build(deps): bump the patches group in /docs with 2 updates

Bumps the patches group in /docs with 2 updates: [click](https://github.com/pallets/click) and [zensical](https://github.com/zensical/zensical).


Updates `click` from 8.3.3 to 8.4.0
- [Release notes](https://github.com/pallets/click/releases)
- [Changelog](https://github.com/pallets/click/blob/main/CHANGES.rst)
- [Commits](https://github.com/pallets/click/compare/8.3.3...8.4.0)

Updates `zensical` from 0.0.41 to 0.0.43
- [Release notes](https://github.com/zensical/zensical/releases)
- [Commits](https://github.com/zensical/zensical/compare/v0.0.41...v0.0.43)

---
updated-dependencies:
- dependency-name: click
  dependency-version: 8.4.0
  dependency-type: direct:production
  update-type: version-update:semver-minor
  dependency-group: patches
- dependency-name: zensical
  dependency-version: 0.0.43
  dependency-type: direct:production
  update-type: version-update:semver-patch
  dependency-group: patches
...

Signed-off-by: dependabot[bot] <support@github.com>

.github/dependabot.yml

@@ -13,9 +13,15 @@ updates:
           - minor
   - package-ecosystem: pip
     directory: "/docs"
+    labels:
+      - dependencies
+      - documentation
     schedule:
       interval: weekly
     groups:
+      docker:
+        patterns:
+          - "docker/*"
       patches:
         patterns:
           - "*"

.github/release.yml

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ changelog:
   exclude:
     authors:
       - dependabot
+      - renovate
   categories:
     - title: Enhancements
       labels:

.github/workflows/build.yml

@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ on:
       - "compose-docs.yml"
       - "zensical.toml"
       - ".readthedocs.yaml"
+      - "renovate.json5"
 
 jobs:
   build:
@@ -26,6 +27,7 @@ jobs:
         # NOTE: the "latest" variant is identified in the Docker meta step's 'latest' config
         variant:
           - java25
+          - java25-alpine
           - java25-jdk
           - java21
           - java21-alpine
@@ -41,6 +43,10 @@ jobs:
             baseImage: eclipse-temurin:25-jre
             platforms: linux/amd64,linux/arm64
             mcVersion: latest
+          - variant: java25-alpine
+            baseImage: eclipse-temurin:25-jre-alpine
+            platforms: linux/amd64,linux/arm64
+            mcVersion: latest
           - variant: java25-jdk
             baseImage: eclipse-temurin:25
             platforms: linux/amd64,linux/arm64
@@ -49,15 +55,15 @@ jobs:
           - variant: java21
             baseImage: eclipse-temurin:21-jre
             platforms: linux/amd64,linux/arm64
-            mcVersion: latest
+            mcVersion: 1.21.11
           - variant: java21-jdk
             baseImage: eclipse-temurin:21
             platforms: linux/amd64,linux/arm64
-            mcVersion: latest
+            mcVersion: 1.21.11
           - variant: java21-alpine
             baseImage: eclipse-temurin:21-jre-alpine
             platforms: linux/amd64,linux/arm64
-            mcVersion: latest
+            mcVersion: 1.21.11
         # JAVA 17:
           - variant: java17
             # jammy doesn't work until minecraft updates to https://github.com/netty/netty/issues/12343
@@ -79,14 +85,14 @@ jobs:
             baseImage: eclipse-temurin:8u312-b07-jre-focal
             platforms: linux/amd64,linux/arm/v7,linux/arm64
             mcVersion: 1.12.2
-            # Pin version for Java 8
-            mcHelperVersion: 1.51.1
+            # Pin version for Java 8, also be sure to set in verify-pr.yml
+            mcHelperVersion: 1.51.3-java8
           - variant: java8-jdk
             baseImage: eclipse-temurin:8u312-b07-jdk-focal
             platforms: linux/amd64,linux/arm64
             mcVersion: 1.12.2
-            # Pin version for Java 8
-            mcHelperVersion: 1.51.1
+            # Pin version for Java 8, also be sure to set in verify-pr.yml
+            mcHelperVersion: 1.51.3-java8
     env:
       IMAGE_TO_TEST: "${{ github.repository_owner }}/minecraft-server:test-${{ matrix.variant }}-${{ github.run_id }}"
       HAS_IMAGE_REPO_ACCESS: ${{ secrets.DOCKER_USER != '' && secrets.DOCKER_PASSWORD != '' }}
@@ -101,7 +107,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Docker meta
         id: meta
-        uses: docker/metadata-action@v5.10.0
+        uses: docker/metadata-action@v6.0.0
         with:
           # NOTE for forks: if your Docker Hub organization doesn't match your Github repo's,
           # then the use of ${{ github.repository_owner }} will need to be replaced.
@@ -131,13 +137,13 @@ jobs:
             org.opencontainers.image.authors=Geoff Bourne <itzgeoff@gmail.com>
 
       - name: Setup Docker Buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3.12.0
+        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v4.0.0
 
       - name: Set up QEMU
-        uses: docker/setup-qemu-action@v3.7.0
+        uses: docker/setup-qemu-action@v4.0.0
 
       - name: Build for test
-        uses: docker/build-push-action@v6.18.0
+        uses: docker/build-push-action@v7.1.0
         with:
           platforms: linux/amd64
           tags: ${{ env.IMAGE_TO_TEST }}
@@ -162,14 +168,14 @@ jobs:
           tests/test.sh
 
       - name: Login to DockerHub
-        uses: docker/login-action@v3.7.0
+        uses: docker/login-action@v4.1.0
         if: env.HAS_IMAGE_REPO_ACCESS
         with:
           username: ${{ secrets.DOCKER_USER }}
           password: ${{ secrets.DOCKER_PASSWORD }}
 
       - name: Login to GHCR
-        uses: docker/login-action@v3.7.0
+        uses: docker/login-action@v4.1.0
         if: env.HAS_IMAGE_REPO_ACCESS
         with:
           registry: ghcr.io
@@ -177,7 +183,7 @@ jobs:
           password: ${{ github.token }}
 
       - name: Build and push
-        uses: docker/build-push-action@v6.18.0
+        uses: docker/build-push-action@v7.1.0
         if: github.actor == github.repository_owner
         with:
           platforms: ${{ matrix.platforms }}

.github/workflows/discord.yml

@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ jobs:
     steps:
       - name: on-publish
         if: github.event_name == 'release' && github.event.action == 'published'
-        uses: SethCohen/github-releases-to-discord@v1.19.0
+        uses: SethCohen/github-releases-to-discord@v1.20.0
         with:
           webhook_url: ${{ secrets.DISCORD_WEBHOOK }}
       - name: on-success

