Guides→Configuration
ConfigurationLaunch-required workflow

Set up your Project Zomboid server

Project Zomboid reads its main options from servertest.ini, its mods from the same file, and its gameplay rules from a separate sandbox file. Set the core options before opening the server to players.

Core server options (servertest.ini)

  1. Set PublicName and PublicDescription for the server browser.
  2. Set Public=true only if you want the server listed publicly.
  3. Set Password for a private server, or leave it empty for none.
  4. Set MaxPlayers to match the plan you bought.
  5. Set PVP=true or false, and PauseEmpty=true to pause the world (and save CPU) when nobody is online.

Add Workshop mods

  1. Add each mod’s Workshop ID to WorkshopItems and its mod ID to Mods — these are two different values and both are required.
  2. Keep the two lists in sync, then restart the server.
ImportantA wrong or missing mod ID is the most common reason a modded PZ server will not start. Check the console for the first missing-mod error rather than changing several things at once.

Gameplay rules live in the sandbox file

Zombie population, loot rarity, XP rates and other gameplay rules are in the sandbox settings (servertest_SandboxVars.lua), separate from servertest.ini. Tune difficulty there rather than in the main config.

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