Using the File Editor

4 min read Updated Apr 2, 2026

The Game Panel includes a built-in VS Code Editor for editing files directly from your browser. You can use it to edit configuration files, scripts, and other text files without needing to download anything.

Opening a File

  1. Log in to the Game Panel
  2. Select your server
  3. In the left menu, click Core then Files
  4. Click on any text file to open it in the editor

You can also create a new file by clicking Create at the top of the file browser and selecting New File.

Editor Features

Syntax Highlighting

The editor automatically detects the language based on the file extension and highlights the syntax accordingly. For example, opening a .yml file will highlight YAML syntax, and a .json file will highlight JSON syntax.

If the editor does not detect the correct language, you can change it manually using the language dropdown at the bottom of the editor.

The editor supports over 50 languages, including common server file types like YAML, JSON, Java, properties files, shell scripts, and more.

Minimap

On the right side of the editor, you will see a minimap showing a zoomed-out preview of the entire file. This is useful for quickly scrolling through larger files. Click anywhere on the minimap to jump to that section.

Code Folding

You can collapse sections of code by hovering over the line numbers and clicking the fold arrow that appears. This is helpful for hiding sections you are not currently editing in large configuration files.

  • Click the arrow next to a section to collapse it
  • Click it again to expand it

Bracket Matching

The editor highlights matching brackets and colours bracket pairs, making it easier to see where blocks of code or configuration start and end.

Find and Replace

Use Ctrl + F (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + F (Mac) to open the search bar. Use Ctrl + H (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + H (Mac) to open find and replace. This is useful for quickly changing values across a file, such as replacing an old IP address or renaming a setting.

Command Palette

Press Ctrl + Shift + P (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + Shift + P (Mac) to open the command palette. This gives you access to all available editor actions and settings in a searchable list.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Here are the most useful keyboard shortcuts available in the editor.

Saving

Shortcut Action
Ctrl + S / Cmd + S Save the file

Editing

Shortcut Action
Ctrl + Z / Cmd + Z Undo
Ctrl + Y / Cmd + Shift + Z Redo
Ctrl + D / Cmd + D Duplicate line
Ctrl + Shift + K / Cmd + Shift + K Delete line
Alt + Up / Option + Up Move line up
Alt + Down / Option + Down Move line down
Ctrl + / / Cmd + / Toggle comment
Ctrl + A / Cmd + A Select all
Shortcut Action
Ctrl + G / Cmd + G Go to line
Ctrl + F / Cmd + F Find
Ctrl + H / Cmd + H Find and replace
Ctrl + Shift + [ / Cmd + Shift + [ Fold code section
Ctrl + Shift + ] / Cmd + Shift + ] Unfold code section
Ctrl + Shift + P / Cmd + Shift + P Command palette

Common Use Cases

Editing server.properties

The server.properties file controls your server's core settings. Open it from the root directory and use find (Ctrl + F) to quickly locate the setting you want to change.

Editing Plugin Configurations

Most plugins store their settings in .yml files inside the plugins folder. YAML files are sensitive to indentation, so be careful to use spaces (not tabs) and keep the existing formatting consistent.

Editing JSON Files

Some mods and configurations use .json files. The editor will highlight any syntax errors such as missing commas or brackets, making it easier to spot mistakes before saving.

Tips

  • Always stop your server before editing files that the server actively uses (like world data). Configuration files can usually be edited while the server is running, but you will need to restart for changes to take effect.
  • Use find and replace when you need to change the same value in multiple places.
  • Use code folding to collapse sections you are not working on, especially in large configuration files.
  • Check the language if syntax highlighting looks wrong. Use the dropdown at the bottom of the editor to select the correct language.

Need Help?

If you encounter any issues or need further assistance, you can reach us through:

Was this article helpful?

Related Articles