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World desk10 min

Vintage Story Server Commands and Admin Setup Guide

A version-aware guide to Vintage Story dedicated-server setup, Linux and Windows data paths, whitelist security, operator bootstrapping, moderator roles, essential commands and troubleshooting.
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To run a reliable Vintage Story dedicated server, separate its data directory from your single-player files, launch it under a non-root account, secure it before sharing the address, and bootstrap the first administrator from the server console. From there, use roles and narrowly scoped privileges instead of giving every moderator full operator access.

The command syntax is version-sensitive. The Vintage Story command-list page was last verified for version 1.15, while the dedicated-server guide was revised in January 2026. Always confirm a command with /help and the in-game Command Handbook (.chb) on the build you actually run.

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Plan the server before installing it

A dedicated server should have its own data path. Keeping worlds, configuration and logs in a directory such as VSserverData prevents multiplayer files from mixing with your single-player saves and makes backups and upgrades safer.

Choose the operating model

Decision Self-hosted machine Managed host
Operating system and firewall You control the OS, firewall, ports and service account. You must maintain them. The provider controls much of the platform; verify which ports, firewall rules and OS features are exposed.
Configuration and console Direct access to serverconfig.json, startup scripts and the live console. Often exposed through a panel or support process; confirm that console commands and file editing are available.
Backups You design, schedule and test backups. Check retention, restore procedure and whether backups are included or charged separately.
Updates and mods You control the update sequence and mod files. Check how the panel handles game updates, mod installation and rollback.
Capacity and latency Capacity depends on your hardware and network; choose a location close to players. Ask about CPU/RAM limits, player capacity and available regions. No performance benchmark is established here.
Monthly cost and support Hardware, electricity and administration are your costs. Compare the complete recurring price and the quality and hours of technical support; specific prices are not established in the available documentation.

This guide focuses on self-hosting because it exposes every command and setting. The same security principles apply when a hosting panel is used.

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Linux runtime requirements

The required .NET runtime depends on the Vintage Story release:

Vintage Story release Runtime identified by the current guide
1.22.0 and newer .NET 10
1.21.0 and newer, before 1.22 .NET 8
Older releases .NET 7

Use the runtime that matches the server build. Installing a different major version can prevent the server from starting even when the archive extracted correctly.

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Set up a Windows or same-machine server

Create a separate data directory

  1. Create a directory dedicated to the server, for example C:VSserverData. Do not point the server at the folder used by your single-player installation.
  2. Install or unpack the dedicated-server files separately from that data directory.
  3. Launch the server executable with a --dataPath argument. A typical form is VintageStoryServer.exe --dataPath="C:VSserverData". Adjust the executable name and path to the files you installed.
  4. On first launch, let the server create its files. The server configuration file is serverconfig.json inside the data path.

Use an absolute path when possible. Relative paths depend on the directory from which the process was started and can silently create a second data directory after a shortcut, scheduled task or service change.

Open the network port

When a host firewall is enabled, allow the server’s listening port for both TCP and UDP. The documented default is port 42420. If you change the port in configuration, open the replacement port instead and give players the matching address.

Install a dedicated Linux server

Run the service as its own unprivileged account. The official guide explicitly recommends never running the server as root for security reasons.

Create the account and directory layout

  1. Create a user named vintagestory (or another dedicated, non-root account) and log in as that user for routine server administration.
  2. Use this layout, which keeps executable files and mutable world data separate:
    /home/vintagestory/server for the server files
    /home/vintagestory/data for worlds, configuration and logs
  3. Download the Vintage Story Linux tar.gz Archive (server only) and extract it into /home/vintagestory/server.
  4. Make the launcher executable:
    chmod +x /home/vintagestory/server/server.sh

Set the launcher variables

The guide uses these values in the startup environment:

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USERNAME=vintagestory
VSPATH=/home/vintagestory/server
DATAPATH=/home/vintagestory/data

Keep the data path stable across updates. Repointing DATAPATH to a new directory makes the server appear to have lost its worlds and settings even though the old files still exist.

Open the firewall

Allow TCP and UDP port 42420 when the host firewall requires explicit rules. Both protocols matter; allowing only one can produce connection failures that look like a bad address or a blocked client.

