Fair Use Policy
CyTide runs on shared home hardware. This policy exists to make sure one customer can't degrade everyone else's experience.
This policy applies to all services provided by CyTide Hosting including Minecraft server hosting and Discord bot hosting. It supplements the Terms of Service and does not replace it.
Because CyTide runs on home hardware with a finite pool of CPU, RAM, storage, and network capacity, unrestricted use by one customer can affect everyone else on the same node. This policy sets out what fair use looks like and what happens when it isn't met.
1. Resource limits
Your plan allocates a specific amount of RAM, vCPU, and storage. These are hard limits enforced by Pterodactyl — your container cannot exceed them. The fair use element applies to sustained usage patterns within those limits.
| Resource | Fair use threshold | Action |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Sustained use above 90% of your allocated vCPU for more than 30 minutes continuously | Contact via Discord. May indicate a misconfigured server or a runaway process — happy to help diagnose. |
| RAM | Container hard-limited to your plan allocation | Container restarts if it hits the limit. Consider upgrading if this happens regularly. |
| Storage | Within your plan's allocated NVMe. Do not store files unrelated to your server (movies, archives, backups of other services). | Files exceeding allocated storage or unrelated to the hosted service may be removed with notice. |
| Network | No hard data cap, but sustained traffic that impacts other customers or saturates the uplink is not acceptable. | Investigation and potential throttling or suspension depending on cause. |
| Databases | See section 2 below | See section 2 below |
2. Databases
Each plan includes a set number of MySQL databases hosted on the Pterodactyl panel's shared database server. The following rules apply to all databases:
// what's included
- Databases up to the number listed on your plan
- Reasonable storage per database — see limits below
- Standard MySQL 8 access via the panel or external client using your provided credentials
// size limits
| Plan tier | Max databases | Max size per database | Max total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proxy (1GB) | 5 | 500 MB | 2.5 GB |
| Dirt (3GB) | 2 | 500 MB | 1 GB |
| Cobblestone (4GB) | 2 | 500 MB | 1 GB |
| Iron (6GB) | 4 | 1 GB | 4 GB |
| Gold (8GB) | 4 | 1 GB | 4 GB |
| Diamond (10GB) | 5 | 1 GB | 5 GB |
| Netherite (12GB) | 5 | 1 GB | 5 GB |
| Bedrock (16GB) | 5 | 2 GB | 10 GB |
| Bot — Small (512MB) | 1 | 200 MB | 200 MB |
| Bot — Medium (1GB) | 1 | 500 MB | 500 MB |
| Bot — Large (2GB) | 2 | 500 MB | 1 GB |
If your database grows beyond these limits, you will be contacted to either reduce its size or upgrade your plan. Databases are not deleted without prior notice except in cases of clear abuse.
// what databases may be used for
| Use | |
|---|---|
| Minecraft plugin data (LuckPerms, EssentialsX, etc.) | Allowed |
| Discord bot data (on bot or Minecraft plans) | Allowed |
| Web application data for a site you run on the same server | Ask first |
| Storing data for services not hosted with CyTide | Not allowed |
| General-purpose remote database server (external apps pointing here) | Not allowed |
| Cryptocurrency or mining data | Not allowed |
| Storing unrelated files or binary data as BLOBs | Not allowed |
| Online map tile images (Dynmap, BlueMap, Overviewer, etc.) | Not allowed — store on container NVMe |
Online map plugins (Dynmap, BlueMap, Overviewed, Overviewer): map tile images must be stored on your container's NVMe, not in the database. These plugins support file-based tile storage — use that option. Storing map tiles in MySQL will rapidly exhaust your database allocation and degrade shared database performance for all customers.
Databases are shared infrastructure. A single misbehaving database can slow every other customer's server. If your database is causing noticeable load, we may throttle its connections or request you optimise it before taking further action.
// bot hosting and databases
Bot plans include MySQL database access. The Small plan includes one database up to 200 MB, Medium includes one up to 500 MB, and Large includes two up to 500 MB each. SQLite stored within your container's NVMe is also supported and does not count toward your database allocation.
3. Prohibited uses
Regardless of available resources, the following are not permitted on any CyTide service:
- Cryptocurrency mining or any proof-of-work computation
- Running proxies, VPNs, or traffic relay services for third parties
- Storing or serving files unrelated to the hosted service (media libraries, personal backups, torrent data)
- Running port scanners, network enumeration tools, or vulnerability scanners against external targets
- Any activity that generates sustained outbound traffic spikes affecting the shared uplink
- Attempting to access or interfere with another customer's container or database
4. What happens if you exceed fair use
CyTide is a small operation and the first response is almost always a conversation, not a suspension. In order:
- First contact: A message in Discord or via email explaining what was observed and asking you to resolve it.
- If unresolved: Temporary throttling of the affected resource while the issue is investigated.
- If persistent or intentional: Service suspension with notice, followed by termination if not resolved within 48 hours.
- Serious or deliberate abuse (mining, attacking external targets, deliberate resource exhaustion): immediate termination without notice, no refund.
The goal is to keep things running well for everyone, not to catch people out. If you're doing something unusual and want to check if it's okay, just ask in Discord before you start.
5. Reporting abuse
If you believe another customer is misusing shared resources in a way that affects your service, report it in Discord. Include as much detail as you can — timestamps, what you observed, which server was affected. Reports are handled confidentially.
6. Changes to this policy
This policy may be updated from time to time. Changes will be announced in the Discord server at least 7 days before taking effect. Continued use of services after that date constitutes acceptance.
7. Contact
Questions about this policy: Discord or support@cytidehosting.net.