.github/workflows/issue-label.yml

@@ -1,33 +1,17 @@
-name: Issue labels
+name: Issues notify
 
 on:
   issues:
-    types: [labeled, reopened, closed, deleted]
-
-env:
-  DISCORD_WEBHOOK: ${{ secrets.DISCORD_ISSUES_WEBHOOK }}
+    types:
+      - opened
+      - labeled
+      - unlabeled
+      - closed
 
 jobs:
-  labelNotify:
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    timeout-minutes: 5
-    steps:
-      - name: notify on label
-        if: > 
-          github.event.label.name == 'enhancement' 
-          || github.event.label.name == 'bug' 
-          || github.event.label.name == 'help wanted'
-          || github.event.label.name == 'priority/high'
-          || github.event.label.name == 'question'
-          || github.event.label.name == 'status/waiting on upstream'
-        uses: Ilshidur/action-discord@master
-        with:
-          args: "[${{ github.event.issue.title }} (#${{ github.event.issue.number }})](<${{ github.event.issue.html_url }}>) added `${{ github.event.label.name }}` label"
-      - name: notify on action change
-        if: > 
-          github.event.action == 'closed'
-          || github.event.action == 'reopened'
-          || github.event.action == 'deleted'
-        uses: Ilshidur/action-discord@master
-        with:
-          args: "[${{ github.event.issue.title }} (#${{ github.event.issue.number }})](<${{ github.event.issue.html_url }}>) has been `${{ github.event.action }}` by `${{ github.event.sender.login }}`"
+  notify:
+    uses: itzg/github-workflows/.github/workflows/issues-notify-discord.yml@main
+    with:
+      triageLabel: 'status/needs triage'
+    secrets:
+      discordWebhook: "${{secrets.DISCORD_ISSUES_WEBHOOK}}"

.github/workflows/verify-pr.yml

@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ on:
       - "compose-docs.yml"
       - "zensical.toml"
       - ".readthedocs.yaml"
+      - "renovate.json5"
 
 jobs:
   build:
@@ -22,7 +23,7 @@ jobs:
       matrix:
         variant:
           - java25
-          - java21-alpine
+          - java25-alpine
           - java17
           - java8
         include:
@@ -31,8 +32,8 @@ jobs:
             baseImage: eclipse-temurin:25-jre
             platforms: linux/amd64,linux/arm64
             mcVersion: latest
-          - variant: java21-alpine
-            baseImage: eclipse-temurin:21-jre-alpine
+          - variant: java25-alpine
+            baseImage: eclipse-temurin:25-jre-alpine
             platforms: linux/amd64,linux/arm64
             mcVersion: latest
         # JAVA 17:
@@ -45,8 +46,8 @@ jobs:
             baseImage: eclipse-temurin:8u312-b07-jre-focal
             platforms: linux/amd64
             mcVersion: 1.12.2
-            # Pin version for Java 8
-            mcHelperVersion: 1.51.1
+            # Pin version for Java 8, be sure to also set in build.yml
+            mcHelperVersion: 1.51.3-java8
     env:
       IMAGE_TO_TEST: ${{ github.repository_owner }}/minecraft-server:test-${{ matrix.variant }}-${{ github.run_id }}
     runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
@@ -58,10 +59,10 @@ jobs:
           fetch-depth: 0
 
       - name: Setup Docker Buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3.12.0
+        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v4.0.0
 
       - name: Confirm multi-arch build
-        uses: docker/build-push-action@v6.18.0
+        uses: docker/build-push-action@v7.1.0
         with:
           platforms: ${{ matrix.platforms }}
           # ensure latest base image is used
@@ -72,7 +73,7 @@ jobs:
           cache-from: type=gha,scope=${{ matrix.variant }}
 
       - name: Build for test
-        uses: docker/build-push-action@v6.18.0
+        uses: docker/build-push-action@v7.1.0
         with:
           # Only build single platform since loading multi-arch image into daemon fails with
           # "docker exporter does not currently support exporting manifest lists"

.readthedocs.yaml

@@ -1,19 +1,15 @@
 version: 2
 
-python:
-  install:
-    - requirements: docs/requirements.txt
-
 build:
   os: ubuntu-24.04
   tools:
-    python: latest
+    python: "3.14"
   jobs:
     # We recommend using a requirements file for reproducible builds.
     # This is just a quick example to get started.
     # https://docs.readthedocs.io/page/guides/reproducible-builds.html
     install:
-      - pip install zensical
+      - pip install -r docs/requirements.txt
     build:
       html:
         - zensical build

Dockerfile

@@ -25,32 +25,37 @@ EXPOSE 25565
 ARG APPS_REV=1
 ARG GITHUB_BASEURL=https://github.com
 
-ARG EASY_ADD_VERSION=0.8.11
+# renovate: datasource=github-releases packageName=itzg/easy-add
+ARG EASY_ADD_VERSION=0.8.13
 ADD ${GITHUB_BASEURL}/itzg/easy-add/releases/download/${EASY_ADD_VERSION}/easy-add_${TARGETOS}_${TARGETARCH}${TARGETVARIANT} /usr/bin/easy-add
 RUN chmod +x /usr/bin/easy-add
 
-ARG RESTIFY_VERSION=1.7.11
+# renovate: datasource=github-releases packageName=itzg/restify
+ARG RESTIFY_VERSION=1.7.14
 RUN easy-add --var os=${TARGETOS} --var arch=${TARGETARCH}${TARGETVARIANT} \
   --var version=${RESTIFY_VERSION} --var app=restify --file {{.app}} \
   --from ${GITHUB_BASEURL}/itzg/{{.app}}/releases/download/{{.version}}/{{.app}}_{{.version}}_{{.os}}_{{.arch}}.tar.gz
 
-ARG RCON_CLI_VERSION=1.7.3
+# renovate: datasource=github-releases packageName=itzg/rcon-cli
+ARG RCON_CLI_VERSION=1.7.5
 RUN easy-add --var os=${TARGETOS} --var arch=${TARGETARCH}${TARGETVARIANT} \
   --var version=${RCON_CLI_VERSION} --var app=rcon-cli --file {{.app}} \
   --from ${GITHUB_BASEURL}/itzg/{{.app}}/releases/download/{{.version}}/{{.app}}_{{.version}}_{{.os}}_{{.arch}}.tar.gz
 
-ARG MC_MONITOR_VERSION=0.16.0
+# renovate: datasource=github-releases packageName=itzg/mc-monitor
+ARG MC_MONITOR_VERSION=0.16.4
 RUN easy-add --var os=${TARGETOS} --var arch=${TARGETARCH}${TARGETVARIANT} \
   --var version=${MC_MONITOR_VERSION} --var app=mc-monitor --file {{.app}} \
   --from ${GITHUB_BASEURL}/itzg/{{.app}}/releases/download/{{.version}}/{{.app}}_{{.version}}_{{.os}}_{{.arch}}.tar.gz
 
-ARG MC_SERVER_RUNNER_VERSION=1.14.1
+# renovate: datasource=github-releases packageName=itzg/mc-server-runner
+ARG MC_SERVER_RUNNER_VERSION=1.14.7
 RUN easy-add --var os=${TARGETOS} --var arch=${TARGETARCH}${TARGETVARIANT} \
   --var version=${MC_SERVER_RUNNER_VERSION} --var app=mc-server-runner --file {{.app}} \
   --from ${GITHUB_BASEURL}/itzg/{{.app}}/releases/download/{{.version}}/{{.app}}_{{.version}}_{{.os}}_{{.arch}}.tar.gz
 
-
-ARG MC_HELPER_VERSION=1.54.0
+# renovate: datasource=github-releases packageName=itzg/mc-image-helper versioning=loose
+ARG MC_HELPER_VERSION=1.58.0
 ARG MC_HELPER_BASE_URL=${GITHUB_BASEURL}/itzg/mc-image-helper/releases/download/${MC_HELPER_VERSION}
 # used for cache busting local copy of mc-image-helper
 ARG MC_HELPER_REV=1

README.md

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 [![](https://img.shields.io/badge/Donate-Buy%20me%20a%20coffee-orange.svg)](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/itzg)
 [![Documentation Status](https://readthedocs.org/projects/docker-minecraft-server/badge/?version=latest)](https://docker-minecraft-server.readthedocs.io/en/latest/?badge=latest)
 
- [![Read the docs](docs/img/docs-banner.png)](https://docker-minecraft-server.readthedocs.io/)
+ [![Read the docs](docs/img/banner-docs.png)](https://docker-minecraft-server.readthedocs.io/)
 
 There you will find things like
 - [Quick start with Docker Compose](https://docker-minecraft-server.readthedocs.io/en/latest/#using-docker-compose)
@@ -19,3 +19,26 @@ There you will find things like
 There are also many examples located in [the examples directory](examples) of this repo.
 
