Create Mod Server Guide: Optimization, Contraptions, and Crashes

The Create mod is one of the most popular Minecraft mods for a reason: its mechanical contraptions, trains, and automation feel incredible to build and use. But on a multiplayer server, poorly optimized Create setups can tank performance. Here's how to run Create well on a server.

Server Requirements for Create

Create is moderately demanding. A survival server with Create (and typical addon mods like Create Crafts & Additions) needs:

CPU matters more than RAM for Create. Every active contraption, rotating shaft, moving assembly and train adds processing load to the server tick. A high-clock Ryzen 9 handles this well, which is why the Space-Node Premium Minecraft plans in the Netherlands, Germany, Poland and Canada run on a Ryzen 9 9950X. The CPU is shared on all our plans; Premium gets 600 to 800% CPU (6 to 8 vCores) under fair use. Our Create server hosting page lists the plan sizes we suggest for Create on its own, for Create Aeronautics and for the big Create packs.

Contraption Performance Tips

Limit Contraption Size

Large moving contraptions (100+ blocks) are expensive to process because the server has to move them and work out their collisions every tick. Set server rules or use config limits.

The limit lives in Create's server config. On NeoForge 1.21.1 that is config/create-server.toml, and a copy in world/serverconfig overrides it for that world. On Forge 1.20.1 the file is world/serverconfig/create-server.toml, created the first time the server starts with that world. Find maxBlocksMoved under [kinetics.contraptions]; it is 2048 by default on both. To cap contraptions at 128 blocks:

maxBlocksMoved = 128

The same file holds the schematic upload limits under [schematics]; our Create schematics guide lists them.

Train Network Management

Create trains are smooth and fun, but each active train is a continuously moving contraption. For servers with extensive rail networks:

• Create moves every train on each server tick, also where no player is nearby, so a big network costs server time even when nobody is online
• Encourage stations in populated areas, not spread across the map
• Keep the train limits under [trains] in the same file sensible: maxBogeyCount is 20 by default and maxAssemblyLength (the station track a train is assembled on) is 128 blocks

Rotating Contraption Optimization

Windmills, waterwheels, and mechanical setups that run constantly consume less CPU than moving contraptions, but they still add up. A factory with 50 spinning shafts is noticeable.

Encourage players to:

• Use one large water wheel instead of many small ones
• Consolidate shaft networks
• Turn off unused machines with clutches

Common Create Server Issues

Server lag during contraption assembly: A contraption is assembled when its bearing, piston or other mover starts, for example when a mechanical bearing gets rotational power. At that moment the server gathers the entire block structure in a single tick, which can cause a brief lag spike for very large builds.

Fix: Set maxBlocksMoved lower and communicate limits to players.

Players cannot join after an update: On NeoForge 1.21.1, Create tags its network traffic with its own version number, and the server refuses a player whose Create version differs from its own.

Fix: Update Create and its addons on the server and on every player's game at the same time.

Item processing lag: Processing lines that drop items into the world, such as fans blowing on loose items or belts that end in open air, can leave hundreds of item entities lying around.

Fix: Process items on belts or depots instead of as dropped items, and end every line in a chest or vault so nothing spills.

Recommended Create Server Modpack Additions

For pure Create servers, add these companion mods:

• Create: Steam 'n' Rails: extended train features
• Create Crafts & Additions: electricity integration
• Create: Connected: quality of life blocks that fit right into Create
• JEI/REI: recipe viewer (essential for learning Create)
• Jade/WAILA: block info overlay
• Spark: performance monitoring

Keep the mod count focused. Every extra mod adds memory and processing overhead. A lean Create server with 20 to 30 mods performs better than a kitchen-sink pack with 200 mods and Create thrown in.

Server Rules for Create Performance

Post these rules to keep your server running smooth:

1. Maximum contraption size: 128 blocks
2. Maximum active trains per player: 3
3. No infinite item loops without collection (items on ground kill TPS)
4. All processing must have output storage (no overflowing belts)
5. Turn off unused machinery when AFK

These aren't arbitrary limits: each one targets one of the performance problems described above.