How to Add Datapacks to Your Minecraft Server

Add custom features and mechanics to your Minecraft server using datapacks.

Data packs allow you to customize your Minecraft world without installing heavy server plugins or mods. Whether you want to add custom crafting recipes, tweak gameplay rules, or load advanced map features, this guide will show you how to upload and apply data packs to your MCServerHost server.

Download Your Data Pack

Find and download a compatible data pack from trusted communities like Modrinth.
Ensure the downloaded file is a .zip archive (or an unzipped folder containing a data folder and a pack.mcmeta file). Do not unzip it unless the creator specifically instructs you to.

Upload Your Data Pack

Data packs are installed per world, meaning every individual world (like your main Overworld) has its own data pack folder.

Log into your MCServerHost dashboard and navigate to your Minecraft server.
Open the File Manager tab on the left-hand navigation bar.
Locate your active world folder. By default, this is usually named world (or whatever name you assigned under level-name in your server.properties). Click on it to open it.
Inside the world folder, look for a folder named datapacks. Open it. (If the datapacks folder does not exist inside your world folder, you can create a new folder and name it datapacks).
Once you are on your Datapacks folder, upload your datapacks by either clicking on Upload top right or dragging the file.

Verify

To confirm that your data pack has successfully loaded and is active in your world:

Run the following command in your server console or in-game chat:

datapack list

The server will output a list of enabled data packs, including your newly installed one.

You've reached the end of this tutorial! By now, your custom data pack should be fully active and ready to use in your world. What are you waiting for? Go play some Minecraft on MCServerHost! (:

Similarly, if you are having any type of issue or problem with your server at MCServerHost you can always get in touch with us by joining our Discord server or writing us at support@MCServerHost.com.

Related guides

How to Create Multiple Worlds with Multiverse-Core — Create and manage multiple worlds on your Minecraft server with Multiverse-Core.
How to Protect Your Server with CoreProtect — Installing and configuring CoreProtect to log changes and roll back griefing or theft.
How to Change Your Server Seed — Changing your Minecraft server's generation seed to create a new world.
How to Add a Custom Resource Pack to Your Minecraft Server — How to Add a Custom Resource Pack to Your Minecraft Server at MCServerHost

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