To run your Project Zomboid server you log in as the admin user with your admin password, then you can open the admin panel or type slash commands like /additem, /kickuser and /setaccesslevel straight into chat.
Set your admin password
Every Project Zomboid server has a built-in account called admin. Its password is separate from the join password that other players use to get on the server.
On your GuavaHost panel, open the Startup tab and look for the admin password server variable. Set it there, then restart the server so it takes effect. Keep it long and private, since anyone with it has full control of your world. If you ever need to change it, update the variable and restart again.
Log in as admin in-game
- Connect to your server the normal way through Join.
- For your Account Username type admin.
- For your Account Password type the admin password you set.
- Join the server. You now have admin powers, shown by a small gear or admin button on your screen.
The admin panel and chat commands
Once you are logged in as admin you have two tools. The on-screen admin panel lets you click through options like teleporting, spawning items and managing players. You can also type commands directly into the chat box. In chat, every command starts with a slash.
Handy admin commands
- /help lists the commands available to you.
- /players shows who is currently connected.
- /setaccesslevel "username" "admin" promotes a player. Levels are admin, moderator, overseer, gm and observer.
- /additem "username" "Base.Axe" gives a player an item. Swap in any item ID.
- /kickuser "username" -r "reason" removes a player.
- /banuser "username" -r "reason" bans one, and /unbanuser "username" reverses it.
- /servermsg "text" broadcasts a message to everyone.
- /godmode "username", /invisible "username" and /noclip "username" are handy for moderating or building.
- /teleport "username" moves you to a player.
- /save writes the world to disk, and /quit saves and stops the server cleanly.
Promote your moderators
You do not want to hand out the admin login to everyone. Instead, have trusted players join with their own normal accounts, then promote them with /setaccesslevel. A moderator can kick and ban without the full item-spawning powers of an admin, which is safer for day to day help.
Commands from the panel console
You can also run many of these from the Console tab in your GuavaHost panel. Type them into the box at the bottom without the leading slash, for example save, players or quit. This is the quickest way to save or stop the server without logging in.
Still stuck? Jump into our Discord at discord.gg/GuavaHost and the team will help you out.