Starbound Dedicated Server: Admin Commands & starbound_server.config Guide
Data Verified: May 2026Definitive Starbound server reference. Configure starbound_server.config, manage accounts and permissions, run with mods via the workshop, and size hardware for stable persistent universes.
Commands & configuration database
| Command | Default Value | Description | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
serverName | A Starbound Server | Public server name shown in the in-game browser. | |
gameServerPort | 21025 | TCP port the server listens on for clients. | |
queryServerPort | 21025 | UDP port used by the Steam query system. | |
maxPlayers | 8 | Maximum concurrent players. | |
serverPassword | (empty) | Password required to join the server. | |
allowAnonymousConnections | true | Allows guests to join without a `serverUsers` account. | |
anonymousConnectionsAreAdmin | false | Grants admin to anonymous joiners (TESTING ONLY). | |
checkAssetsDigest | false | Forces clients to match server asset digest (use with mods). | |
serverFidelity | automatic | Per-tick simulation fidelity: low, medium, high, automatic. | |
allowAdminCommandsFromAnyone | false | Allows any player to run admin commands (TESTING ONLY). | |
playerBackupFileCount | 3 | Number of rolling backups kept per player file. |
Showing 11 of 11 configuration parameters.
| Command | Default Value | Description | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
/admin | N/A | Toggles admin mode on the calling account. | |
/kick <player> <reason> | N/A | Kicks the named player from the server. | |
/ban <player> <reason> <type> <duration> | N/A | Bans by name. Type can be ip or uuid; duration in seconds. | |
/clientwhoami | N/A | Shows the calling player's UUID, account and admin status. | |
/who | N/A | Lists all currently connected players. | |
/spawnitem <name> <qty> | N/A | Spawns the named item into the admin's inventory. | |
/warp <action> | N/A | Warps the admin to a specific world (Player:<uuid>, CelestialWorld:..., etc). | |
/serverwhoami | N/A | Displays the server's identity to the calling admin. | |
/shutdown <seconds> | N/A | Schedules a graceful shutdown with broadcast. |
Showing 9 of 9 admin console commands.
Recommended hosting providers
Vetted hosts with one-click Starbound installs. Links are affiliate placeholders and marked rel="sponsored".
One-click Starbound installs with Workshop mod synchronization and config web editor.
Visit Nitrado →Budget plans with web-based starbound_server.config editor.
Visit GTXGaming →Dedicated nodes with large NVMe storage ideal for long-running universes that grow past 20 GB.
Visit Host Havoc →Hardware specifications
Sizing guidance for self-hosting a Starbound dedicated server.
| Tier | Specification | Use case |
|---|---|---|
| Small (1-8 players) | 2 GB RAM / 2-core 3.0 GHz+ CPU | Vanilla. Starbound is very lightweight per player. |
| Standard (8-16 players) | 4 GB RAM / 4-core 3.5 GHz+ CPU / SSD | Active modded server (Frackin Universe) with regular play. |
| Heavy / FU + many worlds | 8 GB RAM / 4-core 4.0 GHz+ Dedicated Node / NVMe | Long-running Frackin Universe communities with multi-GB universes. |
Default file locations
Default installation paths for Starbound dedicated servers installed via SteamCMD.
Windows
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Starbound\storage\Linux
/home/steam/starbound/storage/Pro-Tip: Always stop the server completely before editing configuration files, or the server will overwrite your changes upon restart.
Default ports for port forwarding
Open these on your router and firewall before exposing the server to the internet.
| Service | Protocol | Port |
|---|---|---|
| Game Port | TCP | 21025 |
| Query Port | UDP | 21025 |
| RCON / Telnet | TCP | 21026 |
Frequently asked questions
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