Project Zomboid Dedicated Server: Admin Commands & Hosting Guide
Data Verified: May 2026Comprehensive Project Zomboid server guide. Access essential admin console commands, server configuration parameters, and hardware requirements for hosting stable communities.
Commands & configuration database
| Command | Default Value | Description | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
-servername | My Server | The name of the server in the browser. | |
-adminpassword | password | Password required for admin access. | |
-port | 16261 | Default game port (UDP). | |
-public | true | true = Listed, false = Hidden. | |
-maxplayers | 32 | Maximum concurrent player capacity. | |
-savedir | Zomboid/Saves | Custom path for world save data. |
Showing 6 of 6 configuration parameters.
| Command | Default Value | Description | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
additem <username> <item> <count> | N/A | Adds an item to a player's inventory. | |
addxp <username> <skill> <amount> | N/A | Grants XP to a specific skill. | |
godmode <username> | N/A | Toggles invincibility for a player. | |
teleport <target> <x>,<y>,<z> | N/A | Teleports target to specific coordinates. | |
kick <username> | N/A | Kicks a player from the server. | |
banuser <username> <reason> | N/A | Bans a player by username. | |
unbanuser <username> | N/A | Removes a ban for a player. | |
changeaccesslevel <username> <level> | N/A | Sets admin access level (none, overseer, moderator, admin). | |
showoptions | N/A | Displays current server sandbox settings. | |
save | N/A | Forces a world save. | |
quit | N/A | Shuts down the server safely. | |
chopper | N/A | Triggers the helicopter event for a specific player. | |
gunshot | N/A | Triggers a gunshot sound event to move zombies. | |
releasesafehouse <username> | N/A | Removes safehouse ownership from a player. | |
createhorde <count> <username> | N/A | Spawns a specific number of zombies near a player. | |
addvehicle <script> <username> | N/A | Spawns a vehicle near the player. | |
alarm | N/A | Triggers an alarm sound at the admin's location. | |
invisible <username> | N/A | Toggles invisibility for a player (zombies ignore them). | |
noclip <username> | N/A | Allows a player to pass through walls/objects. | |
players | N/A | Lists all currently connected players. | |
servermsg <message> | N/A | Broadcasts a global message to all players. |
Showing 21 of 21 admin console commands.
Recommended hosting providers
Vetted hosts with one-click Project Zomboid installs. Links are affiliate placeholders and marked rel="sponsored".
One-click Project Zomboid hosting with Workshop mod manager, automatic backups, and an easy sandbox config editor.
Visit Nitrado →Global low-latency locations with Steam Workshop integration and instant save-file swapping for Zomboid worlds.
Visit G-Portal →High-performance NVMe Zomboid hosting tuned for heavily modded servers with unlimited slots and DDoS protection.
Visit Citadel Servers →Hardware specifications
Sizing guidance for self-hosting a Project Zomboid dedicated server.
| Tier | Specification | Use case |
|---|---|---|
| Small/Co-op (1-4 players) | 4GB RAM / 2 Cores | Vanilla co-op play with friends on a small explored area. |
| Community Server (5-16 players) | 8GB RAM / 4 Cores | Active public server with light Workshop mods and expanded map exploration. |
| High-Pop/Modded (16+ players) | 16GB+ RAM / 6+ Cores | Heavy modpacks (Britas, Superb Survivors) and long-running persistent worlds. |
Default file locations
Default installation paths for Project Zomboid dedicated servers installed via SteamCMD.
Windows
C:\pzserver\Linux
/home/steam/pzserver/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 | UDP | 16261 |
| Query Port | UDP | 16262 |
| RCON / Telnet | - | N/A |
Frequently asked questions
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Host your own Project Zomboid server
All hosting guides →Step-by-step install and deploy walkthroughs (panels, ports, RAM sizing). Pair these with the command reference above.