Hybrid Servers - Docker Minecraft Server

Hybrid servers combine modding platforms (Forge/Fabric) with plugin platforms (Bukkit/Spigot/Paper), allowing you to run both mods and plugins on the same server. This provides maximum flexibility but comes with complexity and compatibility considerations.

Overview

Hybrid servers enable:

Mods + Plugins: Run gameplay mods alongside server plugins
Maximum Customization: Access both mod and plugin ecosystems
Unique Experiences: Combine features impossible with either platform alone

Hybrid servers are complex and may have compatibility issues. Not all mods and plugins work well together. Use hybrid servers only when you specifically need both mods AND plugins.

Available Hybrid Types

Magma (Legacy)

Status: Terminated project - Use alternatives below Combination of Forge and PaperMC.

environment:
  TYPE: MAGMA
  VERSION: "1.12.2"  # Limited versions: 1.12.2, 1.16.5

The Magma project has been terminated. Use Magma Maintained or Ketting instead.

Magma Maintained

Community-maintained alternative to Magma.

environment:
  TYPE: MAGMA_MAINTAINED
  VERSION: "1.20.1"  # Supported: 1.12.2, 1.18.2, 1.19.3, 1.20.1
  FORGE_VERSION: "40.2.0"
  MAGMA_MAINTAINED_TAG: "v1.20.1-40.2.0-1.0.0"

Both FORGE_VERSION and MAGMA_MAINTAINED_TAG must be specified. Find supported versions in the releases page for your Minecraft version.

Ketting

Modern Forge + Paper hybrid for Minecraft 1.20.1+.

environment:
  TYPE: KETTING
  VERSION: "1.20.1"  # 1.20.1 or later
  FORGE_VERSION: "47.2.20"  # Optional - auto-selected by launcher
  KETTING_VERSION: "0.1.4"  # Optional - auto-selected by launcher

Find available versions at Ketting Server Releases. Version structure: MinecraftVersion-ForgeVersion-KettingVersion

Example: 1.20.1-47.2.20-0.1.4
- Minecraft: 1.20.1
- Forge: 47.2.20
- Ketting: 0.1.4

Mohist

Forge + Paper hybrid server.

environment:
  TYPE: MOHIST
  VERSION: "1.16.5"  # Limited versions available
  MOHIST_BUILD: "374"  # Optional specific build

Limited Minecraft versions are supported. Check Mohist releases for available versions.

Youer

Another Forge + Paper hybrid from MohistMC.

environment:
  TYPE: YOUER
  VERSION: "1.16.5"
  MOHIST_BUILD: "374"  # Optional specific build

Forge + Paper hybrid server.

environment:
  TYPE: BANNER
  VERSION: "1.16.5"
  MOHIST_BUILD: "374"  # Optional specific build

Arclight

Forge/Fabric/NeoForge + Bukkit hybrid.

environment:
  TYPE: ARCLIGHT
  VERSION: "1.20.1"
  ARCLIGHT_TYPE: FORGE  # Options: FORGE, FABRIC, NEOFORGE

Supports multiple mod loaders:

FORGE - Forge + Bukkit
FABRIC - Fabric + Bukkit
NEOFORGE - NeoForge + Bukkit

Configuration Examples

Ketting with Forge Mods and Spigot Plugins

services:
  minecraft:
    image: itzg/minecraft-server
    container_name: minecraft-ketting
    
    environment:
      EULA: "TRUE"
      TYPE: KETTING
      VERSION: "1.20.1"
      
      # Server Settings
      MOTD: "Hybrid Server - Mods + Plugins"
      DIFFICULTY: normal
      MAX_PLAYERS: 30
      
      # Performance
      MEMORY: 8G
      USE_AIKAR_FLAGS: "true"
      
      # Auto-install plugins
      SPIGET_RESOURCES: "1234,5678"
    
    ports:
      - "25565:25565"
    
    volumes:
      - ./data:/data
      - ./mods:/data/mods      # Forge mods
      - ./plugins:/data/plugins  # Bukkit/Spigot plugins
    
    restart: unless-stopped

Arclight with Fabric and Plugins

docker-compose.yml

services:
  minecraft:
    image: itzg/minecraft-server
    container_name: minecraft-arclight
    
    environment:
      EULA: "TRUE"
      TYPE: ARCLIGHT
      VERSION: "1.20.1"
      ARCLIGHT_TYPE: FABRIC  # Fabric + Bukkit
      
