---
title: "Minecraft Server Commands Every Admin Needs (Java 26.x)"
url: https://1up-servers.com/en/blog/minecraft-server-commands/
lastmod: 2026-10-26
---

# Minecraft Server Commands Every Admin Needs (Java 26.x)

The Minecraft server commands an admin really types: op levels, whitelist, kick and ban, the renamed game rules, time and weather, saving and stopping, plus Bedrock.

By [Baurtock](https://1up-servers.com/en/blog/author/baurtock/)
Updated Oct 26, 2026 · 9 min read

Read in[es](https://1up-servers.com/es/blog/comandos-de-servidor-de-minecraft/)[en](https://1up-servers.com/en/blog/minecraft-server-commands/)[pt-BR](https://1up-servers.com/pt-br/blog/comandos-do-servidor-de-minecraft/)

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These are the Minecraft server commands an admin actually types: making someone an operator, locking the server with a whitelist, kicking and banning, changing game rules, time and weather, and saving or stopping safely. Each one below lists its syntax and the permission level it needs, checked against the Minecraft Wiki for Java 26.x.

If you host with us, you run them from the **Console** of your [Minecraft Java server](https://1up-servers.com/en/minecraft-java-edition/); if you have no server yet, our [free Minecraft server guide](https://1up-servers.com/en/blog/how-to-make-a-free-minecraft-server/) gets you one in a few minutes. When a command fails because nobody can join at all, start with our [can't connect guide](https://1up-servers.com/en/blog/cant-connect-to-minecraft-server/) instead.

- **Console vs chat:** in the server console you type `op Steve`; in the game chat you type `/op Steve`.
- **Levels:** players need operator status for most commands. `/op` gives level 4 by default, the highest.
- **Lock it down:** `whitelist on`, then `whitelist add <name>`. Operators always get in.
- **Moderation:** `kick`, `ban`, `ban-ip` and `pardon` work on Java; vanilla Bedrock has no `ban` command.
- **Game rules were renamed:** since Java 1.21.11 they use snake*case, so `keepInventory` is now `keep*inventory`.

## 1. Console or chat: with and without the slash

There are two places to type a command. In the game, you open the chat and start with `/`. In the server console, the [Minecraft Wiki](https://minecraft.wiki/w/Commands) says commands "are *not* preceded by a /". The console always has full rights; a player in the chat only has the rights of their [permission level](https://minecraft.wiki/w/Permission_level).

On 1up, the **Console** tab accepts both forms: it removes a leading slash before sending, so `/list` and `list` do the same. It has three modes:

- **Beginner:** a row of quick commands. Pick one and fill the gaps with buttons; the ones marked with … ask for data before they are sent. For Java the quick commands are `say`, `op`, `deop`, `whitelist add`, `kick`, `ban`, `pardon`, `gamemode`, `tp`, `give`, `time set day`, `time set night`, `weather clear`, `save-all` and `list`.
- **Advanced:** a command line. Tab completes, the up arrow brings back earlier commands, and the command builder checks each value before it goes out.
- **Activity:** a feed of chat and deaths, with a K/D table for the period, instead of the raw log.

The panel console only sends commands from its own list. Anything else is refused with "That command is not in the list of the console." The table in section 6 shows which of the commands in this guide it takes.

## 2. Ops and permission levels

Java Edition has five permission levels. The [Permission level page](https://minecraft.wiki/w/Permission_level) describes them like this:

| Level | Name | What it adds |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 0 | Operator | No commands of note; can see console output if `broadcast-console-to-ops` is on |
| 1 | Moderator | Bypasses spawn protection |
| 2 | Gamemaster | Most world commands: `gamerule`, `time`, `weather`, `gamemode`, `tp`, `give` |
| 3 | Admin | Multiplayer management: `op`, `kick`, `ban`, `whitelist` |
| 4 | Owner | Everything, including `save-all` and `stop` |

The commands themselves:

- `op <player>`: level 3. It writes the player into `ops.json` with the level set by `op-permission-level` in [server.properties](https://minecraft.wiki/w/Server.properties), which is **4** by default. So every op you make can also stop the server.
- `deop <player>`: level 3. Takes operator status away.

To give a friend fewer rights, op them, stop the server and change their `level` in `ops.json`. The [Server page](https://minecraft.wiki/w/Server#Operator_list) lists the fields of each entry: `uuid`, `name`, `level` and `bypassesPlayerLimit`. On 1up the file is in **Files**, next to `server.properties`.

In our panel, `op` and `deop` are reserved: "Only the owner and a co-owner can run that command." The **Players** tab also has an **Operators** list, and an **op** / **deop** button next to each online player.

**Shortcut: on 1up it takes three clicks**

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## 3. Whitelist commands

A whitelist lets in only the players you name. All of these need level 3 on Java, per the [whitelist page](https://minecraft.wiki/w/Commands/whitelist):

- `whitelist on` and `whitelist off`: turn it on or off.
- `whitelist add <player>` and `whitelist remove <player>`: the player does not need to be online.
- `whitelist list`: shows who is on it.
- `whitelist reload`: reads `whitelist.json` again after you edit it by hand.

