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For a quick session, use Don’t Starve Together’s Host Game menu. For a world that should remain available when the owner is offline, use a dedicated server. A dedicated setup stores one shared cluster and runs each world level as a separate shard. A Forest-only world is the simplest starting point; adding Caves means running Master and Caves servers simultaneously, which Klei describes as CPU-intensive.
This guide follows Klei Entertainment’s current command-line documentation and support guidance. Klei’s linked Windows, Linux and macOS quick-start pages were not available for verification here, so the platform-specific installation commands are intentionally left to Klei’s current platform guide rather than guessed.
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Choose the hosting method that fits your group
The important decision is persistence. In-game hosting is convenient because the player who creates the world also starts the session. A dedicated server is a separate process, so the world can be managed independently of any one player’s active game session.
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In-game hosting: the easiest route
Use this when the same person normally plays and hosts, or when you want to create a world without managing server files.
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- Open Don’t Starve Together and select Host Game.
- Choose Create New World.
- Select a server playstyle.
- Choose Caves or No Caves.
- Adjust the world presets you want.
- Generate the world and invite the other players through the game’s normal joining flow.
This approach puts world creation and hosting in the same client interface. It is generally the better first test because you can confirm that the game, mods and network connection work before adding a separate server process.
Dedicated hosting: the persistent route
Choose a dedicated server when the group wants a world that is not tied to the host’s play session, when the host computer can remain online, or when you want to run a paid or home server separately from the game client. Klei’s model uses a shared cluster directory. Each world level inside that cluster is a shard with its own server configuration and process.
| Question | In-game Host Game | Dedicated server |
|---|---|---|
| Who starts the world? | The player hosting from the game client | A separately managed server process |
| Best for | Small groups and occasional sessions | Persistent worlds and an always-on host |
| World files | Managed through the game interface | Managed in a cluster directory with one directory per shard |
| Caves | Selected during world creation | Requires separate Master and Caves shard processes |
| Administration | Minimal file and process management | Requires operating-system, firewall, backup and process management |
Understand the dedicated-server layout
Klei’s command reference defines two levels of configuration: the cluster and its shards. The cluster directory contains cluster.ini. Each shard directory contains its own server.ini. A Forest-only world normally uses a Master shard. A Forest-plus-Caves world uses at least Master and Caves shards in the same cluster.
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Default configuration locations
The default configuration root differs by operating system. Klei documents these locations as follows:
| Operating system | Default configuration root | Default configuration directory |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Documents/Klei | DoNotStarveTogether |
| macOS | The user’s home Documents/Klei location | DoNotStarveTogether |
| Linux | ~/.klei |
DoNotStarveTogether |
Inside the DoNotStarveTogether configuration directory, create or select a cluster directory. A typical structure is:
DoNotStarveTogether/
└── MyClusterName/
├── cluster.ini
├── Master/
│ └── server.ini
└── Caves/
└── server.iniThe names are examples. The critical relationship is that both shard processes use the same cluster name, while each process selects a different shard directory.
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How the shard commands map to the folders
Klei’s documented two-level example launches one process with:
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems-cluster MyClusterName -shard Masterand another with:
-cluster MyClusterName -shard CavesThe -cluster option selects the cluster directory and -shard selects the shard directory. Use the same cluster name for both processes and the exact shard names used by your directories.
The command reference does not replace the operating-system installation guide. Klei links separate quick-start material for Windows, Linux and macOS, but those pages could not be verified for this article. Do not copy a command intended for another operating system, invent a SteamCMD sequence, or assume a service-file procedure. Open Klei’s current platform guide for the installation, authentication and service steps that match your host.
Decide whether you need Caves
Caves and ruins add another world level, but they also change the hardware requirement. Klei states: “Please note that hosting a forest and caves world requires running multiple servers at the same time which is CPU-intensive and requires a beefier computer setup.” In a dedicated configuration, Master and Caves run as separate shards at the same time.
Start without Caves when simplicity matters
A Forest-only world is the sensible first deployment if you are learning the configuration model, using an older computer, or troubleshooting connectivity. It needs one shard process and gives you a working baseline for testing mods, backups and joining.
Add Caves when the host has headroom
Add Caves after the Forest-only setup is stable and the host has spare CPU capacity while players are connected. Klei does not publish a current extra CPU or RAM amount for Caves, so do not treat a particular processor or memory figure as an official Caves requirement. The practical test is whether both shard processes remain responsive during real play with your intended player count and mods.
