A small set of understandable rules is easier to enforce than a long document players never read. This guide helps server owners define expectations and a fair moderation process.
A private survival world, a classroom, a creative build server, and a public minigame community need different rules. Start by describing the server’s purpose in one sentence. Then write rules only for behavior that could realistically harm that purpose.
Use proportionate steps when possible: explanation, warning, temporary restriction, temporary ban, and permanent ban for severe or repeated violations. Serious security threats, exploitation, or illegal activity may require immediate removal.
Keep timestamps, relevant logs, and screenshots. Share evidence only with people who need it. Avoid public humiliation, doxxing, or publishing private account information.
Place the short rules where players can read them before joining. Include an effective date, the contact method for reports, and the appeal process. Review rules after incidents or major server changes, not simply on a fixed schedule.
A useful rule says what is prohibited, gives an example, states the usual consequence, and explains how to appeal. Avoid vague rules such as “do not be annoying” when staff cannot apply them consistently.
| Area | Example rule | Typical first response |
|---|---|---|
| Chat | No threats, targeted harassment, hate speech, or repeated spam. | Warning or temporary mute depending on severity |
| Gameplay | No unauthorized clients, duplication exploits, or bypassing protections. | Evidence review, rollback, temporary ban |
| Building | Do not grief, steal, or claim another player’s work. | Restore damage and apply proportionate sanction |
| Privacy | Do not share private information or impersonate staff. | Immediate removal and escalation |
| Staff | Staff actions must be logged and conflicts disclosed. | Review by another administrator |
Do not solve moderation by giving every staff member full operator access. On compatible software, use roles that separate chat moderation, player management, world editing, plugin administration, and server power controls.
Rules are easier to enforce when they describe conduct that players and moderators can identify. “Be respectful” is useful as a principle but too broad as the only rule. Add concrete boundaries for harassment, hate speech, threats, spam, griefing, theft, scams, exploits, prohibited clients, doxxing, impersonation, and attempts to bypass moderation.
Griefing, theft, protected builds, farms, resource areas, duplication, redstone load, and rollback responsibility.
Harassment, slurs, threats, sexual content, spam, advertising, impersonation, and private-message conduct.
Cheat clients, x-ray, macros, exploits, alternate accounts, combat logging, and unauthorized automation.
Personal information, screenshots, voice chat, minors, external links, account sharing, and reporting urgent risks.
| Response | Typical use | Required record |
|---|---|---|
| Informal reminder | Low-impact first mistake with no safety risk | Optional moderator note |
| Formal warning | Clear violation or repeated minor conduct | Rule, evidence, time, moderator and expected correction |
| Temporary restriction | Repeated behavior, investigation, or immediate disruption | Duration, scope, reason and appeal route |
| Rollback or restitution | World damage, theft, or exploit-created gain | Affected area/items, backup or log evidence and action taken |
| Permanent removal | Severe harm, credible threats, evasion, or persistent violations | Complete evidence package and owner approval |
Moderation evidence can include server logs, command records, timestamps, screenshots with context, witness statements, region history, and the player’s own explanation. Avoid publishing private evidence to the whole community. Appeals should be reviewed by someone who was not the sole decision-maker when possible, and the outcome should state whether the finding, consequence, or both changed.
Publish rules before enforcement, protect moderation access, back up the world, preserve necessary evidence, minimize collection of personal data, and apply similar standards to similar cases. PortalMine platform policies remain separate from the owner’s in-game rules.