> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://simplecloud.app/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Serverhost

> Connect a machine that SimpleCloud can use to run Minecraft servers

A serverhost is a machine that runs Minecraft servers for your SimpleCloud network. Install one serverhost on each machine whose CPU and memory you want SimpleCloud to use.

The serverhost runs in the background. You manage the Minecraft servers and decide which serverhosts may run them through the dashboard. Use the CLI on a serverhost when you need to start, stop, update, or troubleshoot the serverhost itself.

## What a serverhost does

A serverhost:

* Prepares Minecraft server files from your templates
* Starts and stops Minecraft servers
* Applies the software, plugins, memory, and other settings you configure
* Sends server status, logs, and resource usage to SimpleCloud

## Add a serverhost

In the dashboard, open **Settings > Server Hosts** and select **Add Host**. Configure the host, then run the generated setup command on the machine you want to add.

The command installs SimpleCloud, connects the serverhost to your network, and starts it. For prerequisites and the complete setup process, follow the [installation guide](/docs/en/manual/setup/installation).

Use **Settings > Server Hosts** to view and change a host's settings. Choose which hosts may run servers when you configure a server group.

## Check or control a serverhost

Run these commands from the SimpleCloud installation directory:

```bash theme={null}
# Show whether the serverhost is running
sc status serverhost

# Read recent serverhost logs
sc logs serverhost --lines 200

# Start or stop the serverhost
sc start serverhost
sc stop serverhost

# Restart it and install an available update
sc restart serverhost --update
```

### What happens to running Minecraft servers

When you stop or restart a serverhost, the CLI asks whether it should also stop the Minecraft servers running on that machine.

* Choose **Yes** when taking the machine offline or when the Minecraft servers must stop too.
* Choose **No** for short serverhost maintenance if the Minecraft servers should remain online. The serverhost reconnects to them after it starts again.

<Warning>
  Do not shut down or reboot the machine while Minecraft servers are still running. Stop them first so they can save their data cleanly.
</Warning>

## Troubleshoot a serverhost

If a serverhost is offline or a server cannot start, check that:

* The serverhost is online.
* It has enough free memory for the server.
* The required Java version is installed.
* The group is allowed to use that serverhost.

Use `sc logs serverhost --lines 200` for more information. You can also review the affected Minecraft server's logs in the dashboard.

## Use multiple serverhosts

With multiple serverhosts, SimpleCloud can distribute servers across the machines allowed by each group. This adds capacity, but the machines do not share a filesystem.

* Keep templates, workflows, and configurator files synchronized so a server can start correctly on any eligible host.
* While a server is running, its files and logs exist only on the serverhost that started it.
* A persistent server's files stay on its assigned serverhost. Changing its serverhost does not move those files.

Follow the [multi-root setup guide](/docs/en/manual/setup/multi-root) to add another machine and synchronize the shared files.

## Related pages

* [Templates](/docs/en/manual/setup/templates) explains how server files are prepared.
* [Configurators](/docs/en/manual/configuration/configurators) explains automatic configuration changes.
* [Workflows](/docs/en/manual/configuration/workflows) explains advanced preparation and cleanup steps.