How to Change Your Project Zomboid Server Settings

Project Zomboid splits its settings across two files. The INI holds the server settings, and a Lua file holds the sandbox rules that decide how hard the world is.

Where the files live

Open Files in the panel and go to:

Zomboid/Server/

You will see a set of files named after your server, which is servertest by default:

• servertest.ini, the server settings.
• servertest_SandboxVars.lua, the sandbox rules.
• servertest_spawnregions.lua, which spawn points are offered.

Stop the server before editing. Project Zomboid rewrites these files on shutdown, so edits made while it runs are lost.

The INI settings people actually change

PublicName=My PlayNHost Server
PublicDescription=Friendly co-op, low zombie count.
Public=true
Password=
PVP=false
PauseEmpty=true
ServerWelcomeMessage=Welcome to the server.
MaxPlayers=16
SafehouseAllowLoot=true
GlobalChat=true
DisplayUserName=true
NoFire=false

• Public=true lists the server in the in-game browser. false still allows direct joins by IP.
• Password empty means no server password. Players still set their own account password.
• PauseEmpty=true freezes the world when nobody is online, which stops food rotting and zombies migrating while you sleep.

Slots

Your plan's slot count is applied through the MAX_PLAYERS variable on your server's Startup Settings page, reachable from the server overview. Raising MaxPlayers in the INI on its own does not add slots. Upgrade the plan in the billing area to run more players.

Sandbox settings, the ones that change the game

Open servertest_SandboxVars.lua. Values are numbers that map to the options in the single player sandbox screen:

Zombies = 3,
Distribution = 1,
DayLength = 3,
StartMonth = 7,
WaterShutModifier = 14,
ElecShutModifier = 14,
LootRespawn = 1,
XpMultiplier = 1.0,

• Zombies is population, where 1 is insane and 4 is normal. Lower number means more zombies, which catches people out.
• WaterShutModifier and ElecShutModifier are in days before the utilities cut out.
• XpMultiplier is a straight multiplier on skill gain.

Apply the changes

1. Save the file.
2. Start the server.
3. Check the console for a Lua error if you edited the sandbox file. A missing comma stops the server loading.

Note that a few sandbox values, such as the starting month and the map itself, only apply to a fresh world.