Set up a Velocity network

A Velocity proxy gives players one address for several Minecraft servers. For example, players can join a lobby, then move to a survival server with /server survival. The proxy connects players; each game server keeps its own world.

Note: creating servers is turned off on the staging site until launch. These steps need your own servers and a Velocity proxy; the shared demo cannot test a real network.

1. Prepare your servers#

  1. Create at least one Paper or Purpur game server in your Tree Host account. For a lobby and survival network, create two and give them clear names such as Lobby and Survival.
  2. Choose + New server again and select Velocity to create the proxy.
  3. Check that your plan has room for the game servers and proxy you want to run together.

Use game versions supported by your proxy and players' clients. A proxy does not automatically make different Minecraft versions compatible. Install gameplay plugins on the game servers; only install Velocity-compatible plugins on the proxy.

Tree Host's Network setup supports Paper, Purpur, Folia, Spigot and CraftBukkit game servers owned by the same account. Vanilla and Fabric servers cannot be selected in this setup. A game server can belong to only one network.

Tip: use current Paper or Purpur versions for a straightforward setup. Tree Host selects Velocity modern forwarding when all selected game servers are Paper, Purpur or Folia on Minecraft 1.13 or newer. Other supported combinations use legacy forwarding.

2. Connect the network#

  1. Open the Velocity proxy in the dashboard, then Settings → Network.
  2. Tick each game server you want players to reach through the proxy.
  3. Choose players start here beside your lobby or preferred starting server.
  4. Click Save network.
  5. If prompted, confirm the restart of the listed running servers. If you skip it, restart the proxy and affected game servers yourself before testing. Start any selected servers that are stopped.

Tree Host writes the proxy's server list and configures forwarding on the game servers. Forwarding passes player identity from the proxy to the game servers. You do not need to copy a forwarding secret or edit velocity.toml by hand for this setup.

Important: keep the forwarding secret private and leave the generated forwarding settings in place. Do not turn off authentication or remove the proxy-only checks to fix a connection problem. The Velocity security guide explains why protecting the game servers matters.

3. Join and test#

  1. Copy the Join address from the Velocity proxy's page, not a game server's page.
  2. Add that address in Minecraft Java Edition → Multiplayer → Add Server, then join.
  3. Check that you arrive on the server marked players start here.
  4. In chat, run /server to see the available servers. Use /server survival to move to the survival server.

After saving, the Network panel shows each selected server's /server name. Use that exact name; spaces and punctuation in display names can become hyphens. Share the proxy's join address with your friends.

Change or remove a server#

Return to the proxy's Settings → Network, change the selected servers or starting server, then Save network. Apply the requested restarts. Unticking every game server clears the network. Removing a server from the network does not delete its world.

Fix common problems#

  • A server is missing or cannot be selected: check that it belongs to the same account, uses supported software, and is not already in another proxy's network.
  • Connection refused or no available server: check that the proxy and starting game server are running. Read both consoles and apply any restarts you skipped after saving.
  • Forwarding error: save the network again and restart the affected servers. If it continues, send Support the exact error. Do not paste the forwarding secret.
  • Cannot join a game server directly: use the proxy address. Network game servers are configured to accept players through the proxy.
  • Unknown server name: copy the /server name shown in Network, rather than guessing from the display name.

See Your server and Troubleshooting, or email support@treehost.online with the relevant console error.