Project Zomboid

Project Zomboid Server Administration & Configuration Guide

Learn how to configure your .ini file, manage sandbox variables, add admins, and use commands on your Project Zomboid server.

This guide explains how to configure and administrate your Project Zomboid server on HypeServ. You’ll learn where server settings and sandbox rules are stored, how to make yourself an admin, and how to use essential console commands.

Project Zomboid configuration is primarily handled by two main files:

<ServerName>.ini: Controls server networking, passwords, player limits, and workshop mods.
<ServerName>_SandboxVars.lua: Controls gameplay rules like zombie population, loot rarity, and day length.

Modifying Server Settings

General server settings apply to the connection and technical behavior of your server.

Where to find the config files

HypeServ sets the default data directory to the serverfiles folder at the root of your server.

Open the Files tab in the HypeServ panel and navigate to:

/serverfiles/Server/

Here you will find your configuration files.

The names of these files depend on the Server Name set in your HypeServ Advanced Settings. By default, this is set to HypeServ. Therefore, your files will be named HypeServ.ini and HypeServ_SandboxVars.lua. If you change your server name, new files with that name will be generated.

Always stop your server before editing these files. If you edit them while the server is running, your changes may be overwritten when the server restarts.

Essential settings in your `.ini` file

Open your .ini file (e.g., HypeServ.ini) to modify how your server functions. Here are the most important values to change:

Setting	Description
`PublicName`	The name of your server as it appears in the in-game server browser.
`PublicDescription`	A short description or MOTD shown when players click your server.
`Password`	Set this if you want to make your server private.
`MaxPlayers`	The maximum number of players allowed online at once (default 32).
`PVP`	Set to `true` to enable player vs player combat, or `false` for PvE only.
`PauseEmpty`	Set to `true` to pause time when no players are online (Highly recommended!).
`GlobalChat`	Set to `true` to allow players to use `/all` to speak to everyone.
`WorkshopItems` & `Mods`	Used for installing Steam Workshop mods.

Essential settings in your `_SandboxVars.lua` file

Open your _SandboxVars.lua file (e.g., HypeServ_SandboxVars.lua) to change the actual gameplay loop and survival difficulty.

Setting	Description
`Zombies`	Controls zombie density. `1` is Insane, `5` is None (Default is `4`).
`DayLength`	How long a 24-hour cycle lasts in real-time (Default `3` = 1 hour).
`StartMonth`	The month the server starts in (`1` = Jan, `7` = July default).
`FoodLoot`	Controls food rarity. `1` is extremely rare, `5` is abundant.
`XpMultiplier`	Multiplies the XP players earn for doing tasks (Default `1.0`).

Server Administration & Commands

While configuration files handle the rules, you need Admin permissions to manage players, spawn items, or trigger events while the game is running.

How to make yourself an Admin

To use in-game commands, you must grant yourself admin privileges via the HypeServ console.

Start your server and join it in-game.
Open the Console tab in the HypeServ panel.
Type the following command (replace YourUsername with your exact in-game character name):

Console

setaccesslevel YourUsername admin

You will see a red "Admin" tag appear above your character's head in-game, and you will now have access to the Admin menu (the admin icon on the left side of your screen).

Other access levels include moderator (can kick/ban), overseer, gm, and observer. To remove admin rights, type setaccesslevel YourUsername none.

Essential Admin Commands

Once you have admin rights, you can use commands directly in the game chat (press T and type them), or execute them directly from the HypeServ Console.

Command	Description
`/servermsg "text"`	Broadcasts a global message to all online players.
`/kickuser "name"`	Kicks a specific player from the server.
`/banuser "name"`	Bans a player by their username.
`/unbanuser "name"`	Removes a ban from a username.
`/teleport "player1" "player2"`	Teleports player 1 to player 2.
`/additem "user" "item"`	Gives a specific item to a player.
`/godmode "user"`	Makes the specified player completely invulnerable.
`/invisible "user"`	Makes the player invisible to zombies.
`/chopper`	Triggers a helicopter event on a random online player.
`/createhorde "amount"`	Spawns a horde of zombies near your character.
`/quit`	Safely saves the world and shuts down the server.

When typing commands into the HypeServ Console directly, you do not need to include the / slash at the beginning.

Next Step: Install Mods

Learn how to easily install Steam Workshop mods and custom maps to your Project Zomboid server.

Need Help?

If you’re feeling stuck modifying your configuration files, always feel free to contact our support team!

RAM Guide

How to pick the right RAM and CPU amounts for your Project Zomboid server.

Modding Guide

Step-by-step instructions for adding Steam Workshop mods to your Project Zomboid server on HypeServ.