The Forest
Updated May 11, 2026
The Forest Server.cfg Reference
Complete reference for The Forest's Server.cfg file — auto-generated location, all settings with defaults and descriptions, and how to configure your GSLT token.
The Forestserver.cfgconfigurationsettingsGSLTserver config
The Forest Server.cfg Reference
The Forest stores its server configuration in a plain-text file called server.cfg. This file is auto-generated on first launch — do not create it manually before running the server for the first time.
File Location
Windows:
C:\Users\%username%\AppData\LocalLow\SKS\TheForest\ds\server.cfg
Linux:
~/.config/unity3d/SKS/TheForestDedicatedServer/ds/server.cfg
Important: Run the Server Once First
Launch the server with no config, let it initialize, then shut it down. Only after that will server.cfg exist with all keys present. Editing a manually created or incomplete file can cause the server to fail to start.
Complete Settings Reference
| Setting | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
serverName |
The Forest Server |
Display name in the Steam server browser |
serverPassword |
(blank) | Join password — blank = public server |
serverPasswordAdmin |
(blank) | Admin authentication password — blank = no admin access |
serverSteamAccount |
(blank) | GSLT token for persistent Steam listing |
serverIP |
(blank) | Bind IP — blank = all interfaces |
serverSteamPort |
8766 |
Steam communication port |
serverGamePort |
27015 |
Game traffic port |
serverQueryPort |
27016 |
Steam query/browser port |
serverPlayers |
4 |
Maximum concurrent players |
enableVAC |
off |
Valve Anti-Cheat (on/off) |
serverAutoSaveInterval |
30 |
Minutes between automatic saves (minimum 15) |
difficulty |
Normal |
Game difficulty: Peaceful, Normal, Hard, HardSurvival |
initType |
New |
World init: New (fresh) or Continue (load save) |
slot |
1 |
Save slot number (1–5) |
showLogs |
off |
Print detailed logs to console |
serverContact |
(blank) | Contact email shown in server info |
saveFolderPath |
(blank) | Custom save directory — blank = default AppData path |
veganMode |
off |
on = no cannibals or mutants spawn |
vegetarianMode |
off |
on = enemies only active at night |
resetHolesMode |
off |
Reset structure holes when loading a save |
treeRegrowMode |
on |
on = 10% of cut trees regrow when players sleep |
allowBuildingDestruction |
on |
on = enemies can damage and destroy player buildings |
allowEnemiesCreativeMode |
off |
Allow enemies in Creative/Peaceful mode |
allowCheats |
off |
Allow clients to use the debug console |
realisticPlayerDamage |
off |
on = increased damage from falls and other sources |
targetFpsIdle |
5 |
Server FPS when no players are connected |
targetFpsActive |
60 |
Server FPS when players are present |
Example server.cfg
serverName My Forest Server
serverPassword hunter2
serverPasswordAdmin adminpass123
serverSteamAccount XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
serverSteamPort 8766
serverGamePort 27015
serverQueryPort 27016
serverPlayers 8
enableVAC on
serverAutoSaveInterval 30
difficulty Normal
initType Continue
slot 1
showLogs off
treeRegrowMode on
allowBuildingDestruction on
allowCheats off
realisticPlayerDamage off
targetFpsIdle 5
targetFpsActive 60
Notes
- Boolean values use
on/off— nottrue/falseor1/0. serverAutoSaveIntervalhas a minimum effective value of 15 minutes — values lower than 15 are ignored.- If
initTypeis set toContinueand no save exists in the specifiedslot, the server will error. UseNewfor the first launch.
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