> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.refractbot.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.refractbot.com/introduction-to-botting/servers.md).

# Servers

A server is a remote machine you rent to run the bot on instead of your home computer. Some users run one for the always-on uptime and extra bandwidth. Many users never need one.

{% hint style="info" %}
**This page is background, not a setup guide.** We do not recommend server providers. For provider recommendations, ask your cook group.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
**A server is not automatically better.** For Target specifically, local machines pass Shape better than servers, and Windows servers are the worst option. See the Target guide before renting anything for Target.
{% endhint %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/de243ea28de3a65e45a06c8368425b47f9aa7f45" %}
[General Target Release Guide](/modules/target/general-target-release-guide.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

## Why some users run servers

* **Always online:** tasks keep running without your home PC staying on.
* **Bandwidth:** servers typically have far more network capacity than home internet, which is what actually limits how many tasks you can run.
* **Location:** many retailer backends are hosted in Virginia, so servers near there get lower latency.

## What actually matters when choosing one

Bandwidth is usually the bottleneck, not CPU or RAM. A modest server with high bandwidth beats a powerful server on a throttled connection. As a rough baseline, 8 cores and 16GB RAM covers most setups.

| Type                  | What it is                                              | Typical use             |
| --------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------- |
| VPS                   | A virtual slice of a shared machine. Cheaper.           | Smaller setups          |
| Dedicated (baremetal) | The whole physical machine. More expensive, more power. | Larger multi-bot setups |

## Operating system requirement

This part is a hard requirement, not guidance. Refract runs on:

* Windows 10/11 on a desktop machine
* Windows Server 2016 or newer
* macOS 12 (Monterey) or newer

Windows Server 2012 and earlier will not work, and neither will macOS versions older than 12.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Avoid Windows Server 2022 if you can.** It can have UI rendering issues in Refract (a purple interface). This is cosmetic only and does not impact performance, but other versions do not have the issue.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
**Start with your cook group.** Which server providers are reliable, which oversell their bandwidth, and what members are actually running is community knowledge we do not track.
{% endhint %}


---

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