Client area
Pre-generate a Minecraft map with Chunk-Pregenerator
Introduction
When your players explore new areas, the server must generate the terrain in real-time. This operation is very resource-intensive and often causes freezes, TPS drops, and degraded gameplay experience.
Chunk-Pregenerator solves this issue by pre-generating the terrain. Once the area is pre-generated, players can explore without any lag related to chunk generation.
Why pre-generate your map?
| Advantage | Description |
|---|---|
| Smooth exploration | No more freezes when discovering new areas |
| Stable TPS | The server no longer needs to calculate terrain on the fly |
| Server preparation | Ideal before the start of a new season |
| CPU reduction | Fewer load spikes during gameplay hours |
Prerequisites
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Forge or Fabric Server | The mod requires a mod loader |
| Chunk-Pregenerator | Downloaded from CurseForge |
| Console/OP access | Administrator rights to execute commands |
| Disk space | Ensure sufficient storage according to pregen size |
⚠️ Important: Backup your world before any massive pre-generation.
Version Compatibility
| Minecraft Version | Mod Version | Command Syntax |
|---|---|---|
| 1.7.x - 1.12.2 | Legacy | Old syntax |
| 1.13 - 1.21+ | Modern | New syntax |
Official download: https://www.curseforge.com/minecraft/mc-mods/chunkpregenerator
Mod Installation
- Download the version corresponding to your server on CurseForge
- Place the
.jarfile in themodsfolder of your server - Restart the server
- Verify that the mod is loaded in the logs
Commands for Minecraft 1.13+ and later versions
Generate a zone by radius
Full syntax:
/pregen start gen radius <name> <shape> <X> <Z> <size>
Detailed parameters:
| Parameter | Description | Possible Values |
|---|---|---|
<name> | Unique task identifier | Free text (e.g., spawn_pregen) |
<shape> | Shape of the area to generate | SQUARE (square) or CIRCLE |
<X> | X coordinate of the center | Integer (e.g., 0) |
<Z> | Z coordinate of the center | Integer (e.g., 0) |
<size> | Radius of the zone | In chunks or in blocks with suffix b |
Concrete examples:
# Generate a 100-chunk square around spawn
/pregen start gen radius SpawnZone SQUARE 0 0 100
# Generate a 50-chunk circle centered at 500, 500
/pregen start gen radius BaseZone CIRCLE 500 500 50
# Generate a 3000-block square (note the 'b' at the end)
/pregen start gen radius MainWorld SQUARE 0 0 3000bGenerate via WorldBorder (1.13+)
This method uses the vanilla WorldBorder to define the area to generate.
Step 1: Set the WorldBorder center
/worldborder center <X> <Z>
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
<X> | X coordinate of the center |
<Z> | Z coordinate of the center |
Example:
/worldborder center 0 0
Step 2: Set the WorldBorder size
/worldborder set <diameter>
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
<diameter> | Total size in blocks (diameter, not radius) |
Example:
# WorldBorder of 6000 blocks in diameter (3000 blocks in each direction)
/worldborder set 6000
💡 Attention: The value is a diameter, not a radius. For a 3000-block zone around spawn, enter
6000.
Step 3: Start the pre-generation
/pregen start gen worldborder
This command automatically generates all chunks inside the WorldBorder.
Control Commands (1.13+)
| Command | Action |
|---|---|
/pregen pause | Pauses generation |
/pregen resume | Resumes a paused generation |
/pregen stop | Stops generation permanently |
/pregen info listen | Displays real-time progress |
/pregen info unlisten | Disables progress display |
Workflow example:
# Start pregen
/pregen start gen radius MapSeason1 SQUARE 0 0 3000b
# Monitor progress
/pregen info listen
# Pause if needed (players online)
/pregen pause
# Resume later
/pregen resume
# Stop tracking once finished
/pregen info unlisten
Commands for Minecraft 1.4.3 to 1.12.2
Generate a zone by radius (legacy)
Full syntax:
/pregen gen startradius <shape> <X> <Z> <size>
Detailed parameters:
| Parameter | Description | Possible Values |
|---|---|---|
<shape> | Shape of the zone | square (square) or circle |
<X> | X coordinate of the center | Integer |
<Z> | Z coordinate of the center | Integer |
<size> | Radius in chunks or blocks | Number, prefix b for blocks |
Concrete examples:
# Generate a 100-chunk square around spawn
/pregen gen startradius square 0 0 100
# Generate a 50-chunk circle
/pregen gen startradius circle 0 0 50
# Generate a 3000-block zone (note the 'b' before the number)
/pregen gen startradius square 0 0 b3000
📝 Difference with 1.13+: In legacy, the prefix
bis placed before the number (b3000), whereas in 1.13+ it is placed after (3000b).
