How to Install a Custom Modpack via FTP

This guide is for uploading a custom modpack you have created or customized yourself, such as one built on CurseForge, to your MintServers host. This process involves extracting the necessary files from your modpack and uploading them to the server using an FTP client. We will use CurseForge for accessing your modpack files and FileZilla for uploading.

Part 1: Preparing Your Modpack Files

To ensure your server runs smoothly, you need to upload only the server-compatible files from your modpack. Client-side mods must be removed, as they will cause the server to crash instantly upon startup.

Step 1: Access Your Modpack Files on CurseForge

If you have created or customized a modpack on CurseForge, you can access its files directly through the app.

1. Open the CurseForge app on your computer and navigate to your modpack.
2. Right-click on the modpack to find Open Folder and click that button.
3. This will open the modpack's directory on your computer, where you will find folders like mods, config, and scripts.

Step 2: Remove Client-Side Mods and Prepare Files

Review the mods folder and any other relevant folders. Identify and delete any client-side-only mods, such as Sodium, OptiFine, minimaps, or other visual and performance mods that only affect the player's screen. Once cleaned, your modpack folder should contain only server-compatible files like content mods, libraries, and APIs.

Part 2: Uploading the Files to Your Server

Now we will connect to your MintServers host and upload the prepared files from your modpack.

Step 3: Connect to Your Server via FTP

FTP is the most reliable way to upload a large number of files. Before proceeding, you must connect to your server using an FTP client like FileZilla or WinSCP.

Step 4: Clean Your Server and Upload Files

To prevent conflicts, it is always best to start with a completely empty server directory.

1. In your FTP client, make sure you see your computer's files on the left and your server's directory on the right. If your server is not empty, delete all the existing files and folders first.
2. On the left side (your computer), navigate to the prepared modpack folder you cleaned out in Step 2.
3. Select all the files and folders inside and drag them from the left panel over to the right panel (the server).

The upload will now begin. Modpacks contain thousands of files, so this process can take a very long time depending on your internet connection. Please be patient and wait for your FTP client's transfer queue to show as completely empty before closing the program.

Part 3: Final Server Configuration

Once the upload is complete, there are just a couple of final steps required on the Game Panel before you can play.

Step 5: Install the Correct Server Version

Your server needs the appropriate mod loader installed to actually read the mods you just uploaded.

1. Go to your MintServers panel and navigate to the Server Version menu on the left sidebar.
2. Select and install the exact version that matches your modpack's mod loader (e.g., Forge 1.20.1). This ensures the server has the right JAR file and dependencies installed.
3. Make sure the correct Java Version is also selected in your Game Settings tab if prompted (Java 17 for versions 1.17+, or Java 8 for older legacy packs).

Step 6: Start the Server

Go back to the Console page. You may need to accept the EULA in the eula.txt file if this is a fresh install. Then, click Start. The first startup of a massive modpack can be very slow as it generates all the new dimensions and configuration files, so allow it 5-10 minutes to load completely.

That is it! Your custom modpack is now uploaded and ready to play. If your server gets stuck in a crash loop during startup, double-check that you did not accidentally upload any client-side mods, and verify that your server's Forge or Fabric version matches your local modpack perfectly.