How to Host a Project Zomboid Server: A Comprehensive Guide for Devs

Are you interested in hosting your own Project Zomboid server? Whether you want to play with your friends or create a public server for others to join, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get started.

Before You Begin

Before diving into the setup process, there are a few things you should consider:

Hardware Requirements

Running a Project Zomboid server requires a decent amount of hardware resources. Here are the minimum requirements:

Component	Minimum
CPU	2 GHz dual-core
RAM	4 GB
Storage	25 GB
Network	10 Mbps upload speed

Operating System

Project Zomboid servers can be run on Windows or Linux. We recommend using a Linux-based system, as it tends to be more stable and secure. Ubuntu Server is a popular choice.

Setting Up the Server

Now that you have an idea of the requirements, let’s walk through the process of setting up your Project Zomboid server.

Step 1: Installing SteamCMD

SteamCMD is a command-line tool that allows you to install and update Steam games. You will need to download and install SteamCMD to install Project Zomboid.

To install SteamCMD on Ubuntu, run the following command:

sudo apt-get install steamcmd

Step 2: Creating a Steam Account

If you don’t already have a Steam account, you’ll need to create one. Sign up for a Steam account at https://store.steampowered.com/join/.

Step 3: Downloading the Server Files

Once SteamCMD is installed and you’re signed into your Steam account, you can download the Project Zomboid server files. Run the following command:

steamcmd +login <username> <password> +force_install_dir <path> +app_update 108600 validate +quit

Replace <username> and <password> with your Steam account information, and <path> with the directory where you want to install the server files.

Step 4: Configuring the Server

Now that the server files are downloaded, you need to configure the server. Navigate to the directory where the server files are located and open the server.ini file with a text editor.

Here are some key settings to configure:

Game port and query port

These ports allow players to connect to the server and query its status. By default, the game port is 16261 and the query port is 16262. You can change them if necessary.

Max players

This determines the maximum number of players allowed on the server at one time.

Server options

There are many other options you can configure here, such as the server name, password, and difficulty settings. Refer to the Project Zomboid Wiki for a full list of options.

Step 5: Starting the Server

Once the server is configured, you can start it by running the following command:

./start-server.sh

The server will start up and you should see output in the console. You can now connect to the server using the IP address of your server and the game port you configured.

FAQ

How do I add mods to my server?

You can add mods to your server by placing them in the mods folder in the server directory. Make sure the mod is compatible with the version of Project Zomboid you are running.

How do I back up my server?

To back up your server files, simply copy the entire server directory to another location. You can also use a backup tool such as rsync to automate the process.

How do I update my server?

To update your server, run the following command:

steamcmd +login <username> <password> +force_install_dir <path> +app_update 108600 validate +quit

Make sure to replace <username> and <password> with your Steam account information, and <path> with the directory where your server files are located.

Can I run multiple servers on the same machine?

Yes, you can run multiple Project Zomboid servers on the same machine by using different ports and directory paths for each server.

What are the system requirements for playing Project Zomboid?

Here are the minimum system requirements to play Project Zomboid:

Component	Minimum
CPU	Intel 2.77 GHz Dual Core
RAM	2 GB
Storage	4 GB
GPU	512 MB RAM

Conclusion

Hosting your own Project Zomboid server can be a fun and rewarding experience. With this guide, you should now have all the information you need to get started. Good luck!