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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteBack up the complete active cluster, not just a single save file. First identify the server’s actual storage root and cluster directory, stop the server (or run a controlled c_save()), then archive the entire cluster with its Master and Caves data, configuration, permissions and mods. Store the dated archive outside the live directory and rehearse a restore on a spare location.
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The short answer: archive the whole cluster
A Don’t Starve Together dedicated server’s recovery unit is the complete cluster folder. It contains shared cluster settings, shard-specific world data, player data, access lists, server configuration and (when used) mod configuration and downloads. Copying one file or only the Master shard can leave you with an incomplete world.
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Klei’s official support guidance for Windows PC is to go to the DocumentsKlei directory and zip it with all subdirectories. For a dedicated server, you can archive the complete profile or the specific cluster selected by the server’s launch options. The profile-wide approach is simplest when the installation contains one cluster; a multi-cluster host should preserve each active cluster separately.
Where DST stores server data
Klei’s dedicated-server command-line guide defines the active location as:
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<persistent_storage_root>/<conf_dir>/<cluster>/
-persistent_storage_root must be an absolute path. -conf_dir defaults to DoNotStarveTogether, and -cluster selects the cluster directory. A launch script, scheduled task or service unit can override the defaults, so the path in the table is only a starting point.
| Platform | Default profile location | Typical default cluster path | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows | DocumentsKlei |
DocumentsKleiDoNotStarveTogether<cluster> |
A dedicated server may use a different absolute -persistent_storage_root. |
| macOS | ~/Documents/Klei |
~/Documents/Klei/DoNotStarveTogether/<cluster> |
Confirm the launch options before copying. |
| Linux | ~/.klei |
~/.klei/DoNotStarveTogether/<cluster> |
Service accounts often have a home directory different from your login account. |
The angle-bracket terms are path components, not literal folder names. Replace them with the values used by the server process. If the service starts with a custom storage root, that custom root takes precedence over the platform default.
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- Open the script, shortcut, container definition or service unit that starts the dedicated server.
- Look for
-persistent_storage_root,-conf_dirand-cluster. Record every value, including capitalization and whether the path is absolute. - Combine those values using
<persistent_storage_root>/<conf_dir>/<cluster>/. That is the cluster you must archive. - If no flag is present, check the platform default in the table and look for the cluster directory containing the server’s current files.
- Confirm the choice by checking modification times: the files should change when the server saves or shuts down. If you find several similarly named clusters, do not guess; match the directory named by
-cluster.
Backing up the wrong default folder is a common failure on hosted or migrated servers. The command-line options, not the operating system, determine the authoritative location.
Prepare a consistent snapshot
Do not copy a live world while it is actively writing files if you can avoid it. Klei’s settings guidance states that the game saves on shutdown and can be manually saved with c_save(). A controlled snapshot reduces the chance that the archive contains a partially written world or mismatched shard state.
- Warn connected players and stop new activity.
- Use the server’s normal shutdown procedure and wait for the process to exit. If an administrator console is available, run
c_save()first, then shut down cleanly. - Verify that both Master and Caves processes, when present, have stopped. A wrapper may leave one shard running after the other exits.
- Check that the cluster files are no longer changing.
- Only then copy or compress the profile or cluster.
If an emergency requires a live copy, label it as an unverified snapshot and make a clean backup as soon as the server can be stopped. A live archive should not be your only recovery copy.
Back up a Windows installation
For a Windows PC installation, Klei’s support wording is to zip the entire DocumentsKlei directory with all subdirectories. This captures the default DoNotStarveTogether profile and any clusters below it.
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- Stop the server or perform the controlled-save procedure.
- Open File Explorer and browse to
DocumentsKleifor the Windows account that runs the server. - Right-click the
Kleifolder and choose the archive or ZIP command available in your Windows edition. - Give the archive a dated name that identifies the host and cluster, such as
DST-backup-2026-10-14-Cluster_1.zip. - After the archive finishes, open it and confirm that the expected
DoNotStarveTogetherfolder and cluster subfolders are present.
If the dedicated server uses a custom persistent root outside Documents, archive that active cluster instead; zipping an untouched default Documents folder will not protect the running world.