 This image only supports Java edition natively; however, if looking for a server that is compatible with Bedrock edition, then use [itzg/minecraft-bedrock-server](https://github.com/itzg/docker-minecraft-bedrock-server) or [refer to this section](https://docker-minecraft-server.readthedocs.io/en/latest/misc/examples/#bedrock-compatible-server) to add Bedrock compatibility to a Java edition server.
+
+[![Sponsors](docs/img/banner-sponsors.png)](#sponsors)
+
+<a name="sponsors"></a>
+
+<a href="https://spawnbox.app"><img src="https://spawnbox.app/favicon-48x48.png" alt="SpawnBox logo" width="48" align="left" /></a>
+
+<a href="https://spawnbox.app"><b>SpawnBox</b></a> - Powered by <code>itzg/minecraft-server</code>, it's a Windows desktop app for parents, teens, and friend groups who want a Minecraft server on their own PC without learning Docker, WSL2, or networking.
+
+<br clear="left" />
+
+<a href="https://server.pro"><img src="https://server.pro/s/img/logo-short-192.png" alt="Server.pro logo" width="48" align="left" /></a>
+
+<a href="https://server.pro"><b>Server.pro</b></a> - A game server hosting platform offering one-click Minecraft server deployment powered by <code>itzg/minecraft-server</code>, with global locations and an easy-to-use control panel.
+
+<br clear="left" />
+
+<!-- additional sponsors repeat the pattern above: floated logo + blurb + clear-left break -->
+<!-- logo image preferrably hosted on an external, stable site at a size of 48x48px -->
+<!-- link to sponsor site -->
+<!-- one or two line summary ideally with a mention of image integration -->
+
+[and more...](https://github.com/sponsors/itzg)

build/alpine/install-packages.sh

@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ apk add --no-cache -U \
     curl \
     iputils \
     git \
+    git-lfs \
     jq \
     mysql-client \
     tzdata \
@@ -31,6 +32,7 @@ apk add --no-cache -U \
     libpcap \
     libwebp \
     libcap \
+    numactl \
     ${EXTRA_ALPINE_PACKAGES}
 
 # Download and install patched knockd
@@ -44,4 +46,5 @@ cat <<EOF >> /etc/gitconfig
 [user]
 	name = Minecraft Server on Docker
 	email = server@example.com
-EOF
+EOF
+git lfs install

build/ol/install-packages.sh

@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ dnf install -y \
   zstd \
   $([ "$os_major_version" -ge 10 ] && echo 'bzip2' || echo 'lbzip2') \
   libpcap \
+  libcap \
   libwebp \
   findutils \
   which \
@@ -81,3 +82,4 @@ cat <<EOF >> /etc/gitconfig
 	name = Minecraft Server on Docker
 	email = server@example.com
 EOF
+git lfs install

build/ubuntu/install-packages.sh

@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ apt-get install -y \
   iputils-ping \
   curl \
   git \
+  git-lfs \
   jq \
   dos2unix \
   mysql-client \
@@ -27,13 +28,10 @@ apt-get install -y \
   lbzip2 \
   nfs-common \
   libpcap0.8 \
+  libnuma1 \
+  libcap2-bin \
   ${EXTRA_DEB_PACKAGES}
 
-# Install Git LFS
-curl -s https://packagecloud.io/install/repositories/github/git-lfs/script.deb.sh | sudo bash
-apt-get update
-apt-get install -y git-lfs
-
 # Clean up APT when done
 apt-get clean
 
@@ -50,3 +48,4 @@ cat <<EOF >> /etc/gitconfig
 	name = Minecraft Server on Docker
 	email = server@example.com
 EOF
+git lfs install

compose-dev.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+services:
+  mc-dev:
+    build:
+      context: .
+    environment:
+      EULA: true
+    volumes:
+      - ./scripts:/image/scripts:ro
+      - data:/data
+    ports:
+      - "25565:25565"
+    stdin_open: true
+    tty: true
+volumes:
+  data:

