> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://catalyst.leifiyo.dev/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Quickstart

> Create and run a Minecraft server in Catalyst.

This guide creates a server, accepts the EULA, starts it, and shows where to manage the running instance.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Install Catalyst">
    Use the packaged desktop app from the project release, or run the app locally from source with `npm run dev`. For development setup, see [Build and test](/docs/developers/build-and-test).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Servers">
    Go to **Servers** from the sidebar and choose **Create server**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a platform">
    Pick **Paper**, **Purpur**, **Fabric**, or **Vanilla**. Paper and Purpur can install the bundled CatalystAnalytics plugin during creation.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set memory">
    Choose a preset such as 2 GB, 4 GB, or 8 GB, or use a custom value. Catalyst clamps custom RAM to a safe value based on system memory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create the server">
    Catalyst resolves the server download, checks the required Java version, downloads the server JAR, writes `start.bat`, and saves the server record.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Accept the EULA and start">
    Open the server detail page, accept the Minecraft EULA when prompted, then start the server. The console changes to online after the server prints its ready message.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Only accept the Minecraft EULA if you have read and agree to Mojang's terms. Catalyst writes `eula=true` into the server folder after you confirm.
</Warning>

## First things to check

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="Console" icon="terminal" href="/docs/guides/console-and-lifecycle">
    Watch startup logs, send commands, and restart through Catalyst instead of the raw `restart` command.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Properties" icon="sliders-horizontal" href="/docs/guides/server-properties">
    Edit MOTD, difficulty, view distance, max players, PVP, whitelist settings, and other server properties.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Backups" icon="archive" href="/docs/guides/backups">
    Configure automatic backups before players build anything important.
  </Card>

  <Card title="ngrok" icon="radio-tower" href="/docs/guides/ngrok">
    Add an ngrok authtoken in Settings when you need a public TCP address.
  </Card>
</Columns>

<Tip>
  If the first start takes longer than expected, leave the detail page open. Catalyst may be downloading a managed Java runtime that matches the selected Minecraft version.
</Tip>