Create: A&B2026-06-17 · 7 min read

Create: Above and Beyond Server Setup Guide (2026)

Create: Above and Beyond is one of the best expert-mode Create modpacks. Setting up a dedicated server is straightforward — this guide covers every step from CurseForge download to first automation.

1

Choose your RAM

6 GB is the sweet spot for a small group; 8 GB for a busier server. Create: Above and Beyond is lighter than kitchen-sink packs because it is a focused expert pack built around the Create mod — not a sprawling mod list. You won't need the 12–16 GB that packs like RLCraft demand.

2

Download the server pack from CurseForge

Search 'Create: Above and Beyond' on CurseForge and download the server pack — not the client modpack. The server pack includes the correct Forge version for Minecraft 1.18.2 and all required mods pre-assembled. Extract the archive to your server directory before running anything.

3

Run the Forge installer

The server pack includes a Forge installer jar. Run `java -jar forge-installer.jar --installServer` to install Forge into the directory. Create: Above and Beyond runs on Minecraft 1.18.2, which requires Java 17. Make sure your runtime is Java 17 before running the installer — using the wrong Java version will cause startup errors.

4

Accept the EULA and configure server.properties

Edit eula.txt and set `eula=true` — the server will not start without it. In server.properties, set view-distance to 8–10. Create contraptions require chunk loading to function, so too low a view-distance will break automation. Too high (16+) will hurt performance. The default port 25565 works unless you have a specific reason to change it.

5

First boot and connecting players

First boot takes 3–6 minutes as Forge loads all mods. Once the console shows 'Done', the server is ready. Players connect via CurseForge App, Prism Launcher or ATLauncher — all work fine. The Create contraption animation is entirely client-side, so there is no additional server configuration needed for trains, windmills or other contraptions to display correctly.

FAQ

What Java version does Create: Above and Beyond need?+
Java 17. Create: A&B runs on Minecraft 1.18.2, which requires Java 17. Unlike older 1.12.2 packs such as RLCraft or Sky Factory 4, this pack does not need Java 8 — Java 17 is the correct runtime.
Does Create machinery lag the server?+
It can. Chunk-loaded contraptions — especially large networks of trains and belts — generate TPS load proportional to their complexity. Keep contraption counts reasonable and avoid unnecessary chunk loading. A well-managed Create base on 6–8 GB runs smoothly.
How much RAM does Create: Above and Beyond need?+
6 GB for a small focused group; 8 GB if multiple players are active and running large factories simultaneously. It is one of the lighter expert packs, so you won't need the extreme RAM sizes that mob-heavy modpacks require.
Is Create: Above and Beyond hard to set up?+
No — it is one of the easier expert packs to deploy. The CurseForge server pack is well-maintained, Forge installs cleanly on 1.18.2 with Java 17, and there are no special runtime dependencies beyond the standard setup.
Can players use different launchers?+
Yes — CurseForge App, Prism Launcher, MultiMC and ATLauncher all work on the client side. The server does not care which launcher players use, as long as they are running the same Create: Above and Beyond version.

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