docs/configuration/misc-options.md

@@ -22,6 +22,12 @@ docker run -d --pull=always \
     -p 25565:25565 -e EULA=TRUE --name mc itzg/minecraft-server
 ```
 
+## Clean server libraries
+
+By default, supported server types remove stale server libraries during installation by setting `CLEAN_SERVER_LIBRARIES` to `true`. Set `CLEAN_SERVER_LIBRARIES` to `false` to disable this cleanup if it causes unexpected behavior.
+
+Currently, library cleanup is supported by `TYPE=PAPER`. Other server jar types are not yet supported.
+
 ## Running as alternate user/group ID
 
 By default, the container will switch to and run the Minecraft server as user ID 1000 and group ID 1000; however, that can be changed by setting the environment variables `UID` and `GID`.
@@ -166,7 +172,7 @@ such as:
 
 ## HTTP Proxy
 
-You may configure the use of an HTTP/HTTPS proxy by passing the proxy's "host:port" via the environment variable `PROXY`. In [the example compose file](https://github.com/itzg/docker-minecraft-server/blob/master/examples/docker-compose-proxied.yml) it references a Squid proxy. The host and port can be separately passed via the environment variables `PROXY_HOST` and `PROXY_PORT`. A `|` delimited list of hosts to exclude from proxying can be passed via `PROXY_NON_PROXY_HOSTS`.
+You may configure the use of an HTTP/HTTPS proxy by passing the proxy's "host:port" via the environment variable `PROXY`. In [the example compose file](https://github.com/itzg/docker-minecraft-server/blob/master/examples/proxied/compose.yml) it references a Squid proxy. The host and port can be separately passed via the environment variables `PROXY_HOST` and `PROXY_PORT`. A `|` delimited list of hosts to exclude from proxying can be passed via `PROXY_NON_PROXY_HOSTS`.
 
 ## Using "noconsole" option
 

docs/img/banner-docs.txt

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ Small, none, Minecraftia
 
 Line 2:
 "Documentation"
-Large, non, Minecrafter
+Large, none, Minecrafter
 
 Overall settings:
 - drop shadow

docs/img/banner-sponsors.txt

@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+Generated at https://textcraft.net/
+
+Line 1:
+"Sponsors"
+Mid
+None
+Minecrafter
+Drop shadow
+3d-style view

docs/misc/autopause-autostop/autostop.md

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ An option to stop the server after a specified time has been added for niche app
 
 A `.skip-stop` file can be created in the `/data` directory to make the server skip autostopping, for as long as the file is present. The autostop timer will also be reset.
 
-A starting, example compose file has been provided in [examples/docker-compose-autostop.yml](https://github.com/itzg/docker-minecraft-server/blob/master/examples/docker-compose-autostop.yml).
+A starting, example compose file has been provided in [examples/autostop/compose.yml](https://github.com/itzg/docker-minecraft-server/blob/master/examples/autostop/compose.yml).
 
 Enable the Autostop functionality by setting:
 

docs/misc/building.md

@@ -1,4 +1,84 @@
 
+## Simple image additions
+
+You can easily build upon the base image using an inline Dockerfile.
+
+```yaml title="compose.yaml"
+services:
+  mc:
+    build:
+      context: .
+      dockerfile_inline: |
+        FROM itzg/minecraft-server:latest
+
+        RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y \
+            webp \
+            && rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/*
+      pull: true # Always pull new base image
+    pull_policy: build
+    restart: unless-stopped
+    environment:
+      EULA: true
+    ports:
+      - "25565:25565/tcp"
+    volumes:
+      - ./data:/data
+```
+
+Here is an example to add Nvidia GPU support for C2ME:
+
+??? Example "C2ME GPU example"
+    ```yaml title="compose.yaml"
+    
+    services:
+      mc:
+        build:
+          context: .
+          dockerfile_inline: |
+            FROM itzg/minecraft-server:java25
+    
+            # Install OpenCL loader and NVIDIA driver capabilities
+            RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y \
+                ocl-icd-libopencl1 \
+                opencl-headers \
+                clinfo \
+                && rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/*
+    
+            # 1. Create the vendor directory
+            # 2. Tell OpenCL to use the NVIDIA library
+            RUN mkdir -p /etc/OpenCL/vendors && \
+                echo "libnvidia-opencl.so.1" > /etc/OpenCL/vendors/nvidia.icd
+    
+            # Tell the NVIDIA container runtime to expose all GPU capabilities (including compute/utility)
+            ENV NVIDIA_VISIBLE_DEVICES all
+            ENV NVIDIA_DRIVER_CAPABILITIES compute,utility,graphics,video
+    
+            COPY ./mods /mods
+          pull: true # Always pull new base image
+        pull_policy: build
+        restart: unless-stopped
+        deploy:
+          resources:
+            reservations:
+              devices:
+                - driver: nvidia
+                  count: 1
+                  capabilities: [gpu]
+        environment:
+          EULA: true
+          TYPE: "FABRIC"
+          VERSION: 1.21.10
+          MEMORY: 8G
+          MODRINTH_PROJECTS: |-
+            fabric-api
+            c2me
+        ports:
+          - "25565:25565/tcp"
+        volumes:
+          - ./data:/data
+    ```
+
+
 !!! tip "For advanced use only"
 
     This page describes a capability that is not applicable to most users. It is only intended for rare cases when a very specific Java base image is needed or additional packages need to be installed that are not generally applicable or would bloat the image size.

docs/misc/contributing/development.md

@@ -11,62 +11,40 @@ Adding a new server `TYPE` can vary due to the complexity of obtaining and confi
 
 ## Iterative script development
 
-Individual scripts can be iteratively developed, debugged, and tested using the following procedure.
-
-First, build a baseline of the image to include the packages needed by existing or new scripts:
-
-PowerShell: (Example of building and testing ForgeAPI)
-```powershell
-$env:FOLDER_TO_TEST="forgeapimods_projectids"
-$env:IMAGE_TO_TEST="mc-dev"
-docker build -t $env:IMAGE_TO_TEST .
-pushd "tests/setuponlytests/$env:FOLDER_TO_TEST/"
-docker compose run mc
-docker compose down -v --remove-orphans
-popd
-```
-
-PowerShell: Building different images of Java for testing
-```powershell
-$env:BASE_IMAGE='eclipse-temurin:8u312-b07-jre'
-$env:IMAGE_TO_TEST="mc-dev"
-docker build --build-arg BASE_IMAGE=$env:BASE_IMAGE -t $env:IMAGE_TO_TEST .
-```
-
-Bash: (Example of building and testing ForgeAPI)
-```bash
-export FOLDER_TO_TEST="forgeapimods_file"
-export IMAGE_TO_TEST="mc-dev"
-docker build -t $IMAGE_TO_TEST .
-pushd tests/setuponlytests/$FOLDER_TO_TEST/
-docker compose run mc
-docker compose down -v --remove-orphans
-popd
-```
-
-Using the baseline image, an interactive container can be started to iteratively run the scripts to be developed. By attaching the current workspace directory, you can use the local editor of your choice to iteratively modify scripts while using the container to run them.
+The included `compose-dev.yml` will mount the local `scripts` code into the container and allow for iterative development. Replace `[-e key=value]` with any environment variables you wish to set for testing the modified scripts.
 
 ```shell
-docker run -it --rm -v ${PWD}:/image/scripts --entrypoint bash mc-dev
+docker compose -f compose-dev.yml run --rm -it [-e key=value]  mc-dev
 ```
 
-From within the container you can run individual scripts via the attached `/image/scripts/` path; however, be sure to set any environment variables expected by the scripts by either `export`ing them manually:
+!!! tip
 
-```shell
-export VERSION=1.12.2
-/image/scripts/start-deployFabric
+    To speed up the development cycle, it is recommended to set `SETUP_ONLY` to `true` as part of the run command above.
+
+## Building the image with a new release of a tool
+
+In this exapmle, let's say that [mc-image-helper](https://github.com/itzg/mc-image-helper) has been [released](https://github.com/itzg/mc-image-helper/releases) at 1.56.0, but the corresponding changes in the image [scripts](https://github.com/itzg/docker-minecraft-server/tree/23205471db9814cff9c6602361dbc6cdd6c4230a/scripts) need to be tested against that version while updating [the Dockerfile](https://github.com/itzg/docker-minecraft-server/blob/23205471db9814cff9c6602361dbc6cdd6c4230a/Dockerfile#L58).
+
+```yaml title="tests/manual/optional-projects/compose.yml" hl_lines="7"
+services:
+  mc:
+    build:
+      # ...or wherever you cloned the docker-minecraft-server repo
+      context: ../../..
+      args:
+        MC_HELPER_VERSION: 1.56.0
+    environment:
+      EULA: true
+      TYPE: "FABRIC"
+      MODRINTH_PROJECTS: |
+        fabric-api
+        pl3xmap?:beta
+    ports:
+      - "25565:25565/tcp"
+    volumes:
+      - ./data:/data
 ```
 
-...or pre-pending script execution:
-
-```shell
-VERSION=1.12.2 /image/scripts/start-deployFabric
-```
-
-!!! note
-
-    You may want to temporarily add an `exit` statement near the end of your script to isolate execution to just the script you're developing.
-
 ## Using development copy of tools
 
 In the cloned repo, such as [`mc-image-helper`](https://github.com/itzg/mc-image-helper), install the distribution locally by running:

docs/mods-and-plugins/index.md

@@ -81,7 +81,13 @@ These paths work well if you want to have a common set of modules in a separate
 
 You can download/copy additional configuration files or other resources before the server starts by using the `APPLY_EXTRA_FILES` environment variable. This is useful for downloading configs that you want to patch or modify during the startup process.
 
-The format uses a `<` separator between the destination path and the source URL/path. The destination path is relative to the `/data` directory. If specifying a source path, it needs to be path mounted within the container.
+The format uses a `<` separator between the destination path and the source URL/path. 
+
+The destination path is relative to the `/data` directory. 
+
+If specifying a source path, rather than URL, it needs to reference a path mounted into the container as a volume. 
+
+A source path can refer to a directory, in which case the files within that directory will be copied into the destination directory. At startup, it will take care of synchronizing the removal of files it copied when they are removed from the source. 
 
