> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.purpify.host/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Change the Java server difficulty

> Set a Purpify Minecraft Java Edition server to Peaceful, Easy, Normal, or Hard.

Choose `peaceful`, `easy`, `normal`, or `hard`. Use `server.properties` when the setting must persist after a restart.

## Change difficulty temporarily

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Game panel console">
    Start the server and enter the command without `/`.

    ```text theme={"dark"}
    difficulty normal
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="In Minecraft">
    Join as an [operator](/java/manage-players) and include `/`.

    ```text theme={"dark"}
    /difficulty normal
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

Replace `normal` with `peaceful`, `easy`, or `hard`. A command-based change can revert when the server restarts.

## Make the difficulty persistent

<Steps>
  <Step title="Stop the server">
    Stop the server before editing its configuration.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open server.properties">
    Open the file manager and select `server.properties`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set the difficulty">
    Enter one supported value.

    ```properties theme={"dark"}
    difficulty=normal
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save and start">
    Save the file and start the server. Run `difficulty` in the console to confirm the active value.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Card title="Java server properties" icon="gear" href="/java/server-properties">
  Review other persistent Java server settings.
</Card>