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Interpret Klei’s published hardware figures correctly
Klei’s dedicated-server requirements page, updated July 25, 2025, lists these minimums:
| Component | Published minimum | How to use the figure in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | 1.7+ GHz | A floor, not a guarantee of smooth performance |
| Memory | 1+ GB RAM | A floor; leave additional headroom for the operating system, shards and mods |
| Storage | 1+ GB disk space | A floor for the server software and files, not a complete backup or growth plan |
Klei explicitly tells hosts that their system should surpass those requirements. The same page lists Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8, plus Ubuntu 12.10 or higher. Those entries are dated and should not be read as a current 2026 compatibility promise. Confirm the operating system supported by Klei’s current platform documentation before building or renting a host.
The reviewed official pages do not provide a sizing chart by player count, mod count or Caves usage. Instead of treating the minimums as a buying specification, compare the following when choosing a home machine or a paid server:
- CPU headroom for one or two shard processes.
- Memory available after the operating system and other services are running.
- Storage capacity for the cluster, backups and logs.
- Bandwidth and the host’s geographic distance from most players.
- Whether the operating system gives you the access needed for the dedicated installation.
- Whether the host can run separate Master and Caves shards simultaneously.
- Support for the mods your group uses.
- Backup tools, support quality, uptime and the complete recurring cost.
Set up a dedicated server without guessing platform commands
The sequence below describes the configuration model that Klei documents. For executable installation commands, use the current Windows, Linux or macOS guide for your platform.
- Choose the host. Decide whether an always-on computer at home or a rented game-server machine is appropriate. Place the host near the majority of players when possible; Klei identifies geographic distance, bandwidth and server hardware as performance factors.
- Verify the operating system. Check Klei’s current platform documentation rather than relying on the legacy operating-system list on the requirements page.
- Install the dedicated-server software. Follow the platform-specific Klei guide exactly. Do not mix Windows, Linux and macOS commands.
- Locate the configuration root. Use the OS-specific path in the table above and open the
DoNotStarveTogetherdirectory. - Create a cluster directory. Give it a stable name such as
MyClusterName. Keep the name consistent in every launch command. - Create the cluster configuration. Place
cluster.iniin the cluster’s top level. Configure the world and cluster settings using Klei’s current documentation and the values appropriate for your group. - Create the Master shard. Make a
Masterdirectory containing its ownserver.ini. - Create the Caves shard if needed. Make a
Cavesdirectory containing a separateserver.ini. Skip this directory for a Forest-only world. - Set ports deliberately. Assign a UDP listen port and distinct player ports to each server in a multi-level cluster. Record the values so your firewall and router rules, if needed, refer to the correct process.
- Launch the shard processes. Start the Master process with
-cluster MyClusterName -shard Master. Start the Caves process with-cluster MyClusterName -shard Caveswhen the cluster includes Caves. Both commands must point to the same cluster. - Test locally first. Confirm that the host can see the server and that another player on the same network can join before changing internet-facing router settings.
- Test the intended remote connection. Have a player outside the home network try to join. If that fails, investigate the host firewall, router behavior and internet service rather than changing random ports.
- Back up the cluster. Stop the relevant processes before copying the cluster directory. Keep dated backups before changing world settings, adding mods or updating the server.
Ports: what Klei documents and what it does not
Klei’s command-line guide documents the UDP listen port and requires distinct player ports for each server in a multi-level cluster. It also identifies 10998 through 11018 inclusive as the range for a server to appear in a same-LAN server listing.
Those facts do not establish one universal internet router-forwarding recipe. Router interfaces, firewalls, carrier-grade NAT and internet-service policies differ. Use the port values shown by your configuration, allow the server through the host firewall where appropriate, and consult Klei’s current platform guidance plus your router documentation. Do not forward an entire range by habit, and do not assume a LAN-listing port is automatically the correct public-internet rule.
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The command reference documents a player limit from 1 to 64. That is the supported command-line range, not a promise that a low-powered host will perform well at 64 players.
Set the tick rate conservatively
Klei documents tick rates from 15 to 60 and recommends leaving the setting at the default of 15. Its guidance is explicit: “It is recommended to leave this at the default value of 15.” Raising the tick rate creates more network traffic. Change it only when you understand the network and CPU consequences and have a specific reason to test a different value.
