How to Configure Your Project Zomboid Server

Last updated: September 18, 2026

Project Zomboid stores its server settings in four files inside the Zomboid/Server/ folder. This guide explains what each one controls and how to edit them safely.

The Server Files

All four files are named after your server profile. The default profile is called servertest, so the main file is servertest.ini.

File	Controls
`<servername>.ini`	Server identity, slots, PvP, passwords, mods, whitelist, anti-cheat, and backups.
`<servername>_SandboxVars.lua`	Gameplay rules: zombies, loot, weather, and time.
`<servername>_spawnregions.lua`	Which spawn regions players can choose from.
`<servername>_spawnpoints.lua`	Exact spawn coordinates for each occupation.

Important: The config is matched by the server name it is started with. Renaming the server profile makes PZ generate a brand-new config at default values, so your old settings will not be used. Back up the files before renaming.

Step 1: Stop the Server

In the NolimitHost Game Panel, select your Project Zomboid server and stop it from the Console page. PZ reads the config on boot and can overwrite edits made while it runs.

Step 2: Edit the Files

In the left sidebar, click Files and open the Zomboid/Server/ folder.
Open servertest.ini to change server settings. Each setting is Key=Value on its own line.
Open servertest_SandboxVars.lua to change gameplay rules.
Save your changes and start the server again.

Common servertest.ini Settings

Setting	Purpose
`PublicName`	Server name shown in the browser. See Change the Server Name.
`Public`	`true` lists the server publicly; `false` makes it direct-connect only.
`Password`	Join password. Leave empty for an open server.
`MaxPlayers`	Player slot count.
`PVP`	Enable or disable player-versus-player combat.
`Open`	Whitelist switch. `true` lets anyone join; `false` requires an approved account. See Add a Whitelist.
`PauseEmpty`	Pause the world when no players are connected.
`WorkshopItems`	Numeric Workshop IDs of mods to download, separated by semicolons.
`Mods`	Text mod IDs (from each mod's `mod.info`) to activate, separated by semicolons.

Important: Mods need both WorkshopItems and Mods set. Setting only one is the most common reason mods fail to load. On Build 42, mod IDs in the list must begin with a backslash.

Applying Some Changes Without a Restart

An admin can reload the .ini file from in-game chat with /reloadoptions, or change a single value with /changeoption optionName "newValue". These do not reload the Lua sandbox files, so gameplay rules still need a restart.

Next How to Change the Server Name on Your Project Zomboid Server