 !!! example
 
@@ -150,6 +156,54 @@ Disabling mods within docker compose files:
         mod2.jar
 ```
 
+### Loading container configuration from a pack
+
+A pack can ship its own container configuration so that the server type, version,
+and other variables travel with the pack rather than being declared by the user.
+At startup, before `TYPE` is dispatched, the container can load environment
+variables from a file on disk, a URL, an entry inside an archive, or from the
+`.env` of each `GENERIC_PACK(S)` entry.
+
+- `LOAD_ENV_FROM_GENERIC_PACK`: when `true`, each entry in `GENERIC_PACKS` (after
+  `GENERIC_PACKS_PREFIX`/`SUFFIX` expansion) is probed for a top-level `.env`
+  and each one found is sourced in the same order the packs are applied (later
+  packs override earlier ones, matching the layering of the unpack itself). Packs
+  without a `.env` are skipped without error. URLs are downloaded into
+  `/data/packs/` and reused by the regular generic-pack unpack step, so they are
+  not fetched twice.
+- `LOAD_ENV_FROM_FILE`: container path or URL of a shell-style env file (one
+  `KEY=VALUE` per line). Comments and blank lines are allowed.
+- `LOAD_ENV_FROM_ARCHIVE`: container path or URL of a zip/tar archive containing
+  an env file. The entry is sourced into the environment.
+- `LOAD_ENV_FROM_ARCHIVE_ENTRY`: relative path of the env file inside the archive.
+  Defaults to `.env`.
+
+These can be combined. Load order is: generic packs first, then
+`LOAD_ENV_FROM_FILE`, then `LOAD_ENV_FROM_ARCHIVE` — later loads override
+earlier ones, and all of them **override** values passed via `docker run -e` (or
+compose `environment:`), so the pack's declared values win.
+
+```shell
+docker run -d \
+  -e EULA=TRUE \
+  -e GENERIC_PACK=https://cdn.example.org/my-pack.zip \
+  -e LOAD_ENV_FROM_GENERIC_PACK=true \
+  itzg/minecraft-server
+```
+
+Where `my-pack.zip` contains a `.env` at its root such as:
+
+```env
+TYPE=FABRIC
+VERSION=1.21.1
+FABRIC_LOADER_VERSION=0.16.0
+```
+
+!!! warning
+    The env file is sourced by `bash`, so any shell syntax it contains will be
+    evaluated. Only point these variables at sources you trust. `EULA` cannot be
+    set this way — it is checked before the env file is loaded.
+
 ## Mods/plugins list
 
 You may also download or copy over individual mods/plugins using the `MODS` or `PLUGINS` environment variables. Both are a comma or newline delimited list of

docs/mods-and-plugins/modrinth.md

@@ -86,6 +86,54 @@ Where:
 
     To temporarily disable processing of the `MODRINTH_PROJECTS` list, then comment out the `MODRINTH_PROJECTS` environment variable.
 
+## Optional projects
+
+Projects that are not critical for the server to function can be marked as **optional** by appending a `?` to the project slug or ID. When a compatible version cannot be found for an optional project, the server logs a warning and continues startup instead of failing.
+
+This is particularly useful for server-side mods that tend to lag behind on Minecraft updates, such as map renderers (Pl3xmap, BlueMap), performance mods (Lithium, C2ME), or admin tools (Spark, LuckPerms).
+
+```yaml
+      MODRINTH_PROJECTS: |
+        fabric-api
+        lithium
+        pl3xmap?
+        bluemap?:beta
+```
+
+The `?` marker can be combined with all existing format options:
+
+| Format                     | Example                   |
+|----------------------------|---------------------------|
+| Slug only                  | `pl3xmap?`                |
+| With version               | `pl3xmap?:Oa9ZDzZq`      |
+| With release type          | `pl3xmap?:beta`           |
+| With loader prefix         | `fabric:pl3xmap?`         |
+| Full combination           | `fabric:pl3xmap?:beta`    |
+| In listing files           | `pl3xmap?` *(one per line)* |
+
+When combined with [`VERSION_FROM_MODRINTH_PROJECTS`](#version-from-projects), optional projects are **excluded** from the version calculation. This means an optional mod that hasn't been updated yet will never block a Minecraft version upgrade.
+
+!!! example "Automatic upgrades without optional-mod breakage"
+
+    ```yaml
+        MODRINTH_PROJECTS: |
+          fabric-api
+          lithium
+          pl3xmap?
+        VERSION_FROM_MODRINTH_PROJECTS: true
+    ```
+    
+    If a new Minecraft version is released and `fabric-api` + `lithium` support it but `pl3xmap` does not:
+    
+    1. The resolved `VERSION` is set to the new version (pl3xmap is not considered)
+    2. `fabric-api` and `lithium` are installed normally
+    3. `pl3xmap` is skipped with a warning in the logs
+    4. On a future restart, once pl3xmap publishes a compatible build, it is picked up automatically
+
+!!! note
+
+    Optional projects marked with `?` in listing files (`@/path/to/file.txt`) are supported ; the `?` is parsed from each line the same way as inline entries.
+
 ## Version from Projects
 
 When the environment variable `VERSION_FROM_MODRINTH_PROJECTS` is set to "true" the Minecraft [`VERSION`](../versions/minecraft.md) will be automatically determined by looking at the most recent version of Minecraft that is supported by all the projects provided in `MODRINTH_PROJECTS`.
@@ -115,4 +163,3 @@ When the environment variable `VERSION_FROM_MODRINTH_PROJECTS` is set to "true"
 
 `MODRINTH_LOADER`
 : When using a custom server, set this to specify which loader type will be requested during lookups
-

docs/requirements.txt

@@ -1,25 +1,25 @@
-click==8.3.1
+click==8.4.0
 colorama==0.4.6
 deepmerge==2.0
 ghp-import==2.1.0
-griffe==1.15.0
+griffe==2.0.2
 Jinja2==3.1.6
-Markdown==3.10.1
+Markdown==3.10.2
 MarkupSafe==3.0.3
 mergedeep==1.3.4
 mkdocs==1.6.1
-mkdocs-autorefs==1.4.3
-mkdocs-get-deps==0.2.0
-mkdocstrings==1.0.3
-mkdocstrings-python==2.0.1
-packaging==26.0
-pathspec==1.0.4
-platformdirs==4.5.1
-Pygments==2.19.2
-pymdown-extensions==10.20.1
+mkdocs-autorefs==1.4.4
+mkdocs-get-deps==0.2.2
+mkdocstrings==1.0.4
+mkdocstrings-python==2.0.3
+packaging==26.2
+pathspec==1.1.1
+platformdirs==4.9.6
+Pygments==2.20.0
+pymdown-extensions==10.21.3
 python-dateutil==2.9.0.post0
 PyYAML==6.0.3
 pyyaml_env_tag==1.1
 six==1.17.0
 watchdog==6.0.0
-# zensical @ file:///
+zensical==0.0.43

docs/variables.md

@@ -397,6 +397,12 @@ This image maps known server properties as described in [this section](configura
             <td><code>Randomly generated</code></td>
             <td>✅</td>
         </tr>
+        <tr>
+            <td><code>RCON_PASSWORD_FILE</code></td>
