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Project Zomboid
Zombie Survival · Isometric · The Indie Stone
Project Zomboid Server Settings: servertest.ini Explained
Project Zomboid server settings explained: the key servertest.ini options from PVP to MaxPlayers, adding Workshop mods and what /changeoption actually does.
Last updated July 20, 2026 · RespawnHost
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servertest.ini: the heart of your server configuration
All the basic settings of your Project Zomboid server live in servertest.ini — PVP, password, slots, mods and ports. At RespawnHost you edit it via the file manager in the panel; changes take effect after a server restart. The gameplay rules (zombies, loot, XP) live in the SandboxVars file instead.
Where is servertest.ini located?
| Environment | Path |
|---|---|
| Windows (self-hosted) | %USERPROFILE%\Zomboid\Server\servertest.ini |
| Linux (self-hosted) | ~/Zomboid/Server/servertest.ini |
| RespawnHost | File manager in the panel |
The servertest_SandboxVars.lua for the sandbox settings sits in the same folder.
Which settings matter most?
| Setting | Default | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
PVP | true | Players can hurt each other |
SafetySystem | true | Safety system that lets players protect themselves from PvP |
Open | true | false = only whitelisted players can join |
Password | (empty) | Server password — empty = no password |
MaxPlayers | 16 | Maximum player count (slots) |
Public | false | true = server appears in the public server list |
PublicName | (empty) | Your server’s name in the server list |
Mods | (empty) | Mod IDs, semicolon-separated |
WorkshopItems | (empty) | Numeric Steam Workshop IDs, semicolon-separated |
DefaultPort | 16261 | UDP — the range 16261–16262 is used |
PauseEmpty | — | true = game time pauses while nobody is online |
SaveWorldEveryMinutes | — | Autosave interval in minutes |
Tip
Private server for friends? Set a Password — or use Open=false for a whitelist-only server.
How do you install mods on the server?
Mods need two entries: WorkshopItems (numeric Workshop IDs from the Steam URL) and Mods (mod IDs from each mod’s mod.info). Separate multiple entries with semicolons:
WorkshopItems=1234567890;2345678901
Mods=ExampleModOne;ExampleModTwoLoad order: maps → tiles → frameworks → vehicles → everything else.
Warning
For Build 42, some hosts report a changed syntax with a backslash prefix (Mods=\ModOne). This is community-reported and not officially confirmed — verify on a test server before relying on it. The Indie Stone recommends launching B42 servers without mods anyway.
What does /changeoption do?
The admin command /changeoption lets you change server options at runtime — but the change is not persistent. Permanent changes belong in servertest.ini, followed by a restart. How to become admin is covered in the admin commands guide.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to restart the server after changes?
Yes — servertest.ini is read at startup. /changeoption works live but is volatile.
How do I make my server private?
Set a Password or use Open=false for a whitelist server. With Public=false it also won’t show up in the server list.
Which port needs to be open?
DefaultPort=16261 (UDP) — the range 16261–16262 is used. At RespawnHost this is already set up.
Where do I configure zombies, loot and XP?
Not in servertest.ini — that’s what servertest_SandboxVars.lua is for, explained in the sandbox settings guide.
Related guides
- Rent a Project Zomboid Server — fixed package or pay-per-use
- Creating a Build 42 server — setup at RespawnHost & self-hosted
- Sandbox settings — zombies, loot & XP
- Admin commands — setaccesslevel & more