7 Days to Die Server Quickstart

A 7 Days to Die server is configured almost entirely through one XML file, and it rewards owners who understand it. This quickstart covers connecting, the settings that shape a world, admin setup, save locations, and wipes. Panel basics are in Access Your Game Server Panel.

Connect#

In game choose Join Game, then either search the browser by name or use Connect to IP with your IP and port (26900 by default; the game also uses the following ports, which the panel allocates). Enter the password if you set one.

serverconfig.xml#

Stop the server, edit serverconfig.xml in the file manager, restart. The most-changed properties:

<property name="ServerName" value="NoBull Networks 7DTD"/>
<property name="ServerPassword" value=""/>
<property name="ServerMaxPlayerCount" value="8"/>
<property name="ServerVisibility" value="2"/>      <!-- 2 public, 1 friends, 0 unlisted -->
<property name="GameWorld" value="Navezgane"/>   <!-- or RWG for a random world -->
<property name="WorldGenSeed" value="nobull"/>
<property name="WorldGenSize" value="6144"/>
<property name="GameName" value="MyGame"/>
<property name="GameDifficulty" value="1"/>
<property name="DayNightLength" value="60"/>
<property name="DayLightLength" value="18"/>
<property name="LandClaimSize" value="41"/>
<property name="EACEnabled" value="true"/>

Many of these are mirrored as variables on the Startup tab; whichever you use, keep to one to avoid confusion. Random world generation happens on first start and can take a while for large sizes; watch the console.

Admins#

Admins are declared in serveradmin.xml (created after the first run, in the save data folder), one line per person with permission level 0 for full rights:

<user platform="Steam" userid="7656119XXXXXXXXXX" name="alex" permission_level="0" />

Admins open the in-game console with F1 (kick, ban, settime, giveself, admin add). The panel Console accepts the same commands without being in game.

Saves and wipes#

Worlds and player data live under Saves/<GameWorld>/<GameName>/. To wipe, stop the server and either delete that folder or change GameName (which starts a fresh save on the same world) or WorldGenSeed (which generates a new RWG world). Take a backup first; players will ask for their old base at least once.

Mods#

Mods go in the Mods/ folder. Server-side XML mods (loot, recipes, spawns) need nothing on the client; mods with new assets require every player to install the same files. Announce the list, and expect to update mods on the same day as game updates.

Performance#

Blood moon hordes and large player counts are the load spikes. Keep MaxSpawnedZombies and MaxSpawnedAnimals reasonable, watch the panel graphs on horde night, and step up the plan if CPU pins; see Upgrade or Downgrade a Plan.