Back up macOS and Linux installations
On macOS, the default profile is ~/Documents/Klei/DoNotStarveTogether. On Linux, it is ~/.klei/DoNotStarveTogether. Stop the server first, then use the file manager’s archive or compression function, or copy the complete cluster directory to an archive location while preserving its directory structure and file permissions.
For a service-managed Linux server, perform the operation as the account that owns the server files or use an administrative method that preserves ownership and permissions. The service’s home directory may not be your personal home directory. Always follow the service unit’s -persistent_storage_root, -conf_dir and -cluster values instead of assuming ~/.klei.
Files a dedicated cluster should contain
A reliable dedicated-server archive includes shared cluster files and every file belonging to each shard. The configuration reference assigns the following roles:
| File or directory | What it controls | Why it belongs in the backup |
|---|---|---|
cluster.ini |
Shared cluster settings. | Defines cluster-wide behavior needed to recreate the same server. |
cluster_token.txt |
Server-instance authentication token. | Required for operation; losing it can prevent the instance from starting normally. |
adminlist.txt |
Administrators. | Preserves staff permissions. |
blocklist.txt |
Blocked players. | Preserves bans or blocks configured for the cluster. |
whitelist.txt |
Allowed players when a whitelist is used. | Preserves access control. |
| Master shard directory | Master world data and shard-specific settings. | Contains the primary world and player state. |
| Caves shard directory | Caves world data and shard-specific settings. | Required when the cluster uses caves; it is a separate shard. |
server.ini in each shard |
Per-shard server settings. | Restores how each shard starts and runs. |
worldgenoverride.lua, when used |
World-generation overrides. | Preserves custom generation choices. |
leveldataoverride.lua, when used |
Level-data overrides. | Preserves custom level settings. |
modoverrides.lua |
Enabled mod configuration for the shard. | Restores mod settings and compatibility choices. |
| Mod download and configuration files | Downloaded mod content and related settings. | Helps the restored server reproduce the same modded world. |
Names can vary with the cluster and shard layout, but the rule is constant: preserve the complete cluster tree rather than selecting only files that look like saves.
Keep Master and Caves together
Master and Caves are separate shards that cooperate as one cluster. If caves are enabled, back up both shard directories in the same archive and restore them together. A Master-only copy may appear to start while silently losing the caves world or leaving shard references inconsistent.
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When checking an archive, expand the cluster and verify that both shard directories are present if the live server uses caves. Also check each shard for its server.ini, override files and modoverrides.lua where applicable.
Store archives safely
Keep dated archives outside the live server directory. If an update, script error or disk failure damages the live tree, an archive stored beside it can be damaged at the same time. An external hard drive for PC backup is a practical physical destination for ZIP files; a second copy in a different location provides additional protection.
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- Retain at least one clean archive from before major configuration or mod changes.
- Keep the archive readable and verify that its size is plausible for the world and mod set.
- Restrict access to the backup location.
- Treat
cluster_token.txtas sensitive. It identifies the server instance and is needed for operation, so do not publish it in a forum, paste it into a public repository or attach it to an unsecured ticket.
Do not delete the live cluster after creating an archive. The archive is a recovery copy, not a replacement for the active data.
Restore a DST dedicated server
Restoration is a controlled file replacement followed by a shard check. Test it on a spare host or a separate copy whenever possible instead of experimenting on the only live world.
- Stop the destination server completely, including both Master and Caves processes.
- Identify the destination’s active storage location from its launch options. It may differ from the source host’s path.
- Make a temporary copy of any existing destination cluster so you can undo the test.
- Extract the dated archive and place the complete cluster directory beneath the destination’s selected
<persistent_storage_root>/<conf_dir>/path, using the cluster name expected by-cluster. - Preserve the directory hierarchy. Do not flatten the Master or Caves folders into the cluster root.
- Confirm that
cluster.ini, the access lists,cluster_token.txt, shardserver.inifiles and any override and mod files are present. - Start the same Master/Caves shard arrangement used by the source cluster.
- Join the world and verify terrain, inventory and player data, then check that caves load if they were enabled.
- Test administrator, whitelist and blocklist behavior with an appropriate account.
- Check that the expected mods download or load and that their settings match the archived configuration.
