Project Zomboid Server Configuration (servertest.ini)

Project Zomboid Server Configuration

The main server config is ~/.local/share/ProjectZomboid/Server/servertest.ini. The filename matches the -servername argument used at launch.

Always stop the server before editing config files. Changes do not take effect until the next restart.

Essential Settings

# Server identity
PublicName=My PZ Server
PublicDescription=A Project Zomboid survival server
Password=                        # Join password — leave blank for public
MaxPlayers=32
PauseEmpty=true                  # Pause when no players are online

# Ports
DefaultPort=16261

# Admin
AdminUsername=admin              # Set at first-launch prompt

PvP and Safety Settings

PVP=true                         # Enable/disable player vs player
SafeHouse=true                   # Allow players to claim safehouses
SafeHouseDaySurvivedTreshold=0   # Days survived required to claim a safehouse
AllowDestructionBySledgehammer=true
SteamScoreboard=true             # Show Steam names in scoreboard

Mod Loading

Mods are loaded via two settings that must match:

# Steam Workshop mod IDs (numeric, semicolon-separated)
WorkshopItems=2392709985;1961498919

# Mod folder names (from each mod's metadata, semicolon-separated)
Mods=BetterSorts;Brita_Weapon_Pack

Both entries are required for each mod. The Workshop ID downloads the mod; the Mod name activates it.

Map Configuration

Map=Muldraugh, KY;Riverside, KY   # Semicolon-separated list of active map cells

Custom maps add a new entry to this list. The base map is Muldraugh, KY.

Anti-Cheat Options

AntiCheatProtectionType1=true    # Inventory position checks
AntiCheatProtectionType2=true    # Movement speed checks
AntiCheatProtectionType3=true    # Projectile checks
# Additional types up to Type24 available

Sandbox Variables

Sandbox settings (zombie count, respawn, loot abundance, etc.) are stored in a separate file:

~/.local/share/ProjectZomboid/Server/servertest_SandboxVars.lua

This file is edited separately and cannot be applied mid-session — a full world reset is required to change most sandbox options after the world is created.

Key sandbox variables:

Applying Changes

# Stop the server
^C  (or kill the process)

# Edit the config
nano ~/.local/share/ProjectZomboid/Server/servertest.ini

# Restart
./start-server.sh -servername servertest