+            <td>Can be set to read the RCON password from a file. Overrides <code>RCON_PASSWORD</code> if both are set.</td>
+            <td><code></code></td>
+            <td>⬜️</td>
+        </tr>
         <tr>
             <td><code>RCON_PORT</code></td>
             <td>The port for RCON</td>

docs/versions/java.md

@@ -15,25 +15,19 @@ where `<tag>` refers to the first column of this table:
 | latest         | 25           | Ubuntu | Hotspot            | amd64, arm64        |      |
 | stable         | 25           | Ubuntu | Hotspot            | amd64, arm64        |      |
 | java25         | 25           | Ubuntu | Hotspot            | amd64, arm64        |      |
+| java25-alpine  | 25           | Alpine | Hotspot            | amd64, arm64        |      |
 | java25-jdk     | 25           | Ubuntu | Hotspot+JDK        | amd64, arm64        |      |
-| java25-graalvm | 25           | Oracle | Oracle GraalVM (3) | amd64, arm64        | (5)  |   
 | java21         | 21           | Ubuntu | Hotspot            | amd64, arm64        |      |
 | java21-jdk     | 21           | Ubuntu | Hotspot+JDK        | amd64, arm64        |      |
 | java21-alpine  | 21           | Alpine | Hotspot            | amd64, arm64        |      |
-| java21-graalvm | 21           | Oracle | Oracle GraalVM (3) | amd64, arm64        | (5)  |   
 | java17         | 17           | Ubuntu | Hotspot            | amd64, arm64, armv7 |      |
-| java17-graalvm | 17           | Oracle | Oracle GraalVM (3) | amd64, arm64        | (5)  |   
-| java16         | 16           | Ubuntu | Hotspot            | amd64, arm64, armv7 | (4)  |
+| java16         | 16           | Ubuntu | Hotspot            | amd64, arm64, armv7 | (1)  |
 | java11         | 11           | Ubuntu | Hotspot            | amd64, arm64, armv7 |      |
 | java8          | 8            | Ubuntu | Hotspot            | amd64, arm64, armv7 |      |
 
 Notes
 
-1. Why no arm64 for Java 17 Alpine? That is because the base images, such as [elipse-temurin](https://hub.docker.com/_/eclipse-temurin/tags?page=&page_size=&ordering=&name=17-jre-alpine) do not provide support for that. Use the Ubuntu-based images instead.
-2. Short-term variant, subject to deprecation upon next version introduction
-3. Based on the [Oracle GraalVM images](https://blogs.oracle.com/java/post/new-oracle-graalvm-container-images), which as of JDK 17, are now under the [GraalVM Free License](https://blogs.oracle.com/java/post/graalvm-free-license) incorporating what used to be known as the GraalVM Enterprise.
-4. This version of Java is [recommended for PaperMC 1.16.5](https://docs.papermc.io/paper/getting-started/#requirements)
-5. Due to these images using Oracle Linux, (which is based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux) Forge Installer will not work due to its use of zlib-ng. Use other images for initial installation and Forge version upgrade.
+1. This version of Java is [recommended for PaperMC 1.16.5](https://docs.papermc.io/paper/getting-started/#requirements)
 
 !!! example "Example using java8"
 
@@ -127,6 +121,7 @@ Forge also doesn't support openj9 JVM implementation.
 
 The following image tags have been deprecated and are no longer receiving updates:
 
+- java25-graalvm, java21-graalvm, java17-graalvm
 - adopt13
 - adopt14
 - adopt15

docs/versions/minecraft.md

@@ -2,7 +2,8 @@ To use a different Minecraft version, pass the `VERSION` environment variable (c
 
 - `LATEST` for latest release (the default)
 - `SNAPSHOT` for latest snapshot
-- a specific version, such as `1.7.9`, `25w35a`, `26.1`, or `26.1-snapshot-1`
+- a specific legacy version, such as `1.7.9`, `25w35a`, `1.15.2-pre2` or `1.21.11-rc1`
+- a specific [new version numbering system](https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/minecraft-new-version-numbering-system) version like `26.1`, `26.1-snapshot-1`, `26.1-pre-1`, or `26.1-rc-1`
 - or an alpha and beta version, such as "b1.7.3" (server download might not exist)
 
 For example, to use the latest snapshot:

examples/vanilla-tweaks/docker-compose.yml

@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ services:
       VANILLATWEAKS_FILE: /config/vanillatweaks-datapacks.json
       REMOVE_OLD_VANILLATWEAKS: "TRUE"
     volumes:
-      - data:/data
       - ./vanillatweaks-datapacks.json:/config/vanillatweaks-datapacks.json:ro
   vanillatweaks_sharecode:
     # port is set to 25566 to not conflict with vanillatweaks_file example
@@ -35,7 +34,6 @@ services:
       VANILLATWEAKS_FILE: /config/vanillatweaks-datapacks.json,/config/vanillatweaks-resourcepacks.json,/config/vanillatweaks-craftingtweaks.json
       REMOVE_OLD_VANILLATWEAKS: "TRUE"
     volumes:
-      - data:/data
       - ./vanillatweaks-datapacks.json:/config/vanillatweaks-datapacks.json:ro
       - ./vanillatweaks-resourcepacks.json:/config/vanillatweaks-resourcepacks.json:ro
-      - ./vanillatweaks-craftingtweaks.json:/config/vanillatweaks-craftingtweaks.json:ro
+      - ./vanillatweaks-craftingtweaks.json:/config/vanillatweaks-craftingtweaks.json:ro

files/cf-exclude-include.json

@@ -144,6 +144,7 @@
     "smart-hud",
     "smithing-template-viewer",
     "smooth-font",
+    "smooth-swapping",
     "smoothwater",
     "sodium",
     "sodium-extra",
@@ -211,6 +212,11 @@
     },
     "valhelsia-5": {
       "excludes": ["modernfix"]
+    },
+    "wolds-vaults": {
+      "forceIncludes": [
+        "just-enough-resources-jer"
+      ]
     }
   }
 }

files/modrinth-exclude-include.json

@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@
     "AmbientSounds",
     "amecs",
     "Animation_Overhaul",
-    "appleskin",
     "auudio",
     "axolotlbuckets",
     "BadOptimizations",
@@ -28,7 +27,6 @@
     "compass-coords",
     "colorwheel",
     "connectedness",
-    "connector",
     "continuity",
     "controlling",
     "craftpresence",
@@ -39,8 +37,6 @@
     "distraction_free_recipes",
     "drippyloadingscreen",
     "eating-animation",
-    "emi",
-    "emi_loot",
     "emi_trade",
     "emiffect",
     "emitrades",
@@ -94,6 +90,7 @@
     "seasonhud",
     "ShoulderSurfing",
     "skinlayers3d",
+    "smoothswapping",
     "sodium",
     "sorted_enchantments",
     "tooltipfix",

images.json

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
   {
     "tag": "latest",
     "notes": "Always tracks the most recent commit on the main branch",
-    "java": "21",
+    "java": "25",
     "distribution": "ubuntu",
     "jvm": "hotspot",
     "architectures": ["amd64", "arm64"],
@@ -24,12 +24,20 @@
     "jvm": "hotspot",
