Palworld 1.0 Server Guide: Setup, Settings and Updates

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Godlike.Host offers hosted Palworld servers with its own game panel, SFTP access and free DDoS protection, if you would rather not host it yourself.

For a reliable Palworld 1.0 dedicated server, use a 64-bit Windows or Linux host with at least four recommended CPU cores, 16GB RAM, fast SSD storage and UDP port 8211 forwarded to the machine. Install the Dedicated Server with SteamCMD app 2394010 (or Steam’s Dedicated Server tool), launch it once, copy the default settings template into the generated saved-config folder, then edit the copied PalWorldSettings.ini. Back up the world and configuration before every update.

What you need before installing

Palworld’s dedicated server is a separate server application. It can run on a Windows 64-bit or Linux 64-bit host, either on hardware you control or on a managed game-server service. The host must stay online whenever players need access.

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Open the host firewall for the same UDP port that you forward on the router. If you choose another listening port, forward that port instead and give players the matching address.

Choose an installation method

Steam graphical installation

On a Windows machine with Steam, open Steam’s Library, enable the tools filter, install the Palworld Dedicated Server tool, and use its installation folder for the launch steps below. This is the simplest approach for a one-off server because Steam handles downloading and basic updates through its interface.

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SteamCMD installation

SteamCMD is the better fit for a headless machine, Linux, scheduled maintenance, or scripted deployment. The official application ID is 2394010. Run:

steamcmd +login anonymous +app_update 2394010 validate +quit

The command downloads or updates the dedicated-server files and validates them. Run it again during a maintenance window whenever you need the current server build.

Linux with SteamCMD

Install SteamCMD using your distribution’s package or the official SteamCMD package, then run the same update command. The usual Palworld server directory is:

~/Steam/steamapps/common/PalServer

Change to that directory and start the server with:

./PalServer.sh

Keep the process under a service manager such as systemd or a terminal multiplexer in production so it can restart after maintenance or a host reboot. The exact service definition depends on your Linux distribution and account layout.

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Docker

Pocketpair publishes an official Docker image, but Docker Desktop is deprecated from a storage-I/O perspective because its extra storage layer increases the risk of save corruption and malfunction. If you use containers, keep the save and configuration directories on reliable persistent storage, test backup restoration, and avoid treating a container image as a substitute for a world backup.

Start the server for the first time

Windows

1. Open a Command Prompt or PowerShell window.
2. Change to the installation directory, normally steamappscommonPalServer.
3. Run PalServer.exe.
4. Wait until the process creates its PalSavedConfigWindowsServer directory and save data.
5. Stop the process cleanly before changing configuration.

Linux

1. Open a shell as the account that owns the server files.
2. Change to ~/Steam/steamapps/common/PalServer (or your chosen install path).
3. Run ./PalServer.sh.
4. Allow the first launch to create Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer and the initial world.
5. Stop the process before editing files.

Do not edit settings while the server is writing them. A clean stop, an edit, and a restart gives you a known point at which to verify that a change loaded.

Find and edit PalWorldSettings.ini

The configuration directories are created only after the server has started once. Pocketpair’s template must be copied into the server-specific saved-config directory:

Edit the copied PalWorldSettings.ini, preserve a known-good copy, save the file, and restart the server. The template itself is not the live configuration. Pocketpair states: “Note that editing DefaultPalWorldSettings.ini will not affect the changes.”

Use a text editor that does not add rich-text formatting. Keep one backup of the original copied file and another backup of each tested revision so a bad setting can be removed without reconstructing the file.

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Set launch arguments deliberately

Launch arguments control server process behavior and a few values that are easier to set at startup than in the INI file. Add them to the executable shortcut, shell command, service definition or container entry point used to start the server.

Pocketpair’s version 1.0 note says leaving -useperfthreads -NoAsyncLoadingThread -UseMultithreadForDS unset may improve performance. Treat that as a benchmarkable option, not a universal optimization: change one thing, observe CPU time, memory use, tick behavior and player experience, and retain the previous launch command until the result is clear.

Settings to decide in PalWorldSettings.ini

Access and identity

• ServerName controls the name players see.
• ServerDescription explains the rules, region or schedule.
• ServerPassword restricts player access.
• AdminPassword protects administrative commands; use a separate, strong value rather than reusing the player password.
• ServerPlayerMaxNum defines the configured player ceiling. Keep it consistent with the capacity you advertise and the limit set at launch.

Crossplay

In the 1.0.4 reference, CrossplayPlatforms defaults to Steam, Xbox, PS5 and Mac. Leave that broad default when your community uses multiple platforms. Restrict the list only when you have a specific compatibility, moderation or community requirement; a restriction prevents affected platforms from joining.

Administration and observability

• Use RCONEnabled and RCONPort when remote administration through RCON is required.
• Use RESTAPIEnabled and RESTAPIPort only when an integration needs the REST interface.
• Decide whether join and leave messages should be shown to players.
• Select text or JSON logging to match how you inspect and retain logs.

Do not expose RCON or REST ports directly to the public internet without firewall rules and an access plan. A service that is not needed should remain disabled.