Two details trip people up. On Java, "server operators can *always* connect when the whitelist is active", so you never need to add your ops. And since Java 26.3, the `white-list` property is true by default on a fresh vanilla server, so a new server may refuse your friends until you add them.

On 1up, the switch is the **Whitelist on** toggle in the **Players** tab (also offered when you create the server, and off by default). The **Whitelist** list there has **+ Add** and **Import list** for many names at once. Turning the whitelist on or off is not a console command in our panel; adding, removing, listing and reloading are.

## 4. Moderation: kick, ban, ban-ip and pardon

All four groups need level 3, according to the wiki pages for [kick](https://minecraft.wiki/w/Commands/kick), [ban](https://minecraft.wiki/w/Commands/ban) and [pardon](https://minecraft.wiki/w/Commands/pardon):

- `kick <player> [reason]`: removes someone now. Without a reason they see "Kicked by an operator".
- `ban <player> [reason]`: bans the account, online or not. The ban list "supersede[s] any whitelisting in place".
- `ban-ip <address|player> [reason]`: bans an IP address, or the address of an online player. The wiki notes it cannot ban IPv6 addresses.
- `pardon <player>` and `pardon-ip <address>`: lift a ban.
- `banlist players` or `banlist ips`: shows the lists.

In our panel, `kick`, `ban`, `pardon` and `banlist players` work from the console, and the **Players** tab puts **kick** and **ban** buttons next to every online player and **Pardon** in the **Banned** list. `ban-ip` and `pardon-ip` are not offered: ban the account instead. Bans live in `banned-players.json`, which you can also see in **Files**.

## 5. Game rules: the 26.x names

`gamerule <rule> [<value>]` needs level 2 ([wiki](https://minecraft.wiki/w/Commands/gamerule)). Without a value it prints the current one. The important change: in Java 1.21.11 (snapshot 25w44a), the [Game rule page](https://minecraft.wiki/w/Game_rule) says all rules "have been renamed to resource locations in snake case instead of camel case". Every 26.x version uses the new names, so the camelCase names in older guides no longer work. If your server runs 1.21.10 or older, the old names still apply.

| Old name (1.21.10 and earlier) | 26.x name | Example |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `keepInventory` | `keep_inventory` | `gamerule keep_inventory true` |
| `doDaylightCycle` | `advance_time` | `gamerule advance_time false` |
| `doWeatherCycle` | `advance_weather` | `gamerule advance_weather false` |
| `doMobSpawning` | `spawn_mobs` | `gamerule spawn_mobs false` |
| `doInsomnia` | `spawn_phantoms` | `gamerule spawn_phantoms false` |
| `playersSleepingPercentage` | `players_sleeping_percentage` | `gamerule players_sleeping_percentage 50` |
| `announceAdvancements` | `show_advancement_messages` | `gamerule show_advancement_messages false` |
| `spawnRadius` | `respawn_radius` | `gamerule respawn_radius 0` |
| `mobGriefing` | `mob_griefing` | `gamerule mob_griefing false` |

`doFireTick` was removed and replaced by `fire_spread_radius_around_player`. Some renamed rules also flip their value: `disableRaids` became `raids`.

Four settings that used to be in `server.properties` moved too. Since Java 1.21.9, `pvp`, `allow-nether`, `spawn-monsters` and `enable-command-block` are game rules, now named `pvp`, `allow_entering_nether_using_portals`, `spawn_monsters` and `command_blocks_work` ([server.properties history](https://minecraft.wiki/w/Server.properties)). On a 26.x server, set them in the game: `/gamerule pvp false`.

The 1up console does not send `gamerule` for Java today. Op yourself, join and type it in the chat; level 4 covers it.

## 6. World commands and a cheat sheet

The everyday world commands, all level 2 on Java:

- [`time set day`](https://minecraft.wiki/w/Commands/time), `noon`, `night` or `midnight` (1000, 6000, 13000 and 18000 ticks), `time set <ticks>` and `time add <ticks>`. Since 26.1, `/time` works on world clocks and also has `time rate`.
- [`weather clear|rain|thunder [<duration>]`](https://minecraft.wiki/w/Commands/weather): `weather clear 1d` keeps the sky clear for a day.
- [`difficulty peaceful|easy|normal|hard`](https://minecraft.wiki/w/Commands/difficulty).
- [`gamemode <mode> [<player>]`](https://minecraft.wiki/w/Commands/gamemode): survival, creative, adventure or spectator.
- [`tp <player> <target>`](https://minecraft.wiki/w/Commands/teleport) or `tp <player> <x> <y> <z>`; `teleport` is the same command.
- [`give <player> <item> [<count>]`](https://minecraft.wiki/w/Commands/give), for example `give Steve minecraft:torch 64`.
- `say <message>` to talk to everyone, and `list` (level 0) to see who is online.

