How to Set Up Permissions on Your Hytale Server (2026 Guide)

Why Permissions Matter for Your Hytale Server

Running a Hytale server without proper permissions is like leaving your front door wide open. Anyone can walk in and do whatever they want—build, destroy, access admin commands, or worse. Permissions are the backbone of server security and organization.

When you set up permissions correctly, you:

• Protect your server from griefers and malicious players
• Organize your community with clear rank hierarchies
• Empower your staff with the exact tools they need
• Create unique experiences for different player groups

Without permissions, every player has equal access to everything. That's a recipe for chaos.

Understanding Permission Basics

Before diving into setup, let's clarify some key concepts:

What is a Permission Node?

A permission node is a text string that represents a specific action or feature. For example:

• hytale.build — Allows placing and breaking blocks
• hytale.chat — Allows sending messages in chat
• hyperperms.admin — Grants access to HyperPerms admin commands

Plugins register their own permission nodes. When a player tries to do something, the server checks if they have the required permission.

What are Groups?

Groups (also called ranks) are collections of permissions that you assign to players. Instead of giving each player individual permissions, you create groups like "Member," "Moderator," and "Admin," each with their own set of permissions.

Players inherit all permissions from their group. This makes management much easier—change a group's permissions once, and it applies to everyone in that group.

What is Inheritance?

Inheritance means groups can "extend" other groups. For example, your Moderator group might inherit from Member, so moderators automatically get all member permissions plus their own moderation tools.

This creates a clean hierarchy:

Owner
  └── Admin
        └── Moderator
              └── Member
                    └── Default

Installing HyperPerms

HyperPerms is the premier permissions plugin for Hytale servers. Here's how to install it:

Step 1: Download the Plugin

Head to the official HyperPerms download page and grab the latest version. Make sure it's compatible with your server version.

Step 2: Add to Your Server

1. Stop your Hytale server if it's running
2. Navigate to your server's plugins folder
3. Drop the HyperPerms JAR file into this folder
4. Start your server

Step 3: Verify Installation

Once your server starts, run:

/hp version

You should see the HyperPerms version number, confirming successful installation.

Creating Your First Groups

HyperPerms automatically creates a default group on first run. Let's set up a proper hierarchy.

Create Basic Groups

Run these commands to create your rank structure:

/hp group create member
/hp group create moderator
/hp group create admin
/hp group create owner

Set Up Inheritance

Now make each group inherit from the one below:

/hp group moderator parent add member
/hp group admin parent add moderator
/hp group owner parent add admin

Assign Permissions

Give each group appropriate permissions:

For Members:

/hp group member permission set hytale.build true
/hp group member permission set hytale.chat true
/hp group member permission set hytale.teleport.home true

For Moderators:

/hp group moderator permission set hytale.kick true
/hp group moderator permission set hytale.mute true
/hp group moderator permission set hytale.teleport.others true

For Admins:

/hp group admin permission set hytale.ban true
/hp group admin permission set hytale.gamemode true
/hp group admin permission set hyperperms.user.* true

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Using Wildcards Carelessly

The * wildcard grants ALL permissions under a node. Using * or hyperperms.* gives full access to everything. Only use wildcards for trusted admins who need complete control.

Mistake 2: Forgetting the Default Group

New players automatically join the default group. If you don't configure it, new players might have too many—or too few—permissions.

Mistake 3: Circular Inheritance

Never create loops like "A inherits B, B inherits A." This causes errors and unpredictable behavior.

Mistake 4: Not Testing Changes

Always test permission changes before announcing them. Create a test account or use /hp user check to verify permissions work as expected.

Using the Visual Editor

Tired of commands? HyperPerms includes a browser-based visual editor that makes permission management intuitive.

Launch the Editor

Run this command in-game or from your console:

/hp editor

You'll receive a clickable link that opens the web editor. No downloads or installations required—it works right in your browser.

What You Can Do

The visual editor lets you:

• Create, edit, and delete groups with a few clicks
• Drag-and-drop permissions between groups
• See inheritance relationships in a visual graph
• Preview chat formatting in real-time
• Copy permissions between groups instantly

It's especially helpful for complex setups where command-line management becomes tedious.

Next Steps

Congratulations! You've set up permissions on your Hytale server. Here's what to explore next:

1. Read about permission nodes to understand advanced usage
2. Set up staff ranks with proper hierarchy
3. Explore contexts for world-specific permissions

Try HyperPerms' visual editor to manage permissions without memorizing commands. It's free, requires no setup, and works directly in your browser.