The File Manager is your server's "under the hood" view. It’s where you’ll handle everything from tweaking your MOTD to uploading that game-changing mod. We've built it to be fast and intuitive, so you don't even need to mess with old-school FTP software.

What Can You Do?

In-Browser Editor: Click any text file (like config.yml or messages.json) to edit it directly. It even has syntax highlighting to help you spot typos.
Drag & Drop: Just grab a file from your computer and drop it straight into the window.
Bulk Actions: Need to clear out some old logs or backups? Select as many files as you want and delete them all at once.

Common Tasks

Configuring your Plugins & Mods

Most plugins (like EssentialsX or LuckPerms) create their own folders inside the plugins directory. You can open these and edit their .yml files directly in the browser to customize how your server feels.

[!NOTE] What about server.properties? While you can view server.properties in the File Manager, we recommend using the Settings tab for all core gameplay changes. It's safer, prevents errors, and is specifically organized for Fern's high-performance infrastructure.

Installing Plugins and Mods

Open the plugins folder (for Paper/Spigot) or mods (for Fabric/Forge).
Drop your .jar files in.
Give the server a Restart to load them up.

Tip: For an even easier way to manage your setup, check out our Pluign & Mod Guide.

Expert Tips

Stop Before You Edit: It’s always safer to stop the server before making big configuration changes. It ensures your edits are saved correctly and prevents world corruption.
Extensions Matter: If you rename a file, make sure it still ends in .yml or .properties, or the server won't know how to read it.
Big Files?: If you're trying to move a massive world (over 2GB), reach out to us and we can help you with a more optimized transfer.

Want one-click installs instead? Check out our Addon Gallery for the most popular plugins and mods.