---
title: "How to create a Database via your panel"
description: "Create a MySQL database from your panel's Databases tab, then copy the host, port 3306 and generated credentials into a LuckPerms or EssentialsX config."
url: "https://www.gameserverkings.com/knowledge-base/general/how-to-create-a-database-via-your-panel/"
category: "General"
category_url: "https://www.gameserverkings.com/knowledge-base/general/"
published: "2026-04-10T01:12:09.385Z"
updated: "2026-08-19T04:18:59.946Z"
source_format: "markdown"
site: "GameServerKings"
---

# How to create a Database via your panel

Some plugins, mods, and game-specific tools require a MySQL or MariaDB database. The panel can create and manage one for your server on our [game server hosting plans](/games/), with no manual MySQL administration needed.

> [!IMPORTANT] Databases are switched off until you ask for one
> Servers ship with a database allowance of **0**, so the **Databases** tab starts out reading *"Databases cannot be created for this server"* with no **Create Database** button. That is normal, and it is not something you buy: open a ticket telling us which plugin needs a database and we will raise the allowance on your server. Do the rest of this guide once that is done.

## When You Need a Database

Common cases:

- **Minecraft**: Plugins like LuckPerms (when configured for MySQL), DiscordSRV (logs), EssentialsX (large servers)
- **Rust**: Some [advanced plugins](/knowledge-base/rust/popular-plugins/) (Server Rewards persistence, custom auction houses)
- **Project Zomboid**: Whitelist storage or persistent data plugins
- **Unturned (RocketMod)**: Many plugins use MySQL for cross-server data; see [Install RocketMod and OpenMod on Unturned](/knowledge-base/unturned/how-to-install-rocketmod-plugins-for-unturned/)
- **CS2 / TF2 (SourceMod)**: Stat trackers, web admin tools like SourceBans++
- **FiveM**: [ESX and QBCore frameworks](/knowledge-base/fivem/database-and-frameworks/) both need MySQL (though typically set up directly on your dedicated machine, not via panel)

If your plugin or mod's docs ask for database credentials, you need one.

## Creating a Database

1. Open your server in the panel.

2. Click the **Databases** tab in the sidebar.

3. Click **Create Database**.

4. Fill in:

   - **Database Name**: A descriptive name (e.g., `luckperms`, `serverstats`). The panel may auto-prefix with your server's ID.
   - **Connections from**: The IPs allowed to connect. `%` allows any (usually fine). Restrict to specific IPs for tighter security.

5. Click **Create Database**.

The panel creates the database, generates a random username and password, and displays the connection details.

## Connection Details

After creation, the Databases tab shows:

- **Host**: The MySQL server address. It is the node your server runs on, so it looks like `your-node.gameserverkings.com` and differs from server to server — always copy the exact value shown here rather than typing one from a guide.
- **Port**: Usually `3306`
- **Database Name**: The full name with prefix (e.g., `s1234_luckperms`)
- **Username**: Auto-generated (e.g., `u1234_abcdefghij`)
- **Password**: Click **Show Password** to reveal

> [!IMPORTANT] Save these credentials
> You'll paste them into your plugin or mod's config file.

## Using the Connection in a Plugin

Most plugins want a connection string or individual fields. Examples:

### LuckPerms (Minecraft) `config.yml`

```yaml title="config.yml"
storage-method: mysql

data:
  address: your-node.gameserverkings.com:3306
  database: s1234_luckperms
  username: u1234_abcdefghij
  password: YOUR_PASSWORD
```

### EssentialsX MySQL Config

```yaml
mysql:
  enabled: true
  host: your-node.gameserverkings.com
  port: 3306
  database: s1234_essentials
  username: u1234_abcdefghij
  password: YOUR_PASSWORD
```

### Generic Connection URI

```
mysql://u1234_abcdefghij:YOUR_PASSWORD@your-node.gameserverkings.com:3306/s1234_luckperms
```

> [!IMPORTANT]
> After updating the config, restart the server (or reload the plugin) for the connection to apply.

## Connecting Externally with a SQL Client

To inspect or back up the database manually:

1. Install **HeidiSQL** (Windows), **TablePlus** (Mac/Windows), or **DBeaver** (cross-platform).

2. Create a new connection with the panel's database credentials.

3. Connect.

You can now run SQL queries, view tables, export data, etc.

This is also how you'd take a manual database backup:

```sql
-- Run via your SQL client's Export menu, or via command line:
mysqldump -h your-node.gameserverkings.com -P 3306 -u u1234_abcdefghij -p s1234_luckperms > backup.sql
```

## Rotating the Password

If the password leaks or a sub-user with access leaves:

1. In the Databases tab, click **...** next to the database.

2. Click **Rotate Password**.

3. A new password is generated. Update your plugin configs with the new value.

## Deleting a Database

To clean up:

1. **Backup the data first** if you might want it later. Once deleted, the database and all its tables are gone permanently.

2. In the Databases tab, click **...** > **Delete**.

3. Confirm.

## Best Practices

- One database per major plugin (don't share databases across plugins unless they explicitly support it)
- Restrict connection IPs when possible (e.g., only your server's IP and your home IP for admin tools)
- Back the database up with `mysqldump` before any major change. A [panel backup](/knowledge-base/general/how-to-create-a-backup/) snapshots your server's own files and does **not** include the MySQL database — the database lives on a separate host, so it is not in the archive
- Document your databases (which plugin uses which database) in your team's notes
- Rotate passwords if any team member with access leaves

## Limits

Your allowance is set per server by us and starts at **0**. It is not part of what you buy: no amount of vCores, RAM, storage or location changes it, and there is no plan or tier that includes databases.

Once you have an allowance, the **Databases** tab shows where you stand — *"1 of 2 databases have been allocated to this server."* The **Create Database** button disappears once you are at the limit.

To get an allowance, or a larger one, open a ticket and say which plugin needs it. Consolidating plugins onto fewer databases is also worth considering where the plugins explicitly support sharing.

## Common Issues

- **Plugin says "cannot connect"**: Confirm the host, port, and username are exactly right. Watch for stray spaces.
- **Connection works locally but not from the server**: The plugin's config may be using `localhost`. Change to the actual host from the Databases tab.
- **"Access denied for user"**: Password is wrong or contains a special character that needs escaping. Rotate the password and try again.
- **"Too many connections"**: Some plugins open many connections; check the plugin's pool settings. Usually `maxConnections: 10` is plenty.

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