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Beyond the mainstream server types, the Docker Minecraft Server supports several specialized and custom server implementations for specific use cases.

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SpongeVanilla

SpongeVanilla is a community-driven platform that implements the Sponge API on vanilla Minecraft servers without requiring Forge.

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Configuration

environment:
  TYPE: SPONGEVANILLA
  VERSION: "1.12.2"

services:
  minecraft:
    image: itzg/minecraft-server:java8-multiarch
    environment:
      EULA: "TRUE"
      TYPE: SPONGEVANILLA
      VERSION: "1.12.2"
    ports:
      - "25565:25565"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/data

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Version Selection

By default, SpongeVanilla runs the latest STABLE version: 
environment:
  TYPE: SPONGEVANILLA
  # Uses latest STABLE by default
Specific Version: 
environment:
  TYPE: SPONGEVANILLA
  SPONGEVERSION: "1.11.2-6.1.0-BETA-19"
Experimental Branch: 
environment:
  TYPE: SPONGEVANILLA
  SPONGEBRANCH: EXPERIMENTAL
Current Sponge STABLE versions for Minecraft 1.12 require Java 8 tag:
image: itzg/minecraft-server:java8-multiarch

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Limbo

Limbo is a lightweight, minimal server for maintaining player connections. Perfect for lobby servers or connection holding.

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Configuration

environment:
  TYPE: LIMBO
  LIMBO_BUILD: LATEST
  LIMBO_SCHEMA_FILENAME: default.schem

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Environment Variables

VariableDefaultDescription
TYPE-Set to LIMBO
LIMBO_BUILDLATESTBuild number from CI
FORCE_REDOWNLOADfalseForce re-download server JAR
LIMBO_SCHEMA_FILENAMEdefault.schemSchematic file for world
LEVELDefault;${LIMBO_SCHEMA_NAME}Level configuration
The VERSION variable is ignored for Limbo. Find the appropriate build number from the CI page to match your client version.

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MOTD Configuration

Limbo requires JSON chat format instead of format codes: 
environment:
  TYPE: LIMBO
  MOTD: '{"text":"Welcome to Limbo","color":"gold"}'
If you provide a plain string, it will be automatically converted to JSON format.

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Complete Example

docker-compose.yml
services:
  limbo:
    image: itzg/minecraft-server
    container_name: minecraft-limbo
    
    environment:
      EULA: "TRUE"
      TYPE: LIMBO
      LIMBO_BUILD: LATEST
      
      # Limbo-specific settings
      LIMBO_SCHEMA_FILENAME: lobby.schem
      
      MOTD: '{"text":"Lobby Server","color":"aqua"}'
      MAX_PLAYERS: 100
    
    ports:
      - "25565:25565"
    
    volumes:
      - ./limbo-data:/data

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NanoLimbo

An alternative lightweight Limbo server implementation. 
environment:
  TYPE: NANOLIMBO
NanoLimbo is a fork of the original Limbo by Nan1t, now maintained by BoomEaro. Configuration is similar to standard Limbo.

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Crucible

Crucible is a legacy server for Minecraft 1.7.10 combining Forge and Bukkit.

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Configuration

environment:
  TYPE: CRUCIBLE
  VERSION: "1.7.10"
  CRUCIBLE_RELEASE: latest
Crucible is only available for Minecraft 1.7.10. Ensure you set VERSION: "1.7.10".

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Environment Variables

VariableDefaultDescription
TYPE-Set to CRUCIBLE
VERSION-Must be 1.7.10
CRUCIBLE_RELEASElatestSpecific Crucible release version

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Complete Example

docker-compose.yml
services:
  minecraft:
    image: itzg/minecraft-server:java8-multiarch
    container_name: minecraft-crucible
    
    environment:
      EULA: "TRUE"
      TYPE: CRUCIBLE
      VERSION: "1.7.10"
      CRUCIBLE_RELEASE: latest
      
      MEMORY: 4G
    
    ports:
      - "25565:25565"
    
    volumes:
      - ./data:/data
      - ./mods:/data/mods
      - ./plugins:/data/plugins

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Custom Server

Run a completely custom server JAR or class files.

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Using Custom JAR File

environment:
  TYPE: CUSTOM
  CUSTOM_SERVER: "https://your-server.com/custom-server.jar"

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Using Custom Main Class

Replace the -jar invocation with a custom classpath and main class: 
environment:
  TYPE: CUSTOM
  CUSTOM_JAR_EXEC: "-cp worldedit.jar:Carpet-Server.jar net.minecraft.server.MinecraftServer"
When using docker run, quote the entire value:
-e CUSTOM_JAR_EXEC="-cp worldedit.jar:Carpet-Server.jar net.minecraft.server.MinecraftServer"

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Environment Variables

VariableDefaultDescription
TYPE-Set to CUSTOM
CUSTOM_SERVER-URL or path to custom server JAR
CUSTOM_JAR_EXEC-Custom Java execution arguments

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Complete Examples

services:
  minecraft:
    image: itzg/minecraft-server
    environment:
      EULA: "TRUE"
      TYPE: CUSTOM
      CUSTOM_SERVER: "https://cdn.example.com/my-server.jar"
      VERSION: "1.20.4"
      MEMORY: 4G
    ports:
      - "25565:25565"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/data

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Use Cases

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SpongeVanilla

  • Running Sponge plugins without Forge
  • Vanilla server with plugin capabilities
  • Lightweight plugin platform

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Limbo/NanoLimbo

  • Lobby servers for networks
  • AFK/holding servers
  • Minimal resource placeholder servers
  • Connection management

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Crucible

  • Legacy 1.7.10 modded servers
  • Forge mods + Bukkit plugins on 1.7.10
  • Maintaining old modpacks

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Custom

  • Experimental server implementations
  • Custom-built server software
  • Unreleased or private server builds
  • Educational/development purposes

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Troubleshooting

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SpongeVanilla Java Version

Problem: SpongeVanilla won’t start Solution: Use Java 8 image for Minecraft 1.12: 
image: itzg/minecraft-server:java8-multiarch

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Limbo MOTD Format

Problem: MOTD not displaying correctly Solution: Use JSON chat format: 
MOTD: '{"text":"Server Name","color":"blue"}'

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Custom Server Not Starting

Problem: Custom server JAR fails to launch Solution:
  1. Verify JAR file path is correct
  2. Check JAR file is not corrupted
  3. Ensure proper Java version
  4. Review server logs for specific errors

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Crucible Version Mismatch

Problem: Crucible won’t start Solution: Ensure version is set to 1.7.10: 
environment:
  VERSION: "1.7.10"

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Performance Considerations

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Limbo Servers

Limbo servers are extremely lightweight: 
environment:
  MEMORY: 512M  # Limbo requires minimal resources

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SpongeVanilla

Moderate resource usage: 
environment:
  MEMORY: 2G  # For small servers

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Crucible

Higher resources needed (mods + plugins): 
environment:
  MEMORY: 6G  # Hybrid server requirements

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Migration and Compatibility

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From Vanilla to SpongeVanilla

environment:
  TYPE: SPONGEVANILLA  # Changed from VANILLA
  VERSION: "1.12.2"
Worlds are compatible - just change the type.

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From Other Types to Custom

Custom type can run almost any server JAR: 
environment:
  TYPE: CUSTOM
  CUSTOM_SERVER: "path/to/any-server.jar"

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Next Steps

Vanilla Server

Return to standard vanilla server

Paper Server

Upgrade to high-performance Paper

Hybrid Servers

Combine mods and plugins

Server Configuration

Configure server properties

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