How to Host a SkyFactory 5 Server

What Is SkyFactory 5?

SkyFactory 5 is the latest entry in the beloved SkyFactory series. Built on Forge, it drops players onto a tiny platform above a void world and challenges them to build an entire civilization from almost nothing. The pack revolves around tree-based resource generation, sieving, mob farming, and progressive automation through tech mods. Compared to earlier versions, SkyFactory 5 adds new progression paths and integrates mods like Thermal Series, Iron Furnaces, and Productive Bees.

Void worlds make SkyFactory 5 lighter on chunk generation than overworld packs, but the density of machines, spawners, and mob farms on each island creates concentrated tick loads. Learning how to host a SkyFactory 5 server means understanding that trade-off.

Server Requirements

Forge and Java Version

SkyFactory 5 targets Minecraft 1.19.2 on Forge, requiring Java 17. Download the server pack from CurseForge, which includes the correct Forge build. Never swap in a different Forge version unless the pack officially updates.

RAM Allocation

Player Count	Minimum RAM	Recommended RAM
1–5 players	4 GB	6 GB
6–12 players	6 GB	8 GB
12–20 players	8 GB	10 GB

Skyblock packs use less RAM than overworld packs because the void world stores minimal chunk data. The memory pressure comes from player-built structures, entity farms, and automation networks. Use the RAM calculator for a personalized recommendation if you plan to host a SkyFactory 5 server with many concurrent players.

Downloading and Installing

Grab the SkyFactory 5 server pack from CurseForge. Extract and run:

chmod +x startserver.sh
./startserver.sh

Edit eula.txt after the first run, then restart. First boot takes 2 to 4 minutes. The void world generates instantly, so you skip the long terrain-generation phase that slows down overworld packs.

Config Tweaks

Island Spacing

If you run a public server, configure island spacing to prevent players from bridging to each other unintentionally. Most SkyFactory 5 setups use a separation of 1,000 to 2,000 blocks between islands. Check the skyblock island management mod's config for the islandDistance setting.

Mob Farm Limits

Mob farms are central to SkyFactory progression, but uncapped spawners create entity explosions that tank TPS. In server.properties, lower the monster spawn limit to 40 (from the default 70). Additionally, look for per-mod spawn configs that let you cap entities from modded spawners.

Common Issues

Entity Count Spikes

SkyFactory players build aggressive mob farms early. When five players each run farms producing 200 entities, the server handles 1,000+ mobs simultaneously. Watch entity counts with /forge entity list and set up auto-kill scripts or mob caps to prevent runaway growth.

Hopper and Item Transport Lag

Vanilla hoppers tick heavily. SkyFactory 5 includes modded item transport (pipes, ducts) that is more efficient. Encourage players to upgrade from hoppers to Thermal ducts or modded alternatives as soon as possible, since a single row of 20 hoppers can cost more TPS than a full Thermal pipeline.

Performance Tuning

Set view-distance=6 and simulation-distance=4. In a void world, long view distances show nothing but empty space, so reducing them has zero visual impact while saving significant tick time.

JVM flags for Java 17:

java -Xms4G -Xmx6G -XX:+UseG1GC -XX:MaxGCPauseMillis=130
-XX:+UnlockExperimentalVMOptions -XX:G1NewSizePercent=40
-XX:G1MaxNewSizePercent=50 -XX:G1HeapRegionSize=16M
-XX:G1ReservePercent=15 -XX:InitiatingHeapOccupancyPercent=20
-XX:+AlwaysPreTouch -jar forge-server.jar nogui

Our JVM flags guide explains each parameter. For similar void-world packs, see our Stoneblock 3 guide. For overworld alternatives, the Better MC guide covers a lighter option.

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