How to rename or copy a Project Zomboid world

To rename a Project Zomboid world, rename its world folder and its files to the same new name, then set Server Name to it. To keep a spare to test on, copy the whole server or restore a backup into a copy. Changing only Server Name does not rename a world: it starts a new one.

Rename a world

Everything must carry the same name, in letters and digits only.

1. Make a backup: How to back up and restore your Project Zomboid world. Then click Stop.
2. Open Files, then .cache, then Saves, then Multiplayer. Open the menu of the world folder and choose Rename folder. Type the new name.
3. In .cache/Server, rename <old>.ini and <old>_SandboxVars.lua with Rename file, and <old>_spawnregions.lua if it exists, to the new name.
4. In .cache/db, rename <old>.db to <new>.db.
5. Open Settings, then Game Settings, set Server Name to the new name and start the server.
6. Check the Console: server name is "<new>" and the world folder in Loading WorldDictionary:.... See How to check which world your Project Zomboid server loaded.

If the server made a new empty world, a name does not match: Your uploaded Project Zomboid world did not load.

Copy a world to test changes

Try a risky change, a new mod or a preset, on a copy and keep the original safe.

• Copy the server. The panel can make a copy of your whole server that you can switch to and back from: How to make a copy of your server and try a change on it first.
• Use a backup. A backup holds the world, the settings and the accounts. Download it and keep it: How to download your Project Zomboid world to your PC.

Copy a world to another server

Download the world folder, the settings files and the database, and upload them to the other server: How to upload your own Project Zomboid world.