iHostMC — Minecraft Server Manager

Cross-platform Minecraft server manager: create servers (Vanilla, Paper, Purpur, Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, and more), manage mods and plugins, share with friends without port forwarding, and optionally sync to the cloud. Part of the iHost stack (backend, website, relay).

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What it does

• Create servers — Pick type and version, create, start/stop. No manual jar hunting.
• Share with friends — Use Share server → iHost relay. Friends get one address (e.g. play.ihost.one:port); no router config or port forwarding.
• Mods & plugins — Browse and install from in-app; sync with CurseForge where supported.
• Cloud backup & sync — Sign in at ihost.one; sync server list and backups from Settings → Backup & Sync.
• Updates — In-app updater (Discord-style) when a new version is available.

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Quick start

git clone https://github.com/perlytiara/iHostMC.git
cd iHostMC
cp .env.public.example .env
npm install
npm run tauri dev

Create one server: Servers → Add → choose type (e.g. Paper) and version → Create → Start.
Share: Select server → Share server → Via iHost relay → give friends the shown address.

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One link. No router config.

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Auto-forwarding (relay) — no port forwarding

The app can expose your server to the internet without opening ports on your router:

1. Select the server and open Share server.
2. Choose iHost relay (or Via iHost relay). The app connects to the iHost relay and gets a public address.
3. Share that address (e.g. play.ihost.one:xxxxx) with friends; they join in Minecraft.

First time may download the tunnel tool; after that it’s quick. If players see “Invalid session,” restart the server once. The relay is part of the iHost server component; for self-hosting the full stack, see the main iHost repo.

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The app

Dark theme, server list, one-click start—and Share server for a link your friends can use right away.

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Build & release

• Local build: npm run build:public

• CI (GitHub Actions): Releases now build macOS (Apple Silicon/arm64 + Intel/x64), Windows (x64), and Linux (x86_64) assets. Set Variables and Secrets so release builds work:

  npm run setup:gh                    # Variables (VITE_API_BASE_URL, VITE_WEBSITE_URL)
  npm run setup:gh -- --secrets       # Secrets from .env.gh-secrets (TAURI_SIGNING_*)

  Requires gh CLI and gh auth login. See .github/SECRETS.md for details.

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Important steps for developers

1. Env — Copy .env.public.example to .env. For dev, defaults are fine; for production builds set VITE_API_BASE_URL and VITE_WEBSITE_URL.
2. Backend — Cloud sync and relay token need a running backend (e.g. api.ihost.one). Point the app at it via env.
3. Relay — Share server needs the iHost relay (see main iHost repo).
4. Tests — npm run test:run
5. Signing — Release builds use Tauri signing; secrets are only in CI, not in the repo.

See also docs/ (e.g. updater, backup UX, Windows release).

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Contribution

Contributions are welcome: code, docs, and feedback.

• Repo: GitHub — iHostMC
• Open an issue or PR. For bigger changes, a short discussion in an issue first helps.
• The iHost website has a Contribute page and links here.

Collaborators and contributors are visible on GitHub (contributors list and in PR/issue history).

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Full stack (iHost)

This app is the desktop client. The full system includes:

• iHost repo: backend API, website (ihost.one), relay server, and this app as a submodule.
• Clone with submodules: git clone --recurse-submodules https://github.com/perlytiara/iHost.git

See the main iHost README for backend, website, relay, and data layout.