How to change game mode in Minecraft

Type /gamemode creative in chat as an operator, or gamemode creative Steve in the server console. Use survival, adventure or spectator for the others.

gamemode

Changes the game mode of yourself or other players to survival, creative, adventure or spectator.

/gamemode <survival|creative|adventure|spectator> [<targets>]

Examples

/gamemode creative Steve

Puts Steve in creative mode.

/gamemode survival @a

Switches every online player to survival.

gamemode spectator Alex

Typed in the server console, without the slash.

Arguments

gamemodeRequired: survival, creative, adventure or spectator.
targetsOptional: Player name or selector. Defaults to yourself.

What it does

Without a target it changes your own mode, so in the server console you must name a player. The mode names must be written out in full: the old number and letter forms such as /gamemode 1 or /gamemode c do not work in Java Edition. The change is announced to other operators when send_command_feedback and log_admin_commands allow it.

Good to know

Needs operator permission level 2.
force-gamemode and defaultgamemode control the mode players get when they join.

Run it on your server

On a SLASHPLAY server, type it in the Console tab without the leading slash; in game, operators type it in chat with the slash. New to this? Start a Minecraft server first.

Your own
Minecraft server.

Start a Minecraft server All commands

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