Klei migration guidance supports copying a complete cluster folder into the destination. The destination can use a different absolute storage root as long as its launch options point to the extracted cluster.
Verify a backup before you need it
A successful compression operation does not prove that restoration will work. Use a spare directory or host and run this checklist:
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- The archive opens without an extraction error.
- The expected cluster name appears under the configured
conf_dir. - Both Master and Caves are present when the original cluster used caves.
- The world loads without a new-world prompt.
- Known player characters, inventories and progression are present.
- World-generation and level-data overrides are active where the original used them.
- Mods load with the expected settings.
- Administrator, whitelist and blocklist behavior is intact.
- The server can shut down and save normally after the test.
Record the date of the last restore rehearsal alongside the archive. That gives you recovery confidence rather than merely a file that has never been opened.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Backup methods compared
| Method | Completeness | Consistency | Portability | Security concern | Recovery confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stop server, archive complete cluster | Full cluster, including shards and configuration | Strong; files are offline after a clean save | High; can be placed under a remapped storage root | Protect the token and archive access | High when a test restore is performed |
Run c_save(), then archive while stopping |
Full cluster if you copy the whole tree | Good, provided all processes finish shutting down | High | Same token precautions | High after verification |
| Copy a live cluster while players are connected | Can be full, but may miss in-flight changes | Weakest; files can represent different save moments | High | Token may be exposed in the copy | Uncertain until restored |
| Copy only the Master shard | Incomplete when caves or shared files are needed | Not applicable as a complete recovery | Limited | Access and token files may be absent | Low |
| Archive the entire default profile without checking launch options | Complete only if the server uses that profile | Good if offline | May restore the wrong cluster | Protect all included credentials | Low until the active path is confirmed |
Troubleshooting common backup and restore failures
The restored server creates a new world
The destination is probably reading a different path or cluster name. Recheck -persistent_storage_root, -conf_dir and -cluster, then ensure the extracted cluster directory sits exactly beneath the selected configuration directory. Do not rename the cluster casually; make the launch option and folder name agree.
The world loads but caves are missing
The archive may contain only the Master shard, or the destination was started without its Caves shard. Stop the server, restore the complete cluster including the Caves directory, and launch the same shard arrangement as the source.
Players, permissions or bans disappeared
Those records are in the cluster’s shared files and access lists, not just in terrain data. Restore adminlist.txt, blocklist.txt, whitelist.txt and the complete cluster tree rather than copying a world subdirectory alone.
Mods are disabled or behave differently
Check that each shard’s modoverrides.lua and the mod download/configuration files were included. A world archive without those files may load as an unmodded or differently configured server.
The server will not authenticate after migration
Verify that cluster_token.txt was copied intact and is protected from public exposure. If you intentionally replace a token, treat that as a server-identity change and secure the new file in every backup.
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The ZIP exists but cannot be trusted
Open the archive, inspect its folder tree and perform a test extraction. If it was created while the server was live, make a second archive after a clean shutdown and use that offline copy as the primary restore point.
Practical backup routine
- After installing or changing a server, document its launch options and active cluster path.
- Before a major update, world-generation change or mod change, warn players and stop the server cleanly.
- Create a dated archive of the complete cluster or profile.
- Open the archive to verify Master, Caves (when used), shared files and mod configuration.
- Copy the archive to an external hard drive or another separate location.
- Periodically restore it to a spare location and record the result.
This routine protects the files that make the server reproducible: world state, player progress, shard relationships, permissions, authentication and configuration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I back up only the Master folder if my server currently runs caves?
No. Master and Caves are separate shards of one cluster. Keep both shard directories and the shared cluster files in the same archive.
Is the default Documents or .klei path always correct?
No. A dedicated server can override the platform default with an absolute -persistent_storage_root, plus -conf_dir and -cluster. Inspect the launch script or service unit first.
Does a cluster backup include player progress?
A complete cluster backup is intended to preserve the world and player data together. Copying only a single configuration or shard directory does not provide that complete recovery.
How can I move a cluster to another host with a different folder layout?
Extract the complete cluster beneath the destination path selected by its launch options. The persistent-storage root can be remapped; preserve the cluster’s internal structure and start the same Master/Caves shards.
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