Use the server script

From the installation directory, the launcher supports these operations:

Command Purpose
server/server.sh start Start the server in the background or service mode provided by the script.
server/server.sh stop Stop it cleanly.
server/server.sh status Check whether it is running.
server/server.sh restart Stop and start it again.
server/server.sh update Run the script’s update workflow.
server/server.sh setup Run setup actions supplied by the script.
server/server.sh command "command" Send a command to the running server without opening an interactive console.

For example, after replacing the placeholder with a real account name, you can bootstrap access with:

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server/server.sh command "/whitelist add <username>"
server/server.sh command "/op <username>"

In these examples, angle brackets indicate a value to replace; do not type the brackets themselves.

Secure the server before inviting players

Understand the whitelist default

Dedicated servers use whitelist mode by default from Vintage Story 1.20 onward. The older OnlyWhitelisted configuration key is obsolete for that boundary. Check the running build rather than assuming a pre-1.20 tutorial still applies.

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Configure protection from the console or authorized chat

These settings can be applied through the server console, authorized in-game chat, or serverconfig.json:

  • /serverconfig advertise false hides the server from public listing.
  • /serverconfig password <password> sets a password. The documented command accepts a password without spaces.
  • /serverconfig WhitelistMode on enforces the whitelist. The accepted values are off, on and default.

Add each trusted player explicitly with /player <username> whitelist on. Use the exact in-game username, including capitalization where the server treats it as significant.

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Use a restricted visitor role

The normal new-player role is suplayer. For a server where untrusted visitors may look around and chat but must not interact with the world, set DefaultRoleCode to suvisitor in serverconfig.json. The documented behavior of suvisitor allows visiting and chatting while blocking use, placement and breaking.

There is no currently documented command for changing the default role code. Edit the file, save it, and relaunch the server. To change one connected player’s role without changing the default, use /player <username> role suplayer or another role code installed on your server.

Apply configuration changes correctly

Changes in serverconfig.json do not take effect until the server is relaunched. Before stopping, save the world with /autosavenow, then run /stop and start the server again. Individual whitelist and role commands generally take effect without a full restart; file-based settings do not.

Bootstrap the first administrator

Why console access is initially necessary

A newly created player normally receives the suplayer role. That role cannot manage privileges, so the first elevation must come from the server console, a startup-script command, or a configuration-based recovery method. Do not assume a newly joined player can type /op successfully.

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Grant operator access

From the console, run:

/op <username>

On Linux, the equivalent non-interactive form is:

server/server.sh command "/op <username>"

The wiki reference describes /op as a shortcut for assigning the administrator role. To remove that status, use /deop <username>. Replace the placeholder with the player’s actual name and omit the angle brackets.

Prefer roles for ongoing administration

Operator access is convenient for the owner, but moderators usually need less. Create or use a role whose privileges match the job, then assign that role with /player <username> role <rolecode>. This limits the damage from an accidental command or a compromised moderator account.

Understand roles and privileges

Inspect what the current build provides

Privilege names and role behavior can vary by game version and installed mods. Start with:

/list privileges
/list role

The commonly documented privilege names include:

  • build — building and block changes
  • use — using interactable blocks and items
  • chat — chat-related actions
  • attack — combat actions
  • controlserver — server-control operations
  • gamemode — game-mode changes
  • time — time controls
  • teleport — teleport operations
  • grantrevoke — granting and revoking privileges

Use the list from your own server as the authority. A privilege shown in an old command page may be renamed, unavailable or changed by a mod.

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Grant only what a moderator needs

Use /player <username> privilege grant <privilege> for an individual exception, or /role <rolecode> privilege grant <privilege> to define a reusable role. Revoke with the same command structure and revoke in place of grant.

For example, a chat moderator might need chat but not controlserver; a builder may need build and use but not grantrevoke. Keep the ability to grant privileges restricted to the owner or a very small number of trusted administrators.

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Essential command reference

Server commands begin with /. Documentation uses bracket notation to show optional arguments; do not type the explanatory brackets. Confirm every command with /help on the installed build because the published list is outdated and mods can add or alter commands.

Discovery and status

Command Use
/help Show commands available on the running server.
/list clients List connected clients.
/list banned Show banned players.
/list role Inspect available roles.
/list privileges Inspect installed privileges.