Diagnose lag and connection problems in the right order
Check the in-game indicators
Klei recommends choosing servers showing a ping of 150 or below as a server-list guideline for optimal network performance. While playing, press Tab to view host performance marked Good, OK or Bad. These are practical indicators, not a guarantee that every player will experience identical latency.
Separate distance, bandwidth and hardware causes
Klei attributes performance differences to several factors: bandwidth, the host’s distance from players, server hardware and Wi-Fi or router behavior. A distant player may see a different result from someone nearby, and a host that looks adequate at idle may struggle when both shards and several mods are active.
Test Wi-Fi without assuming Ethernet is a cure
If Wi-Fi appears to be involved, update the router firmware and test the host with a direct wired Ethernet connection. An Ethernet cable is optional diagnostic equipment, not a DST server requirement. If the wired test improves the connection, investigate router placement, interference and configuration. The test identifies a likely network path problem; it does not guarantee that Ethernet alone fixes every lag source.
Handle mods methodically
Mods can affect startup time, stability and lag. Klei recommends testing without mods first, then enabling them one at a time and checking that each is current and compatible with the game version.
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- Disable every mod and start the unmodified world.
- Verify that the base server and joining process work.
- Subscribe to the desired mod in the Don’t Starve Together Workshop.
- In the world-creation Mods tab, enable the mod as a Server or Client mod according to its instructions.
- Restart and test after adding one mod.
- If the problem returns, remove the last mod and test again before adding anything else.
Klei states that mods are used at the player’s own risk and that it cannot support problems caused by modifications. Keep a known-good, unmodded configuration available so you can distinguish a mod failure from a server or network failure.
When a Windows dedicated server will not start
Klei’s Windows startup guidance warns that security software may prevent the game application from starting, with caves worlds called out as a particular case. Review your security product’s blocked-application history and allow the listed Don’t Starve Together executables when you trust the installation.
Windows Controlled Folder Access can also block file access. If the server cannot create or update files in its configuration directories, check Controlled Folder Access and the permissions on the Klei configuration path. Make the narrowest exception appropriate for your security policy rather than disabling protection globally.
Failed or crashing mods can prevent initialization. Disable all mods, reproduce the startup attempt, and then add them back individually. If the unmodified server still fails, follow Klei’s official troubleshooting instructions and submit the relevant logs to Klei’s bug tracker when requested. Keep the timestamp, operating system, shard name and the exact failure message with the report.
Home computer or paid host?
A home server avoids a recurring hosting bill but requires an available computer, stable connectivity, local power and your own maintenance. A paid host can be useful when you do not want an always-on machine at home, particularly for a Caves world, but advertised plans vary and Klei does not endorse a provider in the cited documentation.
| Criterion | Questions to ask before choosing |
|---|---|
| CPU and memory | Can it run Master and Caves concurrently with headroom? |
| Location | Is the machine close enough to most players for acceptable latency? |
| Configuration access | Can you edit the cluster and each shard’s server.ini? |
| Mods | Can you install and update the server and client mods your group needs? |
| Backups | Are automated backups available, and can you download your own copies? |
| Support and uptime | Who handles host outages, operating-system updates and hardware problems? |
| Total cost | What is the recurring price after any introductory period or setup fee? |
Verify each provider’s current capabilities before paying. None of these criteria is a verified rating of a particular host.
A practical 2026 decision checklist
- Choose in-game hosting if you want the shortest path from world creation to play and the host will normally be present.
- Choose a dedicated Forest server if you need persistence but want the simplest shard layout.
- Choose a dedicated Forest-plus-Caves server only when the host can run Master and Caves simultaneously and you are prepared to monitor CPU, memory and connectivity.
- Use Klei’s platform guide for current OS installation and authentication steps; do not rely on undocumented commands.
- Keep the tick rate at 15 unless a specific, tested reason justifies a change.
- Test unmodded and locally first, then add mods and remote access one variable at a time.
- Back up the cluster before world, mod or server changes.
Bottom line
Hosting Don’t Starve Together in 2026 is straightforward when you match the method to the group’s needs. Use Host Game for an uncomplicated session. Use a dedicated cluster for persistence, with one process for Master and another for Caves when that content is enabled. Treat Klei’s 2025 hardware numbers as minimum floors, keep the documented network and port limits in context, and troubleshoot mods, security software and Wi-Fi separately instead of changing several variables at once.
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