Pumpkin

Pumpkin

Choose Servers → New server → Minecraft → Pumpkin. Pumpkin is a native Rust server, not a Java server or mod loader. Helix downloads a versioned publisher release, verifies its SHA-256 digest and Linux executable architecture, and runs it as an unprivileged user in a resource-limited container. No Java installation is needed. Linux x86-64 and ARM64 release assets are supported.

Versions and compatibility

The selector lists Pumpkin release tags, not arbitrary Minecraft versions. The initial integration targets 0.1.0-dev+26.2-26.45: Java 26.2 and Bedrock 1.26.45. Moving nightly builds are deliberately excluded. The project is still under heavy development; a working server does not mean complete vanilla parity.

Pumpkin has its own plugin API. Paper/Bukkit JARs and Fabric, Quilt, Forge, or NeoForge mods and packs are not native Pumpkin add-ons. Helix therefore does not offer its Java plugin/mod marketplace for Pumpkin. Use Files for trusted Pumpkin plugins compiled for the exact release, OS, and CPU architecture. PatchBukkit is a separate compatibility bridge, not a blanket guarantee that existing Bukkit plugins work. Helix does not install that bridge automatically.

Do not replace an existing server's world in place. Test a copy from a backup on a separate Pumpkin server first. Automatic AMP/world/modpack conversion to Pumpkin is intentionally rejected; world-format support is not proof of plugin, block, entity, or gameplay compatibility.

Java and Bedrock ports

Java uses the selected Minecraft TCP port. This release's Bedrock transport is NetherNet, with a separate TCP and UDP port. Set that port during creation, or leave it blank to reserve a second free number from the Minecraft port pool. Helix checks both protocols and existing Helix/AMP claims. RCON is separate and published only on host loopback, never as a public game port.

For LAN play, use the addresses shown on Overview. For internet play, manually forward Java TCP and Bedrock TCP/UDP to this host. Behind NAT, Bedrock also needs external_ip under [networking.bedrock.nethernet] in pumpkin.toml set to the correct public IP. CGNAT can still prevent inbound access. Helix does not change routers or claim to have tested a connection from the internet.

Bedrock accounts keep Xbox authentication enabled and use a . name prefix to avoid collisions with Java accounts. Whitelist/operator commands must use the actual prefixed Bedrock name. Older Bedrock protocols are not automatically supported, and Geyser is not required for Pumpkin's native transport.

Controls and settings

Start, stop, restart, force-stop, start-on-boot, CPU/memory limits, status, persistent console history, file management, icons, backups, restore, and server removal use Helix's normal native-server controls. The memory selection is a container limit, not a JVM heap reservation.

Settings edit pumpkin.toml, preserve unknown configuration values, keep a copy of the previous file, and reject stale edits. Most changes require a restart. Changing the Java game port or memory recreates the container with its updated limits/publication; the reserved Bedrock port stays unchanged. Do not change managed listener addresses in Files without matching container publication.

Idle-kick time, allow-flight, and spawn protection are disabled in the standard settings form because this release does not expose matching configuration fields. Use Files for other Pumpkin settings. TOML formatting/comments may be rewritten by the structured settings editor; the original file is retained in its backup. For the in-game favicon use Pumpkin's icon.png; Helix's server-card image is separate. The console uses private RCON and survives closing the dashboard.

Updates and recovery

Update checks the latest versioned publisher release. An unchanged checksum does nothing. A changed build is downloaded and verified before stopping the server; Helix then makes a full stopped-server backup before activation. A running server must pass startup checks or its previous binary is restored. The full backup remains available from Backups → Restore for world/config recovery. A stopped server stays stopped; its later startup is not prevalidated.

Updates that change the Java Minecraft version are blocked. Test that new release separately before migrating a backup. Helix does not silently change world versions, install nightlies, or promise third-party plugin compatibility.

References

• Pumpkin releases
• Configuration
• Pinned release Bedrock configuration
• Plugin development and API stability