Player access and roles

Command Use
/player <name> whitelist on|off Add or remove a player from the whitelist.
/player <name> role <rolecode> Assign a role to one player.
/player <name> privilege grant|revoke <privilege> Change one player’s individual privilege.
/role <rolecode> privilege grant|revoke <privilege> Change privileges attached to a role.
/op <name> Assign administrator access.
/deop <name> Remove administrator access.

Moderation and lifecycle

Command Use
/kick <name> [reason] Disconnect a player, optionally recording a reason.
/ban <name> [reason] Ban a player, optionally recording a reason.
/unban <name> Remove a ban.
/announce <message> Send a server announcement.
/autosavenow Request an immediate save.
/stop Shut down the server cleanly.

Runtime server settings

Command Use
/serverconfig maxclients <number> Set the player limit.
/serverconfig password <password> Set a password without spaces.
/serverconfig advertise <true|false> Control public listing.
/serverconfig WhitelistMode <default|off|on> Set whitelist behavior.

Practical administration workflows

Add a player safely

  1. Confirm the exact username with /list clients if the player is online, or with the name they provide.
  2. Run /player <username> whitelist on.
  3. If the server is password-protected, provide the password through a private channel rather than public chat.
  4. Assign the normal player role unless the account needs a special capability.

Give a moderator limited powers

  1. Run /list privileges and identify the smallest set of capabilities required.
  2. Create or select a role representing that job.
  3. Grant only those privileges with /role <rolecode> privilege grant <privilege>.
  4. Assign the role with /player <username> role <rolecode>.
  5. Test the moderator account in a safe area. Confirm that ordinary moderation works and that high-impact commands remain unavailable.

Remove access after a dispute

  1. Remove elevated privileges or assign a restricted role.
  2. Use /player <username> whitelist off if the account should no longer connect.
  3. Use /kick for an immediate disconnect or /ban for a continuing exclusion.
  4. Record what changed and when, especially if several administrators share console access.

Why a command may not work

The command is rejected as unknown

Run /help and open .chb. The published command page was last verified for 1.15, so syntax from it may not match a newer release. A mod may also add, replace or remove commands.

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The player lacks permission

Check the player’s role and privileges. A default suplayer cannot manage privileges, and a moderator role may intentionally omit controlserver or grantrevoke. Perform the initial /op from the console rather than trying to bootstrap it from an unprivileged account.

The setting appears unchanged

Determine whether you changed a live command setting or edited serverconfig.json. File edits require a full save-and-relaunch cycle: run /autosavenow, then /stop, and start the server again. Check that the process is using the expected DATAPATH or Windows --dataPath; editing a different copy has no effect.

Players cannot connect

  • Verify that the server process is running with server/server.sh status on Linux.
  • Confirm TCP and UDP access to port 42420 (or your configured replacement) in the host firewall and any router forwarding rule.
  • Check whitelist status and add the player with /player <username> whitelist on.
  • Check whether /serverconfig advertise false intentionally hides the listing; hidden does not mean offline, but players must use the direct address.
  • Confirm that the client and server versions and installed mods are compatible.

Keep upgrades and backups predictable

Before an update, stop the server cleanly, preserve the complete data directory and note the current game version, runtime version and mod set. Keep the executable tree under server and the mutable world data under data so a rollback can restore the previous pair consistently.

Test a backup by restoring it to a separate data path rather than overwriting the live world. A backup that has never been restored is only an assumption. After an upgrade, run /help, /list privileges and a basic whitelist test because command availability and privilege names can change between builds.

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Final pre-invite checklist

  • Server files and multiplayer data use a dedicated path.
  • Linux runs under a non-root vintagestory account.
  • The required .NET runtime matches the Vintage Story version.
  • TCP and UDP port 42420 are reachable where required.
  • Whitelist mode, password and public-listing preference are deliberate.
  • The first administrator was elevated from the console or startup script.
  • Moderators have roles with only the privileges they need.
  • Configuration-file edits were followed by a save, clean stop and relaunch.
  • Commands were checked with the running server’s /help and .chb.
  • A backup and a tested restore path exist before valuable worlds are opened to others.

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