How to Set Up a The Forest Dedicated Server
Step-by-step guide to downloading and launching a The Forest dedicated server using SteamCMD, generating your Server.cfg, and configuring a GSLT token for persistent browser listing.
The Forest Dedicated Server Setup
The Forest uses a standalone dedicated server distributed through Steam. The server AppID is 556450 and supports anonymous SteamCMD login — no purchased copy required to host.
Step 1: Install SteamCMD
Download SteamCMD from the Valve developer wiki and extract it to a folder such as C:\SteamCMD\.
Step 2: Download the Server Files
Open a command prompt in your SteamCMD directory and run:
steamcmd.exe +login anonymous +force_install_dir "C:\TheForestServer" +app_update 556450 validate +quit
SteamCMD logs in anonymously, downloads the server files to C:\TheForestServer, and exits. Re-run this command any time you need to update the server.
Step 3: First Launch — Generate Server.cfg
Do not pre-create Server.cfg. The server generates it automatically on first run. Launch the server once with no configuration:
cd C:\TheForestServer
TheForestDedicatedServer.exe -batchmode -nographics -nosteamclient
Wait for the server to finish initializing (you'll see log output), then shut it down with Ctrl+C. The file is now generated at:
C:\Users\%username%\AppData\LocalLow\SKS\TheForest\ds\server.cfg
Step 4: Configure a GSLT Token (Optional but Recommended)
Without a Game Server Login Token your server shows as "unnamed" in the Steam server browser and may have reduced visibility. To generate one:
- Go to steamcommunity.com/dev/managegameservers
- Log in with the Steam account that owns The Forest (App ID 242760)
- Create a new token for App ID 242760
- Copy the token string
Open server.cfg and set:
serverSteamAccount YOUR_GSLT_TOKEN_HERE
Step 5: Launch the Server Normally
TheForestDedicatedServer.exe -batchmode -nographics -nosteamclient
| Flag | Purpose |
|---|---|
-batchmode |
Run without a display window |
-nographics |
Disable graphics initialization |
-nosteamclient |
Don't launch the Steam overlay client |
The server will load your server.cfg, connect to Steam, and appear in the server browser within a minute or two.
Notes
- Anonymous login works for AppID 556450 — you do not need to own the game on that Steam account.
- Server.cfg auto-generates on first run. Never manually create it before the first launch, or it may not contain all required keys.
- Re-run the SteamCMD command periodically to keep the server updated.