EULA
The Minecraft End User License Agreement. A server only starts after you accept it by setting eula=true in eula.txt.
EULA stands for End User License Agreement. Minecraft’s EULA, together with Mojang’s usage guidelines, sets the rules for using the game, including running servers. The server software asks you to agree to it before it runs.
eula.txt
When you start a Minecraft Java server for the first time, it creates a file named eula.txt containing eula=false and stops. Only after you change that line to eula=true and start again will it generate a world and accept players. By doing this you confirm that you have read and accept the EULA.
The same applies to Paper, Fabric, Forge and other server software, because they all run on top of the vanilla server.
Why it matters for server owners
The EULA is not just a startup step. It affects how you may run a public server, especially if you want to earn money with it. In broad terms, the rules allow servers to charge for access or sell cosmetic items, but restrict selling items or features that give players a gameplay advantage. The exact wording changes over time, so read the current EULA and usage guidelines on the official Minecraft website before you set up a store.
Other points worth knowing:
- Your server must not suggest it is an official Mojang or Microsoft product.
- The EULA applies to you as the server operator; your host provides the machine, but you are responsible for how the server is run.
Practical tip
If a server stops right after the first start and the console mentions the EULA, that is expected. Edit eula.txt, set eula=true, and start again. Then configure server.properties before letting players in.