      # Install Fabric API for mods
      MODRINTH_PROJECTS: |
        fabric-api
        lithium
      
      # Install plugins
      SPIGET_RESOURCES: "1234,5678"
      
      MEMORY: 8G
    
    ports:
      - "25565:25565"
    
    volumes:
      - ./data:/data
      - ./mods:/data/mods
      - ./plugins:/data/plugins

Magma Maintained

docker-compose.yml

services:
  minecraft:
    image: itzg/minecraft-server
    
    environment:
      EULA: "TRUE"
      TYPE: MAGMA_MAINTAINED
      VERSION: "1.20.1"
      FORGE_VERSION: "40.2.0"
      MAGMA_MAINTAINED_TAG: "v1.20.1-40.2.0-1.0.0"
      
      MEMORY: 8G
    
    volumes:
      - ./data:/data
      - ./mods:/data/mods
      - ./plugins:/data/plugins

Directory Structure

Hybrid servers use both mod and plugin directories:

data/
├── mods/           # Forge/Fabric mods (.jar files)
│   ├── mod1.jar
│   └── mod2.jar
├── plugins/        # Bukkit/Spigot plugins (.jar files)
│   ├── plugin1.jar
│   └── plugin2.jar
├── config/         # Mod configurations
└── plugins/*/      # Plugin configurations

Managing Mods and Plugins

Installing Forge/Fabric Mods

volumes:
  - ./mods:/data/mods

Place mod .jar files in ./mods/ directory.

Installing Bukkit/Spigot Plugins

volumes:
  - ./plugins:/data/plugins

Place plugin .jar files in ./plugins/ directory.

Auto-Installation

Combine auto-download methods:

environment:
  TYPE: KETTING
  
  # Auto-download mods from Modrinth
  MODRINTH_PROJECTS: |
    jei
    journeymap
  
  # Auto-download plugins from Spiget
  SPIGET_RESOURCES: "1234,5678"
  
  # Or from CurseForge
  CF_API_KEY: "your-key"
  CF_SLUG: "forge-mod-name"

Compatibility Considerations

Mod-Plugin Conflicts

Not all mods and plugins work together:

Permission Systems: Mod permissions may conflict with plugin permission systems
Economy Systems: Don’t mix mod and plugin economy systems
World Management: Use either mod or plugin world managers, not both
Chat Systems: Chat mods and plugins often conflict

Testing Compatibility

Start with basics

Begin with only essential mods and plugins.

Add gradually

Add mods and plugins one at a time, testing between each addition.

Monitor logs

Watch server logs for errors and conflicts:

docker logs -f minecraft-hybrid

Test functionality

Verify both mods and plugins work as expected.

Known Compatible Combinations

Generally Compatible:

Content/gameplay mods + utility plugins
Tech mods + protection plugins
Performance mods + administration plugins

Often Incompatible:

Mod permissions + plugin permissions
Mod economies + plugin economies
Client-side rendering mods + server plugins

Performance Impact

Resource Requirements

Hybrid servers require more resources:

Players	Mods + Plugins	Recommended RAM
1-10	Light	6-8GB
10-20	Medium	8-10GB
20-50	Medium	10-14GB
50+	Heavy	16GB+

Optimization

environment:
  MEMORY: 10G
  USE_AIKAR_FLAGS: "true"
  
  # Install performance mods
  MODRINTH_PROJECTS: |
    ferritecore
    modernfix

Complete Production Example

docker-compose.yml

services:
  minecraft:
    image: itzg/minecraft-server
    container_name: minecraft-hybrid
    
    environment:
      # Hybrid Server Type
      EULA: "TRUE"
      TYPE: KETTING
      VERSION: "1.20.1"
      
      # Auto-install mods from Modrinth
      MODRINTH_PROJECTS: |
        jei
        journeymap
        ferritecore
      
      # Auto-install plugins
      SPIGET_RESOURCES: |
        274
        1997
      
      # Server Settings
      MOTD: "Hybrid: Forge Mods + Spigot Plugins"
      DIFFICULTY: normal
      MODE: survival
      MAX_PLAYERS: 30
      VIEW_DISTANCE: 10
      
