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The safe setup sequence
A reliable installation follows this order:
- Create a separate server data directory. Keep multiplayer worlds,
serverconfig.json, logs and server-specific settings out of your single-player data folder. - Install the server files and start the process once so it creates its initial configuration.
- Secure the instance before inviting anyone: enable the whitelist, set a password if appropriate, and hide the public listing when the server is private.
- Use the server console or startup script to run
/op <username>for the first administrator. A normal new player has thesuplayerrole and cannot grant privileges. - Create limited moderator roles with only the privileges they need. Check the privileges actually installed on your build and by your mods.
- Use
/helpand the in-game Command Handbook (.chb) whenever a command behaves differently from an example below.
Text in angle brackets is a placeholder. Type the value without the brackets; for example, type /op Alex, not /op <username>.
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Plan the server’s files and account first
Why a separate data path matters
The server stores worlds and configuration in its data path. A dedicated path prevents a multiplayer save from being mixed with single-player saves and makes backups, migrations and permissions easier to manage. The official dedicated-server guide uses a directory such as VSserverData for this purpose and places serverconfig.json inside that directory.
Do not treat the executable’s directory as the data directory by accident. Decide where the data should live before the first long-running world is created, then pass that location explicitly at launch.
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Windows or same-machine hosting
For a Windows host, create a folder such as VSserverData outside the single-player save location. Launch the server executable with a data-path argument:
VintageStoryServer.exe --dataPath="C:PathToVSserverData"Use your real path in place of the example. After the first launch, confirm that serverconfig.json appears in the specified directory. Keep that directory in your backup plan; copying only the executable does not copy your worlds or settings.
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Linux: use a dedicated, non-root account
The dedicated-server guide strongly recommends never running the server as root. Create a separate account named, for example, vintagestory, and give it ownership of the server and data directories. This limits the damage a compromised mod, script or server process could cause elsewhere on the machine.
The current runtime requirement depends on the Vintage Story version:
| Vintage Story version | Required .NET runtime in the guide |
|---|---|
| 1.22.0 and newer | .NET 10 |
| 1.21.0 and newer, but before 1.22.0 | .NET 8 |
| Versions older than 1.21.0 | .NET 7 |
Install the runtime that matches the release you are actually running; do not assume that the newest runtime is valid for every older server build.
Download and lay out the Linux files
- Download the Linux tar.gz Archive (server only) for your Vintage Story version.
- As the
vintagestoryuser, extract the archive into/home/vintagestory/server. - Create
/home/vintagestory/datafor worlds and configuration. - Make the launcher executable:
chmod +x /home/vintagestory/server/server.shThe guide’s launcher variables are:
USERNAME=vintagestory
VSPATH=/home/vintagestory/server
DATAPATH=/home/vintagestory/dataSet those values in the launcher’s configuration as directed by the release package. Keeping VSPATH and DATAPATH separate makes it possible to replace server binaries without disturbing worlds.
Start the Linux service and open the network port
Firewall and router requirements
When a host firewall is enabled, allow port 42420 for both TCP and UDP. If players connect from outside your home network, the router must also forward that port to the server machine. A firewall rule that permits only TCP can produce confusing partial connectivity, so configure both protocols.
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Launcher commands
The supplied server.sh script supports these operations:
| Command | Purpose |
|---|---|
start |
Start the server. |
stop |
Stop it cleanly. |
status |
Check whether it is running. |
update |
Run the package’s update workflow. |
restart |
Stop and start the service. |
setup |
Run the launcher setup routine. |
command |
Send a server command without opening an interactive console. |
Start it with:
/home/vintagestory/server/server.sh startTo bootstrap an account from a shell, the guide shows:
/home/vintagestory/server/server.sh command "/whitelist add Alex"
/home/vintagestory/server/server.sh command "/op Alex"Replace Alex with the player name. The first line uses the launcher’s whitelist command syntax; once connected in game, the player command form documented for current servers is /player Alex whitelist on. If one form is rejected, run /help on that build rather than guessing a renamed subcommand.
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Secure the server before inviting players
Whitelist behavior and private listings
Dedicated servers use whitelist mode by default from Vintage Story 1.20. Older instructions that tell you to set OnlyWhitelisted are obsolete for that configuration model. The current setting is WhitelistMode, with default, off and on values.
To add a player while operating in game or in an authorized console, use:
/player <username> whitelist onTo remove that player from the whitelist:
/player <username> whitelist offYou can make the server less discoverable and require a password through the server configuration commands:
/serverconfig advertise false
/serverconfig password <password>
/serverconfig WhitelistMode onThe documented password form contains no spaces. Use a strong, unique password and share it only through a channel you trust. advertise false hides the listing; it does not replace a whitelist or password.
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Configuration-file changes require a relaunch
The guide states that changes written to serverconfig.json do not take effect until the server is relaunched. Before stopping, save the world with:
/autosavenowThen stop and relaunch:
/stopUse the appropriate Windows executable or Linux launcher to start it again. Individual whitelist and role commands generally apply without a full restart, but a file edit such as changing DefaultRoleCode requires the relaunch sequence.
Bootstrap the first administrator
Why the console is often required
A newly connected player normally receives the suplayer role. That role is intentionally unable to manage privileges, so a player cannot reliably promote themselves from chat. Run the first elevation from the server console, a startup script, or another already-authorized administrator:
/op <username>The command assigns the administrative role in the command reference. Confirm the result by reconnecting or checking the player’s role with the available /player information commands. If /op is unavailable in your build, consult /help; command names can be changed by version or mods.
