# Change the difficulty, game mode and player slots

> Difficulty and slots are settings; the game mode is a command. Where each one lives and when it takes effect.

Source: https://fadehost.com/docs/difficulty-gamemode-and-slots/

Three of the most asked-for changes, in the two places they live.

## Difficulty and player slots: Settings

1. **Settings**, **Server**.
2. **Difficulty**: peaceful, easy, normal or hard. **Player slots**: how many can be online at once.
3. Save and restart. Both are read when the server starts.

`difficulty hard` in the **Console** changes it at once without a restart; the setting in the panel wins again on the next start, so change both if you want it to stick.

## Game mode: a command

The default game mode for new players is a command in the **Console**:

```
defaultgamemode creative
gamemode survival Steve
```

`defaultgamemode` sets what new players start in and saves with the world. `gamemode <mode> <player>` changes one player now. Hardcore is a world setting chosen at creation; the **Hard mode** and **Hardcore** presets set it up for you.

## Good to know

- Slots are not a RAM setting. A 2 GB server can list 100 slots; it just cannot hold 100 players. See [Allocate RAM](/docs/allocate-ram/).
- Spawn protection, command blocks, flight and view distance are on the same settings page.
- The **Commands** tab keeps the commands you run often as one-click buttons.