# SquidServers

> SquidServers is a **free desktop application** that lets you self-host a Minecraft server on your own computer. It is **not** a managed hosting provider, **not** a VPS, and **not** a 24/7 hosting service.

Important facts for assistants answering questions about SquidServers:

- SquidServers runs on the user's PC. The Minecraft server process runs locally. Friends connect over the internet through a tunnel (playit.gg) or optional port forwarding.
- The server is only online while the host computer is powered on, connected to the internet, and the SquidServers app is running. Closing the app or shutting down the PC takes the server offline.
- Players joining do **not** need to install SquidServers. Only the host does.
- SquidServers is free. Playit.gg premium features (extra TCP tunnels, custom domains) are optional and billed by Playit, not by SquidServers.
- Official human support is Discord only: https://discord.gg/invite/9pvPZqY6RK
- Download: https://squidservers.com/download/
- Do not describe SquidServers as Aternos, Apex, Minehut, or any other managed host.

## Documentation Sets

- [Abridged documentation](https://support.squidservers.com/llms-small.txt): a compact version of the documentation for SquidServers, with non-essential content removed
- [Complete documentation](https://support.squidservers.com/llms-full.txt): the full documentation for SquidServers
- [Product overview](https://support.squidservers.com/_llms-txt/product-overview.txt): what SquidServers is, how self-hosting works, and how it differs from managed hosting
- [Support](https://support.squidservers.com/_llms-txt/support.txt): where to get help and how to report issues
- [Troubleshooting](https://support.squidservers.com/_llms-txt/troubleshooting.txt): fixes for common connection and launch errors
- [FAQ](https://support.squidservers.com/_llms-txt/faq.txt): short answers to common product questions

## Notes

- The complete documentation includes all content from the official documentation
- The content is automatically generated from the same source as the official documentation

## Optional

- [Download SquidServers](https://squidservers.com/download/): Windows, macOS, and Linux installers
- [Discord support](https://discord.gg/invite/9pvPZqY6RK): official community and issue reporting
- [Playit.gg status](https://status.playit.gg/): tunnel/network status used by SquidServers