| Command | Level | In the 1up console |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `list` | 0 | Yes |
| `msg` | 0 | Yes |
| `say` | 2 | Yes |
| `op`, `deop` | 3 | Yes, owner and co-owner only |
| `whitelist add/remove/list/reload` | 3 | Yes |
| `whitelist on/off` | 3 | Players tab switch |
| `kick`, `ban`, `pardon`, `banlist players` | 3 | Yes |
| `ban-ip`, `pardon-ip` | 3 | No |
| `gamerule` | 2 | No, use the game chat |
| `difficulty` | 2 | **Difficulty** field in the **Game** tab |
| `time set` (day, noon, night, midnight), `time add` | 2 | Yes |
| `weather` | 2 | Yes |
| `gamemode`, `give` | 2 | Yes |
| `tp` (player to player), `teleport <player> <x> <y> <z>` | 2 | Yes |
| `save-all` | 4 | Yes |
| `save-off`, `save-on` | 4 | No |
| `stop` | 4 | No, use the Stop button |

The **Difficulty** field in the **Game** tab applies at once on a running server, without a restart.

## 7. Saving and stopping: save-all, save-off, save-on, stop

All level 4, per the [save](https://minecraft.wiki/w/Commands/save) and [stop](https://minecraft.wiki/w/Commands/stop) pages:

- `save-all`: saves player data now and marks every chunk to be written. `save-all flush` writes everything at once and freezes the server for a moment.
- `save-off`: stops writing the world files so you can copy them for a backup. It "is reset each time the server restarts".
- `save-on`: writes again. Forgetting it after `save-off` means anything built since is lost if the server crashes.
- `stop`: saves, kicks everyone and shuts the server down.

On 1up, `save-all` is a quick command. `save-off` and `save-on` are not offered, because backups are taken by the **Backups** tab. A typed `stop` gets this answer: "The console does not stop or restart the server. Use the ■ Stop or ↻ Restart buttons above, which save the world first." If the server stutters after a save, our [RAM guide](https://1up-servers.com/en/blog/how-much-ram-minecraft-server/) explains how to measure it with spark, which our console also runs. Mods add their own commands too; our [mods guide](https://1up-servers.com/en/blog/how-to-install-mods-on-a-minecraft-server/) covers installing them.

## 8. Bedrock differences: allowlist vs whitelist

Bedrock Dedicated Server shares most command names, with a few differences that matter to an admin:

- **Allowlist, not whitelist.** The [Microsoft Learn page](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/minecraft/creator/commands/commands/allowlist?view=minecraft-bedrock-stable) lists `allowlist add`, `remove`, `list`, `reload`, `on` and `off`, with `/whitelist` as an alias. The file is `allowlist.json`, and the server.properties key was renamed from `white-list` to `allow-list` in Bedrock 1.18.10.
- **Ops are not exempt.** On Bedrock, the wiki says players "*must* be whitelisted regardless of operator status".
- **No vanilla ban.** `ban` and `pardon` are Java only. On Bedrock you remove a player with `kick` and keep them out with the allowlist.
- **Roles instead of numbers.** Players are visitor, member or operator, stored in `permissions.json`; `op` needs level 2 rather than 3.
- **Old game rule names.** Bedrock still uses lowercase names such as `keepinventory` and `dodaylightcycle`.

On our [Bedrock servers](https://1up-servers.com/en/minecraft-bedrock-edition/) the console offers `allowlist add`, `remove`, `list` and `reload` and a set of true/false game rules, and the Players tab has the same allowlist switch.

**Shortcut: on 1up it takes three clicks**

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Tested on Minecraft: Java Edition 26.3 (the default version in our wizard), 26.2 and 26.1.2, and Bedrock Dedicated Server 1.26.52.3, 2026-10-06. Syntax and permission levels come from the Minecraft Wiki and Microsoft Learn; the panel behaviour comes from our production code (1up v0.258.0). We did not run every command on a live server for this guide.

**Change log**

- 2026-10-06: first version.

NOT AN OFFICIAL MINECRAFT SERVICE. NOT APPROVED BY OR ASSOCIATED WITH MOJANG OR MICROSOFT.

## Frequently asked questions

In the game, open the chat and type the command with a slash, such as /list. You need operator status for most commands. In the server console, type it without the slash. The 1up console accepts both.

About the author[Baurtock](https://1up-servers.com/en/blog/author/baurtock/)Founder, developer and support

NOT AN OFFICIAL MINECRAFT SERVICE. NOT APPROVED BY OR ASSOCIATED WITH MOJANG OR MICROSOFT.

## Keep reading

[Minecraft: Java Edition · 8 min**Minecraft server.properties Explained: Every Key, Default and Panel Field**](https://1up-servers.com/en/blog/minecraft-server-properties-explained/)[Minecraft: Java Edition · 7 min**Fix Minecraft Server Lag: TPS, spark and Paper Settings**](https://1up-servers.com/en/blog/fix-minecraft-server-lag/)[Minecraft: Java Edition · 10 min**25 Best Minecraft Plugins for a Friends Server (Paper 26.3)**](https://1up-servers.com/en/blog/best-minecraft-plugins-friends-server/)