Backups and recovery

bIsUseBackupSaveData creates a backup directory for save data, but it also increases disk activity. When enabled, Pocketpair documents this cadence: five save data copies per 30 seconds, six per 10 minutes, 12 per hour and seven per day. Keep enough disk space for that history and monitor write load, especially on a small or shared host.

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Built-in copies are not a complete disaster-recovery plan. Periodically stop the server or use a consistent-save procedure, copy the entire save directory and configuration to separate storage, and retain at least one copy that the server cannot overwrite.

Gameplay and progression

Set the rules your group actually wants before inviting players. Relevant controls include PvP, death penalty, capture and experience rates, Pal spawn rate, egg hatching time, fast travel, hardcore mode, guild size and building limits. Explain unusual values in the server description so new players are not surprised.

Performance and world scale

Base limits, workers per base, dropped-item physics and Pal replication distance affect simulation cost. Increasing base limits or worker-Pal counts raises processing load; higher replication distance can increase network and CPU work. Raise one limit at a time and watch memory, CPU and save times before increasing another.

Connect players

Direct dedicated-server connection

1. Confirm the server is running and listening on the selected UDP port.
2. Forward that UDP port from the router to the host’s private IP address.
3. Allow the executable or port through the host firewall.
4. Give players the public IP address and port.
5. Have them enter the address and port in the direct dedicated-server connection field below the server list.

Players outside your home network must use the public address. Players on the same LAN may need the host’s private address, depending on router loopback support.

Community-server listing

1. Start the server with -publiclobby.
2. Set -publicip and -publicport to the address and advertised port players should use.
3. Ensure the router and firewall permit the actual listening port set by -port.
4. In Palworld, select Community server, search for the configured name and select it.

If the listing is missing, check the public address and advertised port first. An advertised port is not automatically the listening port.

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Update safely with SteamCMD

Schedule updates while players are offline. A server and client on incompatible builds can prevent connections even when networking is configured correctly.

1. Announce a maintenance window and stop new players from joining.
2. Stop the Palworld server cleanly.
3. Copy the save directory, PalWorldSettings.ini, launch command and any service files to separate recovery storage.
4. From the SteamCMD directory, run steamcmd +login anonymous +app_update 2394010 validate +quit.
5. Start the server with the same launch arguments.
6. Inspect startup logs for errors, confirm the expected world loads and test a connection with a client on the intended build.
7. Keep the pre-update server files and save backup until the updated world has been tested.

Pocketpair’s official documentation does not publish a complete version-pinning or rollback runbook. Do not assume that reinstalling an older executable alone is a safe rollback: preserve an independent copy of the previous server files and its matching save before patching.

Troubleshoot the common failures

The server will not start or crashes with out-of-memory errors

• Check that the host is 64-bit and has 16GB RAM available; 8GB is bootable but carries higher out-of-memory risk.
• Close unrelated applications and inspect logs for allocation failures.
• Reduce player, base, worker and replication limits before adding more hardware.
• Move the save directory to a faster SSD if storage stalls or corruption warnings appear.

Players cannot connect directly

• Verify the server is listening on the same port you forwarded.
• Confirm the router forwards UDP, not only TCP, to the correct private IP.
• Check the host firewall and any upstream modem or carrier-grade NAT.
• Have remote players use the public IP and port; use a private address only on the same network.
• Confirm client and server builds match after an update.

The community listing is absent

• Confirm -publiclobby is present.
• Check that -publicip is a reachable public address.
• Check -publicport separately from -port; the former advertises, while the latter listens.
• Search by the exact configured server name and allow time for the listing to appear.

INI changes do nothing

• Stop the server before editing.
• Confirm you edited PalWorldSettings.ini, not DefaultPalWorldSettings.ini.
• Verify the WindowsServer or LinuxServer path matches the operating system.
• Restart after saving and inspect logs for parsing errors.

Saves become corrupted or the host performs excessive disk work

• Use an SSD and keep free space for world data and backup copies.
• Review the backup cadence created by bIsUseBackupSaveData and archive older copies elsewhere.
• Avoid Docker Desktop storage setups that add avoidable I/O risk.
• Restore only from a known-good copy after stopping the server; never overwrite a live save while the process is running.

Self-hosting or managed hosting?

Self-hosting gives you direct control over files, launch arguments, RCON, REST API exposure, backups and update timing. You must supply the hardware, networking, monitoring and recovery process. Managed hosting shifts those operational tasks to a provider, but the useful comparison is not a headline price alone.

Whichever model you select, verify current Palworld 1.0 support, geographic location, player limits, backup controls and access to the administration interfaces before committing.

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Operational checklist

• 64-bit Windows or Linux host with four or more CPU cores recommended.
• 16GB RAM target; treat 8GB as a high-risk minimum.
• Fast SSD with free space for saves and backup history.
• UDP listening port forwarded and allowed through the host firewall.
• SteamCMD app 2394010 installed or the Steam Dedicated Server tool selected.
• First launch completed so the saved-config directory exists.
• Default template copied to the operating-system-specific PalWorldSettings.ini.
• Server name, passwords, crossplay, player cap and gameplay rules documented.
• RCON, REST API and game-data API disabled unless required and protected when enabled.
• Independent save and configuration backups created before every update.
• Post-update log review and test connection completed before reopening the server.

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