How to Set Up a Palworld Dedicated Server (Step by Step)

To set up a Palworld dedicated server, download it with SteamCMD (app ID 2394010), copy DefaultPalWorldSettings.ini to PalWorldSettings.ini, adjust your settings and start PalServer.sh on UDP port 8211. This guide walks through each step on a Linux server, followed by crossplay, automatic restarts and performance tips. If you prefer a ready-made server, our Palworld server hosting is online within minutes, with DDoS protection and monthly cancellation. A dedicated server lets you set your own rules, control spawns and decide who can join.

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System requirements

Palworld 1.0.3 uses a lot of memory. For up to 8 players you need at least 8 GB RAM. With 16 or more players, many bases and tamed Pals, expect usage to climb to 16 GB. Plan for 2 to 4 vCPU cores and at least 20 GB of storage.

Installation via SteamCMD

Install SteamCMD on your VPS if not done already.
Download the Palworld dedicated server with app_update 2394010 validate.
Copy DefaultPalWorldSettings.ini to Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/PalWorldSettings.ini.
Edit the settings to your liking (see below).
Start the server with ./PalServer.sh -port=8211. Since version 1.0, Pocketpair notes that leaving out the older flags -useperfthreads -NoAsyncLoadingThread -UseMultithreadForDS may improve performance.

Key settings

In PalWorldSettings.ini you can configure:

ServerPlayerMaxNum=32: maximum number of players.
PalSpawnNumRate=1.0: Pal spawn frequency. Increase for more action.
ExpRate=1.0: experience multiplier.
DeathPenalty=All: what players lose on death (None, Item, ItemAndEquipment, All).
AdminPassword: set an admin password for in-game commands.

Crossplay: Steam, Xbox, PS5 and Mac

Palworld supports crossplay between Steam, Xbox, PlayStation 5 and Mac. The setting CrossplayPlatforms in PalWorldSettings.ini controls which platforms can connect; the default is (Steam,Xbox,PS5,Mac). The older AllowConnectPlatform setting is no longer available. Xbox and PS5 players can only join a community server: start the server with the launch option -publiclobby so it appears in the community server list. Note that server-side mods currently only work on Windows servers.

Automatic restarts

The Palworld server can leak memory over time. Schedule an automatic restart every 6 to 12 hours using a cronjob or systemd timer. Warn players with an RCON message before restarting.

Performance tips

Use NVMe storage for faster chunk loading.
Limit the number of bases (BaseCampMaxNum for the whole server, BaseCampMaxNumInGuild per guild) to reduce server load.
Monitor memory usage with htop and scale up if it stays above 80%.

How much RAM do I need for Palworld?

For a small server (4 to 8 players) at least 8 GB. For larger servers with many bases and Pals, 16 GB is recommended. Memory usage grows as players build and capture more.

Do mods work on a Linux server?

Client-side mods (texture packs, UI mods) work regardless of platform. Server-side mods currently require a Windows server. Check each mod for Linux support.

Can I transfer my singleplayer world?

Yes. Copy your save files from the local Palworld folder to the Pal/Saved/SaveGames directory on the server. Make sure the folder structure matches and restart the server.

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