     "architectures": ["amd64", "arm64"]
   },
+  {
+    "tag": "java25-alpine",
+    "java": "25",
+    "distribution": "alpine",
+    "jvm": "hotspot",
+    "architectures": ["amd64", "arm64"]
+  },
   {
     "tag": "java25-graalvm",
     "java": "25",
     "distribution": "oracle",
     "jvm": "graalvm",
-    "architectures": ["amd64", "arm64"]
+    "architectures": ["amd64", "arm64"],
+    "deprecated": true
   },
   {
     "tag": "java24",
@@ -67,7 +75,8 @@
     "java": "21",
     "distribution": "oracle",
     "jvm": "graalvm",
-    "architectures": ["amd64", "arm64"]
+    "architectures": ["amd64", "arm64"],
+    "deprecated": true
   },
   {
     "tag": "java21-jdk",
@@ -141,4 +150,5 @@
   {"tag": "java8-jdk", "deprecated": true},
   {"tag": "java8-openj9", "deprecated": true},
   {"tag": "java8-graalvm-ce", "deprecated": true}
-]
+
+]

renovate.json5

@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+{
+  "$schema": "https://docs.renovatebot.com/renovate-schema.json",
+  "enabledManagers": [
+    "custom.regex"
+  ],
+  "customManagers": [
+    {
+      "customType": "regex",
+      "managerFilePatterns": ["/^Dockerfile$/"],
+      "matchStrings": [
+        "# renovate: datasource=(?<datasource>[a-z-]+?)(?: packageName=(?<packageName>.+?))?(?: versioning=(?<versioning>[a-z-]+))?\\s(?:ENV|ARG) .+?_VERSION=(?<currentValue>.+?)\\s"
+      ]
+    }
+  ],
+  "labels": ["dependencies"]
+}

scripts/start-configuration

@@ -54,8 +54,8 @@ fi
 
 if isTrue "${DEBUG_MEMORY:-false}"; then
   log "Memory usage and availability (in MB)"
-  uname -pars
-  free -m
+  uname -pars | applyLogPrefix
+  free -m | applyLogPrefix
 fi
 
 ##########################################
@@ -152,11 +152,40 @@ fi
 
 cd /data || exit 1
 
+##########################################
+# Optionally load environment variables from a file or archive entry,
+# allowing packs/artifacts to declare TYPE, VERSION and other settings
+# inside-out. Loaded values override anything passed in through docker -e.
+# Generic packs are processed first so that LOAD_ENV_FROM_FILE and
+# LOAD_ENV_FROM_ARCHIVE can override any values they set.
+
+if isTrue "${LOAD_ENV_FROM_GENERIC_PACK:-false}"; then
+  if ! loadEnvFromGenericPack; then
+    exit 1
+  fi
+fi
+
+if [[ ${LOAD_ENV_FROM_FILE:-} ]]; then
+  if ! loadEnvFromFile "${LOAD_ENV_FROM_FILE}"; then
+    exit 1
+  fi
+fi
+
+if [[ ${LOAD_ENV_FROM_ARCHIVE:-} ]]; then
+  if ! loadEnvFromArchive "${LOAD_ENV_FROM_ARCHIVE}" "${LOAD_ENV_FROM_ARCHIVE_ENTRY:-.env}"; then
+    exit 1
+  fi
+fi
+
 export DECLARED_TYPE=${TYPE^^}
 export DECLARED_VERSION="$VERSION"
 
 if isTrue "${VERSION_FROM_MODRINTH_PROJECTS:-}" && [[ ${MODRINTH_PROJECTS:-} ]]; then
-  if ! VERSION=$(mc-image-helper version-from-modrinth-projects --projects "${MODRINTH_PROJECTS}"); then
+  args=()
+  if [[ ${MODRINTH_PROJECTS_DEFAULT_VERSION_TYPE:-} ]]; then
+    args+=(--allowed-version-type "${MODRINTH_PROJECTS_DEFAULT_VERSION_TYPE:-}")
+  fi
+  if ! VERSION=$(mc-image-helper version-from-modrinth-projects "${args[@]}" --projects "${MODRINTH_PROJECTS}"); then
     logError "failed to resolve version from MODRINTH_PROJECTS: ${MODRINTH_PROJECTS}"
     exit 1
   fi

scripts/start-deployGTNH

@@ -8,10 +8,14 @@ function getGTNHdownloadPath(){
   gtnh_download_path=""
   current_java_version=$(mc-image-helper java-release)
     
-  if ! mapfile -t packs < <(curl -sfL 'http://downloads.gtnewhorizons.com/ServerPacks/?raw'); then
-    logError "Failed to retrieve data from http://downloads.gtnewhorizons.com/ServerPacks/?raw"
+  if ! packs_data="$(
+    curl -fsSL "https://downloads.gtnewhorizons.com/versions.json" \
+      | jq -r '.versions[]?.server? | .[]? | select(type=="string" and test("Server"))'
+  )"; then
+    logError "Failed to retrieve data from https://downloads.gtnewhorizons.com/versions.json"
     exit 1
   fi
+  mapfile -t packs <<< "$packs_data"
 
   log "Start locating server files..."
   for pack in "${packs[@]}"; do

scripts/start-deployPaper

@@ -11,17 +11,26 @@ handleDebugMode
 : "${PAPER_DOWNLOAD_URL:=}"
 : "${PAPER_CUSTOM_JAR:=}"
 : "${PAPER_CONFIG_DEFAULTS_REPO:=${PAPER_CONFIG_REPO:=https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Shonz1/minecraft-default-configs/main}}"
+: "${CLEAN_SERVER_LIBRARIES:=true}"
 
 resultsFile=/data/.paper.env
 if [[ $PAPER_CUSTOM_JAR ]]; then
   export SERVER="$PAPER_CUSTOM_JAR"
 elif [[ $PAPER_DOWNLOAD_URL ]]; then
-  if ! mc-image-helper install-paper \
-    --output-directory=/data \
-    --results-file="$resultsFile" \
-    --url="$PAPER_DOWNLOAD_URL"; then
-      logError "Failed to download from custom PaperMC URL"
-      exit 1
+
+  args=(
+    --output-directory=/data
+    --results-file="$resultsFile"
+    --url="$PAPER_DOWNLOAD_URL"
+  )
+
+  if [[ $CLEAN_SERVER_LIBRARIES ]]; then
+    args+=(--clean-libraries)
+  fi
+
+  if ! mc-image-helper install-paper "${args[@]}"; then
+    logError "Failed to download from custom PaperMC URL"
+    exit 1
   fi
   applyResultsFile ${resultsFile}
 else
@@ -35,6 +44,11 @@ else
   if [[ $PAPER_BUILD ]]; then
     args+=(--build="$PAPER_BUILD")
   fi
+
+  if [[ $CLEAN_SERVER_LIBRARIES ]]; then
+    args+=(--clean-libraries)
+  fi
+
   if ! mc-image-helper install-paper "${args[@]}"; then
       logError "Failed to download $PAPER_PROJECT"
       exit 1

scripts/start-utils

@@ -26,6 +26,117 @@ function applyResultsFile() {
   set +a
 }
 
+function loadEnvFromFile() {
+  local source=${1?Missing required source argument}
+  local downloaded=
+
+  if isURL "$source"; then
+    mkdir -p /data/.tmp
+    downloaded=$(mktemp -p /data/.tmp)
+    log "Downloading env file from $source"
+    if ! get -o "$downloaded" "$source"; then
+      logError "Failed to download env file from $source"
+      rm -f "$downloaded"
+      return 1
+    fi
+    log "Loading env vars from $source"
+    applyResultsFile "$downloaded"
+    rm -f "$downloaded"
+  elif [ -f "$source" ]; then
+    log "Loading env vars from $source"
+    applyResultsFile "$source"
+  else
+    logError "Env file not found: $source"
+    return 1
+  fi
+}
+
+function loadEnvFromArchive() {
+  local source=${1?Missing required source argument}
+  local entry=${2:-.env}
+  local archive=
+  local downloaded=
+  local tmpdir
+  local rc=0
+
+  mkdir -p /data/.tmp
+
+  if isURL "$source"; then
+    downloaded=$(mktemp -p /data/.tmp)
+    log "Downloading archive from $source"
+    if ! get -o "$downloaded" "$source"; then
+      logError "Failed to download archive from $source"