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The corresponding shortcut in the command reference is:
/deop <username>For a moderator who only needs a few capabilities, remove the administrative role and use a restricted role instead of leaving permanent full access.
Roles and privileges: give moderators only what they need
Inspect what this installation supports
Privilege names and availability can vary between server versions and installed mods. Start with:
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/list privilegesCommon names listed in the command reference include build, use, chat, attack, controlserver, gamemode, time, teleport and grantrevoke. Treat that list as examples, not a guarantee that every name exists on your server.
Grant a privilege to one player
Use the player-level form when the permission should apply to one person:
/player <username> privilege grant <privilege>
/player <username> privilege revoke <privilege>For example, a support moderator might receive chat and teleport but not controlserver or grantrevoke. The exact combination should follow the duties you have assigned, not a copied “moderator” recipe.
Create or adjust a role
Role-level grants apply to everyone assigned that role:
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/role <rolecode> privilege grant <privilege>
/role <rolecode> privilege revoke <privilege>Assign a role to a player with:
/player <username> role <rolecode>Keep a written record of why each privilege is present. In particular, grantrevoke and controlserver can expand a moderator’s ability far beyond routine chat or player support.
Use a restricted visitor role when appropriate
To make newly joining players visitors who can look around and chat but cannot use, place or break anything, set:
DefaultRoleCode=suvisitorThe guide does not currently document a command for changing this default role code. Edit serverconfig.json in the server data path, save it, run /autosavenow, stop the server and relaunch it. For an individual player, the documented command is:
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/player <username> role suplayerChoose the role deliberately: changing a player to suplayer gives the normal player role, while changing the default in the file affects future joins.
Essential commands for daily administration
The following commands cover the common operations. Run /help on the running server if a subcommand or argument differs.
| Task | Command | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Show available commands | /help |
Use this as the authority for the installed build. |
| List connected clients | /list clients |
Useful before a restart or incident. |
| List banned players | /list banned |
Review and audit bans. |
| List players by role | /list role |
Check who has elevated access. |
| List installed privileges | /list privileges |
Names can change with versions and mods. |
| Remove a player temporarily | /kick <name> [reason] |
Reason is optional; do not type the square brackets. |
| Ban a player | /ban <name> [reason] |
Use a clear reason for later review. |
| Lift a ban | /unban <name> |
Then handle whitelist status separately if needed. |
| Send a server-wide message | /announce <message> |
Useful for maintenance notices. |
| Save immediately | /autosavenow |
Run before planned shutdowns or file edits. |
| Stop cleanly | /stop |
Use the launcher to start again. |
| Change player limit | /serverconfig maxclients <number> |
Restart if the change is not applied live on your build. |
| Set or change password | /serverconfig password <password> |
The documented password has no spaces. |
| Show or hide listing | /serverconfig advertise <true|false> |
Hiding the listing is not a replacement for access control. |
| Set whitelist mode | /serverconfig WhitelistMode <default|off|on> |
Use the current key; OnlyWhitelisted is obsolete from 1.20. |
Why a command may fail
The syntax changed
The public command page says its long list was last verified for version 1.15. It is useful for discovering concepts, but it is not a version-neutral contract. The in-game Command Handbook (.chb) and the running server’s /help output reflect your installed build. Mods can add commands or alter available arguments.
You typed explanatory brackets
Square and angle brackets in documentation indicate optional arguments or placeholders. They are not literal characters. Use /kick Alex griefing, not /kick <Alex> [griefing].
You are using the wrong execution context
A player with suplayer cannot grant privileges. Run the first /op from the server console or Linux launcher, then reconnect with the elevated account. If a command works in the console but not in chat, verify the player’s role and privilege rather than repeating the command.
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Check that you edited the serverconfig.json inside the active data path, not a similarly named file beside the executable. Save the world, stop the process and relaunch; file edits are not live until restart.
The server is unreachable
- Confirm the process is running with
server.sh statuson Linux. - Check that port 42420 is allowed for both TCP and UDP.
- Verify router forwarding points to the correct host if players connect from the internet.
- Confirm that the server is not hidden intentionally with
advertise false. - Check whitelist mode and the player’s whitelist state before changing network settings.
Self-hosting or managed hosting?
Self-hosting gives you direct control over the operating system, firewall, console, serverconfig.json, update timing and mod files. It also makes you responsible for patching the runtime, backups, port forwarding, monitoring and recovery. A managed provider may simplify those operations, but the practical questions remain the same: can you access the console and configuration, how are backups restored, how are mods and updates handled, what player capacity is included, where is the machine located, and what support is available? Compare those items and the total monthly cost for your expected player count; the setup instructions above establish the self-hosting work but do not establish provider prices or performance.
Quick Recap
Maintenance checklist
- Keep the server under a dedicated non-root Linux account.
- Back up the entire data directory, including worlds and
serverconfig.json, before updates or major configuration changes. - Run
/list roleand review elevated accounts periodically. - Use
/list privilegesafter adding or updating mods. - Save with
/autosavenowbefore every planned stop. - After an update, test
/help, whitelist operations, role assignment and any moderator-specific commands before inviting players back. - Document the installed Vintage Story version and required .NET runtime so a future administrator does not start the server with the wrong dependency.
Version boundaries to remember
- The dedicated-server guide was revised in January 2026.
- Whitelist defaults and the obsolete
OnlyWhitelistedsetting changed at the 1.20 boundary. - Linux runtime guidance is .NET 10 for 1.22.0 and newer, .NET 8 for 1.21.0 and newer before 1.22.0, and .NET 7 for earlier releases.
- The broad public command list was last verified for 1.15, so use the running server’s help and handbook for authoritative syntax.
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