---
title: "Hytale players, permissions and whitelist"
url: https://help.endercloud.in/docs/hytale-players-permissions-and-whitelist
category: "Hytale Hosting"
type: Guide
tags: ["hytale", "permissions", "players", "sub-users", "whitelist"]
keywords: "hytale op, hytale admin, hytale whitelist add, hytale ban player, hytale kick, permissions.json, whitelist.json, bans.json, hytale perm group, make myself admin hytale, hytale whitelist, hytale permissions, hytale ban, hytale unban, hytale operator, op myself hytale, hytale player commands"
difficulty: beginner
time: "5 minutes"
updated: 2026-11-14
source: Endercloud Knowledge Base (official)
---

# Hytale players, permissions and whitelist

> Use console commands such as /op add, /whitelist add and /ban to manage Hytale players. The settings are saved in permissions.json, whitelist.json and bans.json.

You manage who can join and who is an admin on your Hytale server with console commands. Type them in the Game Panel **Console** (without needing to be in the game), or in game chat once you are an operator.

> **Note:**
> Hytale is still in active development and commands can change between updates. Type `/help` in the console to see the commands your server version supports, or `/help <command>` for details on one command.

## Make someone an operator (admin)

Open **Console** in the [Game Panel](https://panel.endercloud.in) and run:

```
/op add PlayerName
```

To take operator rights away again:

```
/op remove PlayerName
```

Give operator rights only to people you fully trust. Operators can change the world and run powerful commands.

## Turn on the whitelist

A whitelist lets only the players you choose join. This is the simplest way to keep a private server for friends.

| Command | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| `/whitelist add PlayerName` | Adds a player to the list |
| `/whitelist remove PlayerName` | Removes a player from the list |
| `/whitelist enable` | Turns the whitelist on |
| `/whitelist disable` | Turns the whitelist off |
| `/whitelist status` | Shows whether it is on |

> **Tip:**
> Add yourself and your friends **before** you enable the whitelist, so nobody gets locked out.

## Kick and ban players

-   `/kick PlayerName` removes a player from the server. They can join again.
    
-   `/ban PlayerName` blocks a player from joining.
    
-   `/unban PlayerName` lifts the ban.
    

## Permission groups

Hytale has a built-in permission system with groups, managed with the `/perm` command. For example, you can list a group's permissions, add permission nodes to a group, or put a player into a group. Run `/help perm` in the console to see the exact syntax on your server version. Some commands need the player's UUID rather than their name.

Many communities use a permissions plugin for more control. Install it like any other mod. See [How to install Hytale mods and plugins](/docs/hytale-mods-and-plugins).

## Where these settings are saved

| File | Contents |
| --- | --- |
| `permissions.json` | Groups, permissions and operators |
| `whitelist.json` | Whitelisted players |
| `bans.json` | Banned players |

You can see these files in **Files**. We recommend using commands instead of editing them. If you do edit them by hand, **stop the server first**: Hytale saves these files while it runs, so changes made while it is online are usually overwritten.

## Let a friend help manage the panel

Operator rights only work inside the game. If a friend should also be able to restart the server, see the console or upload files, add them in the panel's **Users** page (**New user**) with only the permissions they need. Sub-user access can also be given an expiration date. See [How to add sub-users](/docs/how-to-add-sub-users). Never share your own login.

## Frequently asked questions

**Q: How do I make myself an operator?**

Run `/op add YourName` from the Game Panel console. The console always has full rights, so this is the safest way.

**Q: I edited whitelist.json but nothing changed**

The server was probably running and overwrote your change. Stop the server, edit the file again, save, then start it. Or simply use the `/whitelist` commands.

**Q: Is a whitelist the same as a password?**

No. A whitelist checks the player's Hytale account, so only the people you add can join, even if someone else finds your address.