      # Performance
      MEMORY: 10G
      USE_AIKAR_FLAGS: "true"
      
      # World
      LEVEL: "world"
      
      # Admin
      ENABLE_RCON: "true"
      RCON_PASSWORD: "secure-password"
    
    ports:
      - "25565:25565"
      - "25575:25575"  # RCON
    
    volumes:
      - ./data:/data
      - ./mods:/data/mods
      - ./plugins:/data/plugins
      - ./config:/data/config
    
    restart: unless-stopped
    
    stdin_open: true
    tty: true

Troubleshooting

Server Won’t Start

Check logs for mod/plugin conflicts:
```
docker logs minecraft-hybrid
```
Remove recently added mods/plugins
Verify version compatibility

Mods Not Loading

Ensure mods are in /data/mods/ directory
Verify mods are compatible with Forge/Fabric version
Check for required dependencies

Plugins Not Loading

Ensure plugins are in /data/plugins/ directory
Verify plugins are compatible with Bukkit/Spigot API
Check plugin dependencies

Performance Issues

Increase allocated memory
Remove unnecessary mods/plugins
Install performance optimization mods
Reduce view distance and simulation distance

When to Use Hybrid Servers

Use Hybrid When:

You need specific mods AND specific plugins
Creating unique gameplay requiring both ecosystems
Running a network with complex requirements

Use Single Platform When:

Only need mods → Use Forge or Fabric
Only need plugins → Use Paper
Want maximum stability → Avoid mixing platforms
Performance is critical → Single platforms perform better

Version Support Matrix

Hybrid Type	MC 1.12.2	MC 1.16.5	MC 1.18.2	MC 1.19.3	MC 1.20.1+
Magma Maintained	✅	❌	✅	✅	✅
Ketting	❌	❌	❌	❌	✅
Mohist	✅	✅	❌	❌	❌
Arclight	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅

Next Steps

Forge Mods

Learn about Forge mod installation

Fabric Mods

Learn about Fabric mod installation

Paper Plugins

Learn about plugin installation

Performance Tuning

Optimize hybrid server performance

Get Started

Server Types

Mod Platforms

Configuration

Mods & Plugins

Versions

Operations

Deployment

Advanced

​Overview

​Available Hybrid Types

​Magma (Legacy)

​Magma Maintained

​Ketting

​Mohist

​Youer

​Banner

​Arclight

​Configuration Examples

​Ketting with Forge Mods and Spigot Plugins

​Arclight with Fabric and Plugins

​Magma Maintained

​Directory Structure

​Managing Mods and Plugins

​Installing Forge/Fabric Mods

​Installing Bukkit/Spigot Plugins

​Auto-Installation

​Compatibility Considerations

​Mod-Plugin Conflicts

​Testing Compatibility

​Known Compatible Combinations

​Performance Impact

​Resource Requirements

​Optimization

​Complete Production Example

​Troubleshooting

​Server Won’t Start

​Mods Not Loading

​Plugins Not Loading

​Performance Issues

​When to Use Hybrid Servers

​Version Support Matrix

​Next Steps

Forge Mods

Fabric Mods

Paper Plugins

Performance Tuning

Build docs developers (and LLMs) love

Overview

Available Hybrid Types

Magma (Legacy)

Magma Maintained

Ketting

Mohist

Youer

Banner

Arclight

Configuration Examples

Ketting with Forge Mods and Spigot Plugins

Arclight with Fabric and Plugins

Magma Maintained

Directory Structure

Managing Mods and Plugins

Installing Forge/Fabric Mods

Installing Bukkit/Spigot Plugins

Auto-Installation

Compatibility Considerations

Mod-Plugin Conflicts

Testing Compatibility

Known Compatible Combinations

Performance Impact

Resource Requirements

Optimization

Complete Production Example

Troubleshooting

Server Won’t Start

Mods Not Loading

Plugins Not Loading

Performance Issues

When to Use Hybrid Servers

Version Support Matrix

Next Steps