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Terraria
Sandbox · 2D Adventure · Re-Logic
Terraria serverconfig.txt Explained: All Options at a Glance
Terraria's serverconfig.txt fully explained: difficulty values, maxplayers, port 7777, Journey permissions, seeds and world size — with a complete table.
Last updated July 20, 2026 · RespawnHost
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What is serverconfig.txt?
serverconfig.txt is the central configuration file of the Terraria dedicated server: world, difficulty, player count, port, password — it all lives here. At RespawnHost you manage the most important values comfortably via the startup variables in the panel; the file itself is always reachable through the file manager. Changes take effect after a server restart.
All serverconfig.txt options
| Option | Values | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
world | path | Which world file is loaded |
autocreate | 1 / 2 / 3 | Auto-creates a world: 1 = small, 2 = medium, 3 = large |
worldname | text | Name of the auto-created world |
seed | text | Seed for world generation (secret seeds included) |
difficulty | 0–3 | 0 = Classic, 1 = Expert, 2 = Master, 3 = Journey |
maxplayers | 1–255 | Maximum player count (default 16) |
port | number | Server port (default 7777, TCP) |
password | text | Server password (empty = open) |
motd | text | Welcome message on join |
secure | 0 / 1 | Anti-cheat protection on/off |
npcstream | number | NPC stream rate (default 60) |
priority | 0–5 | Process priority of the server |
language | e.g. en-US | Language of server output |
upnp | 0 / 1 | UPnP port forwarding (irrelevant on rented servers) |
banlist | file | Path to the ban list (default banlist.txt) |
journeypermission_* | 0–2 | Journey Mode permissions (see below) |
Warning
The difficulty value only applies to newly created worlds (via autocreate). An existing world keeps its difficulty — Journey worlds and Classic/Expert/Master worlds cannot be mixed.
Which difficulty value should I pick?
- 0 — Classic: The normal mode, ideal for mixed groups and beginners.
- 1 — Expert: Tougher enemies, better loot tables, new boss mechanics.
- 2 — Master: The hardest tier — for experienced teams.
- 3 — Journey: Creative mode with item duplication, god mode & co. — what players may use is controlled via the Journey permissions.
Journey permissions: who may do what?
For Journey worlds, the journeypermission_* entries control which Journey powers regular players may use. Each entry accepts 0–2:
| Value | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 0 | Locked for everyone |
| 1 | Hosts/permitted players only |
| 2 | Unlocked for everyone |
There is one entry per Journey power (time, weather, spawn rate, god mode etc.) — all following the pattern journeypermission_<power>.
Frequently asked questions
How do I change the maximum player count?
Set maxplayers to a value between 1 and 255 (default 16) and restart the server. Keep in mind: more players means more load — see the RAM guide.
Can I change the difficulty of an existing world?
Not via serverconfig.txt — difficulty only applies during world generation. For a different difficulty you need a new world.
How do I protect my server with a password?
Enter a password under password and restart. Players are asked for it on join.
What does the secure option do?
secure 1 (default) enables the built-in anti-cheat. For serious permission management, TShock is still the better choice — see the admin guide.
Related guides
- Rent a Terraria Server — from €4/month, online in under 90 seconds
- Creating and setting up a server — from ordering to your first join
- Admin commands & TShock — console commands and permissions
- How much RAM do I need? — recommendations by world size and mods