Running a Minecraft server can be a rewarding experience, but server performance can be affected by the dynamic generation of chunks as players explore new areas. One way to reduce lag and improve performance is by pre-generating chunks in your Minecraft world. This ensures that chunks are loaded ahead of time, allowing players to explore the world smoothly without causing server strain. In this guide, we’ll explore how to pre-generate chunks in Minecraft, including the tools and plugins you can use, such as Chunky and Chunk Pregenerator, to optimize your server.
Why Pre-generate Chunks in Minecraft?
Pre-generating chunks means that the Minecraft server processes and saves the chunks before players explore those areas. This reduces the amount of real-time chunk generation required when players are online, improving server performance and reducing lag spikes. By pre-generating the world, you ensure that new areas are already loaded and ready to be accessed without any delays.
Benefits of Pre-generating Chunks:
- Reduced Lag: Chunks are generated and saved ahead of time, meaning less server load when players move into new areas.
- Smoother Player Experience: Players experience fewer loading delays, making exploration faster and more enjoyable.
- Better Performance for Large Worlds: In larger worlds or multiplayer servers, pre-generating chunks helps reduce the strain of loading new areas as players explore.
How to Pre-generate Chunks in a Minecraft Server
There are several methods and tools you can use to pre-generate chunks on your Minecraft server. Whether you prefer mods, plugins, or manual commands, each approach can help optimize your world.
1. Using Chunky Plugin to Pre-generate Chunks
Chunky is one of the most popular plugins for Bukkit/Spigot/Paper servers, designed specifically to pre-generate chunks. It’s easy to use and provides detailed control over which chunks to generate.
How to Use Chunky:
- Install the Chunky Plugin:
- Download the Chunky plugin from Spigot or another trusted source and place it in the plugins folder of your Minecraft server.
- Launch Your Server:
- Start or restart your Minecraft server to load the plugin.
- Basic Commands:
- /chunky radius [value]: This command sets the radius of chunks you want to pre-generate, starting from your location or a specified point. For example,
/chunky radius 500will generate chunks in a 500-block radius around the current location. - /chunky start: After setting the radius, this command starts the chunk pre-generation process.
- /chunky pause/resume: These commands pause or resume the chunk generation process, which is useful if you need to adjust server settings or prevent lag during high-traffic times.
- /chunky radius [value]: This command sets the radius of chunks you want to pre-generate, starting from your location or a specified point. For example,
- Monitor Progress:
- Use the /chunky status command to view the current progress of chunk generation, including how many chunks have been generated and how many are remaining.
Chunky Features:
- Customizable Radius: Generate chunks in a specified radius from a central point or the player’s current location.
- Scheduled Tasks: Pre-generate chunks on a schedule to prevent server overload.
- Multidimensional: Works in the Overworld, Nether, and End.
2. Using Minecraft Chunk Pregenerator Mod
For players using Forge or Fabric, the Minecraft Chunk Pregenerator mod is an excellent tool for pre-generating chunks in single-player worlds or modded servers. It offers in-depth configuration options and is compatible with both vanilla and modded Minecraft environments.
How to Use the Chunk Pregenerator Mod:
- Install the Chunk Pregenerator Mod:
- Download the Chunk Pregenerator mod from CurseForge and place it in your mods folder if you’re using Forge or Fabric.
- Open Your World:
- Launch Minecraft and open the world where you want to pre-generate chunks. The mod works for both single-player worlds and multiplayer servers.
- Basic Commands:
- /pregen start [radius]: Begins chunk pre-generation within a specific radius from your current position. For example,
/pregen start 1000will pre-generate all chunks in a 1000-block radius. - /pregen stop: Stops the chunk generation process if you need to pause or adjust settings.
- /pregen status: Provides real-time feedback on the progress of chunk generation.
- /pregen start [radius]: Begins chunk pre-generation within a specific radius from your current position. For example,
- Customize Pre-generation Settings:
- The mod allows for more advanced settings like pre-generating specific biomes or areas of interest. You can specify dimensions such as the Nether or End as well.
3. Manually Pre-generating Chunks
If you’re running a vanilla server or don’t want to install plugins or mods, you can manually pre-generate chunks using in-game commands or WorldEdit.
Using WorldEdit:
- Install WorldEdit: Add WorldEdit as a plugin or mod to your server.
- Select Area: Use the WorldEdit wand (usually a wooden axe) to select a large area where you want chunks to be generated.
- Use Chunk Generation Command: You can use the
/fillor/setbiomecommands to force Minecraft to load and generate chunks within the selected area.
4. Pre-generating Worlds with Chunky (GUI Version)
Chunky Minecraft, or MC Chunky, is a world pre-generator tool that includes a graphical user interface (GUI) for pre-generating chunks in Minecraft. This is a standalone tool, often used by server admins or players who want an easy-to-use program to manage chunk generation without command-line input.
How to Use Chunky Minecraft:
- Download MC Chunky:
- Download the Chunky tool from the official website or trusted Minecraft modding communities.
- Set Up Your World:
- Open the tool and load your Minecraft world (either single-player or a server world).
- Choose Radius and Location:
- Select the radius around the spawn or another specific location where chunks should be generated.
- Start the Process:
- Click the “Start” button to begin generating chunks. The tool will display the progress and completion time.
- Custom Options:
- The Chunky tool allows you to adjust settings like world height, biome blending, and generation speed.
Managing Pre-generated Chunks: Best Practices
1. Set Reasonable Limits:
Pre-generating too many chunks at once can cause server lag or use excessive disk space. Stick to reasonable chunk sizes based on your server’s player count and exploration needs.
2. Monitor Server Performance:
If you’re pre-generating chunks on a live server, keep an eye on performance metrics such as TPS (ticks per second). Use /chunky pause if needed to prevent server overload.
3. Optimize Dimensions:
Don’t forget to pre-generate chunks in the Nether and End if players will be exploring those dimensions extensively.
4. Schedule Pre-generation:
On larger servers, consider scheduling chunk pre-generation during low-traffic times to avoid disrupting gameplay for other players.
Conclusion
Pre-generating chunks in Minecraft is a great way to ensure smoother gameplay, reduce lag, and provide players with a more seamless exploration experience. Tools like Chunky, the Chunk Pregenerator mod, and other plugins make the process easy and manageable, whether you’re running a small server or a large modded world. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be able to optimize your Minecraft world for better performance and faster load times.
