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SPECIFICTION
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mcwrapper

github.com

macOSLinux
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Spec score 6.8 #20 of 30 in Minecraft Backup Software

What it is

mcwrapper is a free Minecraft server wrapper for Linux, macOS, and other POSIX-compatible systems, intended for server administrators. It can start, stop, restart, and check a server’s status, and send arbitrary commands through a named pipe called command_input. Its backup action temporarily prevents world-data writing while it copies and compresses data, then enables writing again. Backups are timestamped, a latest symlink is created, and the default retention is five backups. The restore action stops the server if needed, saves current data, copies a selected backup into the world directory, and restarts the server if it had been running. Restoring disconnects connected clients because it requires an interruption. The log action follows the server log in real time. The install action downloads the current minecraft_server.jar from Mojang and places it in the configured location. Settings can come from environment variables or mcwrapper.conf files in four documented locations. Installation is available from RubyGems.org with the command gem install mcwrapper. The project provides a README and wiki pages on setup, actions, configuration, and automated backups. It is distributed under the MIT License, which provides the software as-is without warranty.

Spec sheet

Purpose
mcwrapper is a Minecraft Server wrapper for OSX and Linux that starts and stops servers, sends commands, and performs safe automatic world-data backups.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
License
The software is distributed under the MIT license, which permits use, copying, modification, distribution, sublicensing, and sale subject to the license conditions.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
Backup retention
Backups are timestamped, a `latest` symlink is created, and the default retention is the latest five backups.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
Backups
The `backup` action disables world-data writing, copies and compresses current world data, then re-enables writing.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
Command pipe
mcwrapper exposes a configurable named pipe (FIFO) called `command_input` for sending commands to the server.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
Command sending
It sends arbitrary commands to the Minecraft server through a named pipe (FIFO) called command_input.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Configuration
Configuration can come from environment variables or `mcwrapper.conf`, searched in four documented locations.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
Installation
The project can be installed from RubyGems with `gem install mcwrapper`.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
Live logging
The `log` action tails the Minecraft server log in real time.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
Log reader
The log action tails the Minecraft server log in real time.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Minecraft download
The install action downloads the current minecraft_server.jar from Mojang and places it in the configured location.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Restore
The restore action stops the server if needed, backs up current data, copies the selected backup into the world directory and restarts the server if it was running.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Restore limitation
The `restore` action disconnects connected clients because restoring cannot be done without interruption.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
Server control
Actions include start, stop, restart, status, check, update, log, backup, restore, and command execution.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
Server installation
The `install` action downloads the current `minecraft_server.jar` from Mojang.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
Support documentation
The repository provides a README and wiki pages for getting started, actions, configuration, and automated backups.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
Target user
It is intended for Minecraft server administrators.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Warranty
The MIT license states that the software is provided as-is without warranty.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Starts, stops, restarts, and checks server status
  • Timestamped backups with five retained by default
  • Follows the server log in real time
  • Available through RubyGems.org

Limits

  • Restore disconnects connected clients
  • Backups default to retaining five copies
  • MIT License provides no warranty

Who it suits

mcwrapper suits administrators of Minecraft Java servers who want command-line server controls, local backup and restore actions, and live log following. Its restore process interrupts connected clients.

Verdict

mcwrapper covers common server administration actions, including backups and restoration, with a documented installation route. Its restore interruption and as-is warranty are worth noting.

Where Specifiction places it

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