Generate via WorldBorder (legacy)
Step 1: Configure the WorldBorder
/worldborder center <X> <Z>
/worldborder set <diameter>
Step 2: Launch the generation
/pregen gen startWorldBorder
⚠️ Attention: The command is written
startWorldBorder(with capitals) in legacy, compared toworldborder(lowercase) in 1.13+.
Control Commands (legacy)
| Command | Action |
|---|---|
/pregen stop | Stops the generation |
/pregen continue | Resumes a stopped generation |
/pregen clear | Stops and completely deletes the task |
/pregen info listen | Displays the progress |
/pregen info unlisten | Hides the progress |
Comparative Table of Commands
| Action | Minecraft 1.13+ | Minecraft 1.4.3 - 1.12.2 |
|---|---|---|
| Generate by radius | /pregen start gen radius <name> <shape> <X> <Z> <size> | /pregen gen startradius <shape> <X> <Z> <size> |
| Generate via WorldBorder | /pregen start gen worldborder | /pregen gen startWorldBorder |
| Pause | /pregen pause | N/A |
| Resume | /pregen resume | /pregen continue |
| Stop | /pregen stop | /pregen stop |
| Delete task | N/A | /pregen clear |
| Follow progress | /pregen info listen | /pregen info listen |
| Distance in blocks | Suffix b after (3000b) | Prefix b before (b3000) |
Calculate the Pre-generation Size
Chunk / Block Correspondence
| Chunks | Blocks (diameter) | Approximate Surface |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 800 | ~640,000 blocks² |
| 100 | 1,600 | ~2.5 million blocks² |
| 185 | 3,000 | ~9 million blocks² |
| 250 | 4,000 | ~16 million blocks² |
| 375 | 6,000 | ~36 million blocks² |
💡 Reminder: 1 chunk = 16 blocks per side
Recommendations based on usage
| Server Type | Recommended Radius | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Small survival | 1500-2000 blocks | Sufficient for the beginning |
| Classic survival | 3000 blocks | Good compromise size/performance |
| Large community | 5000+ blocks | Plan for significant disk space |
| Limited map (seasonal) | According to WorldBorder | Generate exactly the playable area |
Best Practices
When to start pre-generation?
| Time | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| ✅ Empty server | Ideal: early morning or late at night |
| ✅ Before opening | Prepare the map before welcoming players |
| ❌ Peak hours | Avoid: pregen consumes a lot of CPU |
| ❌ No backup | Always backup before a large pregen |
Resource Monitoring
During pre-generation, monitor:
| Resource | Tool | Alert Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Hosting panel or htop | > 90% sustained |
| RAM | Hosting panel | > 85% |
| Disk | Hosting panel | Regularly check free space |
| TPS | /tps in-game | < 15 TPS |
⚠️ Attention: A large pregen can quickly fill up your disk space. A Minecraft world with a 3000 block radius can easily reach several GB.
Troubleshooting
The command is not working
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Unknown command | Ensure the mod is properly installed and loaded |
| Permission denied | Make sure to be OP or use the console |
| Incorrect syntax | Check the mod version and use the correct syntax |
The pregen is very slow
| Cause | Solution |
|---|---|
| Overloaded server | Wait for a quiet period |
| Insufficient RAM | Increase memory allocation |
| Other heavy plugins | Temporarily disable non-essential plugins |
Server lags during pregen
| Action | Command |
|---|---|
| Pause | /pregen pause (1.13+) |
| Stop | /pregen stop |
| Resume later | /pregen resume or /pregen continue |
Summary of Screenshots
| No. | Content of the screenshot |
|---|---|
| 1 | Folder mods with the Chunk-Pregenerator file visible |
| 2 | Server console with pregen command and confirmation message |
| 3 | In-game view of the WorldBorder (visual effect at the borders) |
Summary
Chunk-Pregenerator is an essential tool for any Minecraft server wishing to offer smooth exploration. By generating the terrain in advance, you eliminate freezes and maintain a stable TPS, even with an active community exploring in all directions.
Checklist before opening:
- [ ] Mod installed and functional
- [ ] World backup performed
- [ ] WorldBorder configured (optional)
- [ ] Pre-generation started during quiet period
- [ ] Disk space checked
- [ ] Progress monitored until completion