What Linux should I use for a small Minecraft server on an old Chromebook?

I’d start with a minimal Debian install if the Chromebook can boot it. It’s a practical choice because there’s plenty of documentation, and you can install only what you need rather than adding a desktop environment. Then install the Java version required by your Paper release and follow Paper’s setup instructions.

Before changing the Chromebook, check its exact model and whether it allows installing another operating system. School-managed devices can have restrictions, and a lightweight distro can’t get around those.

With 4 GB of RAM and two CPU threads, keep expectations modest. A small, lightly used world may be workable, but extra players, view distance, and other programs will all compete for limited resources. Start with conservative server settings, check how much memory is actually available, and make a backup before experimenting.

I wouldn’t pick an unusually tiny distro just because it sounds lighter. Ease of setup and compatibility matter too, especially when this is your first Linux project.

One thing to figure out early is how your friends will connect. Being able to run the server locally doesn’t automatically make it reachable from outside your home network. The Chromebook’s Linux environment and your network setup can affect that, so test connectivity before spending ages tuning the server.

And yes, use basic security even with a private group. Keep the system and server updated, allow only the network access the server needs, and don’t expose admin controls to the public internet. A whitelist is useful, but it isn’t a replacement for those steps.