended servers without any extra steps. And because the add-on only writes to servers.dat when the file is missing, it never interferes with existing player data.
Understanding the Configuration File
The default config file is composed of a list of server entries, as seen below. The name and ip fields are required, while resources and forced are optional. Here is a quick breakdown of what each field does:
- name – The display name players see in the multiplayer menu.
- ip – The server address, including port if needed.
- resources – Controls resource pack behavior for that server.
- forced – When set to true, the server is added on boot regardless of existing data.
Resource Pack Options Explained
Resources can be one of the following values:
- "enabled" – Server will automatically download resource packs.
- "disabled" – Server will not download resource packs.
- "prompt" – Server will prompt for resource packs [default].
This granular control means you can set a default prompt for most servers but force-enable packs on your main hub, giving players the intended experience without overwhelming them with download requests.
How the Forced Flag Works
If forced is set to true (default: false), the server will be added to the servers.dat list on boot regardless of whether the file already exists. If a server entry with the same IP address already exists, the entry will not be added. This prevents duplicate entries while still ensuring your critical server appears even if a player has a pre-existing list.
How to Install Default Servers for Minecraft
Installing the add-on is straightforward. First, you need to place the mod file into your mods folder. The add-on works with both Forge and NeoForge, and it supports recent Minecraft versions including 1.20.1, 1.21, and 1.21.1. If you are using a modpack manager, simply add it as a dependency and the rest happens automatically.
For players who prefer a launcher-based approach, the foxygame.net launcher offers a one-click install for Default Servers, letting you add it to any modpack without manually downloading files. The launcher's add-on catalog keeps Default Servers updated automatically, so you always have the latest version compatible with your Minecraft build.
Step-by-Step Setup
Once the mod is in place, navigate to the config folder and open default-servers.json. Add your server entries following the JSON structure. Save the file, launch the game, and the servers will appear in your multiplayer list on first boot. If you need to update the list later, simply edit the JSON and restart the game; existing player servers remain safe.
For those who want to skip manual configuration, the foxygame.net launcher also provides a visual editor for Default Servers, letting you add or remove entries through a simple interface instead of editing JSON by hand. This is a great time-saver when managing multiple packs or updating server addresses frequently.
Why Modpack Creators Love It
Default Servers is available under MIT, meaning you can freely include it in any pack, even commercial ones. The lightweight design adds negligible overhead to load times, and the logic is simple enough to debug if something goes wrong. Players appreciate that their personal server lists are never wiped, and creators appreciate that their community servers are always front and center for new players.
If you have ever dealt with support tickets about "my servers disappeared after updating," this add-on eliminates that entire class of problem. It is a small quality-of-life improvement that makes a big difference in player retention and community growth.
Final Thoughts
Default Servers fills a niche that vanilla Minecraft leaves empty. Whether you are running a small friend group server or a large public modpack, the ability to ship a default list without clobbering player data is invaluable. Download Default Servers today and give your players the best first impression possible. The setup takes minutes, and the payoff lasts for every future update.