MINECRAFT STARTER PANEL - START HERE
====================================

If you have never hosted a Minecraft server before, you are exactly who this panel is for.

LINUX - FIRST LAUNCH
--------------------
1. Extract the ENTIRE ZIP. Do not run files from inside the ZIP.
2. Double-click "Minecraft Starter Panel.desktop".
3. If Linux asks, choose "Trust and Launch" or "Allow Launching" once.
4. Your browser opens to the panel automatically.
5. Choose "Create a new Paper server" and continue through the beginner setup wizard.

You can also run the native START-PANEL file directly. If your desktop refuses to launch it, open a terminal in the extracted folder and run:
  chmod +x START-PANEL START-PANEL.sh INSTALL-AS-SERVICE.sh
  ./START-PANEL

If port 8765 is already being used, alpha.12 automatically chooses another free local port and opens the correct address. If another Starter Panel is already running, launching again opens that existing panel instead of failing.

WINDOWS - FIRST LAUNCH
----------------------
1. Extract the ENTIRE ZIP. Do not run files from inside the ZIP.
2. Double-click VERIFY-PACKAGE.bat if this is a test/alpha build.
3. Double-click START-PANEL.bat.
4. Your web browser opens to http://127.0.0.1:8765
5. Choose "Create a new Paper server".
6. Pick a server name and folder.
7. Use the suggested RAM amount.
8. Let the panel check Java.
9. Read/accept the Minecraft EULA.
10. Create the server, then click Start Server.

TO JOIN FROM THIS SAME PC
-------------------------
In Minecraft Java Edition, use:
localhost

TO LET SOMEBODY ON THE SAME HOME NETWORK JOIN
----------------------------------------------
Open "Internet & Port Forwarding" in the panel.
Use the Server computer IP shown there.

TO LET SOMEBODY OUTSIDE YOUR HOME JOIN
---------------------------------------
Open "Internet & Port Forwarding" and click "Scan My Home Network".
The panel explains the router steps in plain English and includes a parent/guardian explanation.

IMPORTANT: forward the Minecraft game port (usually 25565), NEVER the control-panel port (8765 or whichever local fallback port the panel selected).

SAFE SHUTDOWN
-------------
Use Stop Server before closing Minecraft Starter Panel or shutting down the PC.

IF YOU WANT TO START THE WIZARD OVER
------------------------------------
Server Settings -> Forget Current Server & Show Setup Wizard

This does NOT delete the Minecraft folder or panel backups.

READ NEXT
---------
README.md
and then:
docs/FIRST-SERVER-GUIDE.md

You do not need to learn everything before you start. The guide explains each term when it becomes useful.


PANEL ONLINE IS NOT THE SAME AS MINECRAFT ONLINE
------------------------------------------------
Opening Minecraft Starter Panel starts the management screen only. On the Dashboard, press Start Server and wait for the status to turn GREEN and say ONLINE before joining Minecraft. Red means Minecraft is stopped; amber means it is still starting.