+      rm -f "$downloaded"
+      return 1
+    fi
+    archive=$downloaded
+  elif [ -f "$source" ]; then
+    archive=$source
+  else
+    logError "Archive not found: $source"
+    return 1
+  fi
+
+  tmpdir=$(mktemp -d -p /data/.tmp)
+  if extract "$archive" "$tmpdir" "$entry" && [ -f "$tmpdir/$entry" ]; then
+    log "Loading env vars from '$entry' in $source"
+    applyResultsFile "$tmpdir/$entry"
+  else
+    logError "Failed to load env entry '$entry' from $source"
+    rc=1
+  fi
+
+  rm -rf "$tmpdir"
+  [[ -n "$downloaded" ]] && rm -f "$downloaded"
+  return $rc
+}
+
+function loadEnvFromGenericPack() {
+  : "${GENERIC_PACKS:=${GENERIC_PACK:-}}"
+  : "${GENERIC_PACKS_PREFIX:=}"
+  : "${GENERIC_PACKS_SUFFIX:=}"
+
+  if [[ -z "${GENERIC_PACKS}" ]]; then
+    logWarning "LOAD_ENV_FROM_GENERIC_PACK is set but GENERIC_PACK(S) is empty"
+    return 0
+  fi
+
+  mkdir -p /data/.tmp
+  IFS=',' read -ra packs <<< "${GENERIC_PACKS}"
+  local loaded=0
+  local pack packEntry packFile tmpdir
+  for packEntry in "${packs[@]}"; do
+    pack="${GENERIC_PACKS_PREFIX}${packEntry}${GENERIC_PACKS_SUFFIX}"
+    if isURL "$pack"; then
+      mkdir -p /data/packs
+      if ! packFile=$(get -o /data/packs --output-filename --skip-up-to-date "$pack"); then
+        logError "Failed to download generic pack $pack"
+        return 1
+      fi
+    else
+      packFile=$pack
+    fi
+
+    if [[ ! -f "$packFile" ]]; then
+      logError "Generic pack not found: $packFile"
+      return 1
+    fi
+
+    tmpdir=$(mktemp -d -p /data/.tmp)
+    # Packs without a .env are valid — silently skip; the unpack step still applies them.
+    if extract "$packFile" "$tmpdir" .env 2>/dev/null && [ -f "$tmpdir/.env" ]; then
+      log "Loading env vars from .env in $pack"
+      applyResultsFile "$tmpdir/.env"
+      loaded=$((loaded + 1))
+    fi
+    rm -rf "$tmpdir"
+  done
+
+  if (( loaded == 0 )); then
+    logWarning "LOAD_ENV_FROM_GENERIC_PACK is set but no pack in GENERIC_PACK(S) contained a .env"
+  fi
+}
+
 function join_by() {
   local d=$1
   shift
@@ -125,6 +236,12 @@ function logn() {
   echo -n "[init] $*"
 }
 
+# Use as
+# cmd | applyLogPrefix
+function applyLogPrefix() {
+  sed 's/^/[init] /'
+}
+
 function log() {
   local oldState
   # The  return  status  when listing options is zero if all optnames are enabled, non- zero otherwise.
@@ -439,17 +556,19 @@ function isType() {
 function extract() {
   src=${1?}
   destDir=${2?}
+  shift 2
+  # remaining args are paths within the archive to extract; if none, extract everything
 
   type=$(file -b --mime-type "${src}")
   case "${type}" in
   application/zip)
-    unzip -o -q -d "${destDir}" "${src}"
+    unzip -o -q -d "${destDir}" "${src}" "$@"
     ;;
   application/x-tar | application/gzip | application/x-gzip | application/x-bzip2)
-    tar -C "${destDir}" -xf "${src}"
+    tar -C "${destDir}" -xf "${src}" "$@"
     ;;
   application/zstd | application/x-zstd)
-    tar -C "${destDir}" --use-compress-program=unzstd -xf "${src}"
+    tar -C "${destDir}" --use-compress-program=unzstd -xf "${src}" "$@"
     ;;
   *)
     logError "Unsupported archive type: $type"

tests/manual/optional-projects/compose.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+services:
+  mc:
+    build:
+      # ...or wherever you cloned the docker-minecraft-server repo
+      context: ../../..
+      args:
+        MC_HELPER_VERSION: 1.56.0
+    environment:
+      EULA: true
+      TYPE: "FABRIC"
+      MODRINTH_PROJECTS: |
+        fabric-api
+        pl3xmap?:beta
+    ports:
+      - "25565:25565/tcp"
+    volumes:
+      - ./data:/data

tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-archive/docker-compose.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+services:
+  mc:
+    image: ${IMAGE_TO_TEST:-itzg/minecraft-server}
+    environment:
+      EULA: "true"
+      SETUP_ONLY: "true"
+      LOAD_ENV_FROM_ARCHIVE: /test/load-env.zip
+      MOTD: from-compose
+      LOG_TIMESTAMP: "true"
+      DEBUG: "true"
+      # the following are only used to speed up test execution
+      TYPE: CUSTOM
+      CUSTOM_SERVER: /servers/fake.jar
+      VERSION: 1.18.1
+    volumes:
+      - ./data:/data
+      - ./load-env.zip:/test/load-env.zip
+      - ./fake.jar:/servers/fake.jar

tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-archive/verify.sh

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+mc-image-helper assert propertyEquals --file=server.properties --property=motd --expect=from-archive

tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-file/docker-compose.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+services:
+  mc:
+    image: ${IMAGE_TO_TEST:-itzg/minecraft-server}
+    environment:
+      EULA: "true"
+      SETUP_ONLY: "true"
+      LOAD_ENV_FROM_FILE: /test/load-env.env
+      MOTD: from-compose
+      LOG_TIMESTAMP: "true"
+      DEBUG: "true"
+      # the following are only used to speed up test execution
+      TYPE: CUSTOM
+      CUSTOM_SERVER: /servers/fake.jar
+      VERSION: 1.18.1
+    volumes:
+      - ./data:/data
+      - ./load-env.env:/test/load-env.env
+      - ./fake.jar:/servers/fake.jar

tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-file/load-env.env

@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+# Loaded by LOAD_ENV_FROM_FILE during start-configuration
+MOTD=from-env-file

tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-file/verify.sh

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+mc-image-helper assert propertyEquals --file=server.properties --property=motd --expect=from-env-file

tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-generic-pack/docker-compose.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+services:
+  mc:
+    image: ${IMAGE_TO_TEST:-itzg/minecraft-server}
+    environment:
+      EULA: "true"
+      SETUP_ONLY: "true"
+      GENERIC_PACK: /packs/pack.zip
+      LOAD_ENV_FROM_GENERIC_PACK: "true"
+      MOTD: from-compose
+      LOG_TIMESTAMP: "true"
+      DEBUG: "true"
+      # the following are only used to speed up test execution
+      TYPE: CUSTOM
+      CUSTOM_SERVER: /servers/fake.jar
+      VERSION: 1.18.1
+    volumes:
+      - ./data:/data
+      - ./pack.zip:/packs/pack.zip
+      - ./fake.jar:/servers/fake.jar

tests/setuponlytests/load-env-from-generic-pack/verify.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+mc-image-helper assert propertyEquals --file=server.properties --property=motd --expect=from-generic-pack
+mc-image-helper assert fileExists config/dummy.yml