SteelMC

What is SteelMC?

SteelMC is an independent implementation of the Minecraft Java Edition server. It tracks the latest Java Edition release and currently targets Minecraft 26.2.

The goal is to match vanilla behavior while making better use of modern multicore hardware. Gameplay updates remain synchronous, while chunk generation, lighting, packet processing, and chunk sending can run outside the main tick. World generation

World generation is currently the most complete part of SteelMC. Its parity suite compares 7,500 randomly selected chunks with a reproducible vanilla reference: 2,500 in each dimension. All tested chunks match block for block. Entity spawning is not included because most entity behavior has not been implemented yet.

In a focused benchmark on a Ryzen 9 9950X, SteelMC generated a fresh 10,201-chunk Overworld area in a median of 3.98 seconds. Results vary with hardware, and this benchmark does not represent every server workload.

Read Introducing SteelMC for the design story, parity methodology, benchmark context, and limitations. Full results and reproduction instructions are available on the benchmark page. Current status

Today, clients can join a persistent multiplayer world, move and interact, use inventories and commands, and return later to saved chunks. SteelMC currently provides:

Java Edition networking, authentication, encryption, and compression Persistent chunk generation, loading, saving, and lighting Player movement, collision, block interaction, and inventories Commands, permissions, chat, and server configuration Early entity, block entity, and gameplay behavior implementations

SteelMC is not ready to replace an established server:

Survival gameplay is incomplete. Only a small number of entities have meaningful behavior. Full vanilla and protocol parity have not been reached. Plugins are not available yet. Paper, Bukkit, Fabric, Forge, and NeoForge extensions are not compatible.

Follow the implementation tracker for a more detailed view of what is available today.