Don't Starve Together Server Guide

📋 Quick Info

Server Specifications

Game: Don't Starve Together (Co-op Survival)
Platform: Windows, Linux
Default Port: 10999/UDP (game) + 10998/UDP (authentication)
Max Players: 64 (typical: 4-16)
Control Protocol: Console commands
Server Binary: dontstarve_dedicated_server_nullrenderer
App ID: 343050
Special Features: Seasons, caves, mods, world regeneration

🔌 Ports & Firewall Configuration

Don't Starve Together servers require specific ports for proper operation:

Port	Protocol	Purpose	Required
10999 (configurable)	UDP	Game port (server)	Yes
10998 (configurable)	UDP	Authentication/master server	Yes
10900 (configurable)	UDP	Cave/shard server (if using caves)	Optional
27016-27017	UDP	Steam master server queries	Optional

Firewall Examples

UFW (Ubuntu/Debian):

sudo ufw allow 10999/udp comment 'DST Game Port'
sudo ufw allow 10998/udp comment 'DST Auth Port'
sudo ufw allow 10900/udp comment 'DST Cave Port'
sudo ufw allow 27016:27017/udp comment 'DST Steam Query'

FirewallD (CentOS/RHEL):

sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=10999/udp
sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=10998/udp
sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=10900/udp
sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=27016-27017/udp
sudo firewall-cmd --reload

iptables:

iptables -A INPUT -p udp --dport 10999 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p udp --dport 10998 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p udp --dport 10900 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p udp -m multiport --dports 27016:27017 -j ACCEPT

⚙️ Installation & Setup

System Requirements

OS: Linux (Ubuntu 18.04+, Debian 9+, CentOS 7+) or Windows Server 2012+
CPU: 2+ cores @ 2.0GHz recommended
RAM: 1GB minimum, 2GB+ recommended (4GB+ with caves)
Disk: 2GB for game files, additional space for saves
Network: Stable connection, 5Mbps+ bandwidth

Installation via SteamCMD (Linux)

Install SteamCMD:
sudo apt-get install steamcmd # Debian/Ubuntu sudo yum install steamcmd # CentOS/RHEL
Run SteamCMD and install DST server:
steamcmd +login anonymous +force_install_dir /home/steam/dst +app_update 343050 validate +quit
Generate Server Token: Visit Klei Account Portal to create a server token
Create cluster configuration: Navigate to ~/.klei/DoNotStarveTogether/ and create cluster folder

Installation via SteamCMD (Windows)

Download SteamCMD from Valve's website
Extract to C:\steamcmd\
Run: steamcmd +login anonymous +force_install_dir C:\dst +app_update 343050 validate +quit
Generate server token from Klei portal
Create cluster in %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Klei\DoNotStarveTogether\

📝 Configuration

Cluster Structure

DST uses a cluster-based configuration system:

~/.klei/DoNotStarveTogether/MyCluster/
├── cluster.ini           # Main cluster config
├── cluster_token.txt     # Server token from Klei
├── Master/               # Overworld shard
│   ├── server.ini
│   ├── worldgenoverride.lua
│   └── modoverrides.lua
└── Caves/                # Cave shard (optional)
    ├── server.ini
    ├── worldgenoverride.lua
    └── modoverrides.lua

cluster.ini Example

[GAMEPLAY]
game_mode = survival  # survival, endless, or wilderness
max_players = 16
pvp = false
pause_when_empty = true

[NETWORK]
cluster_description = My Don't Starve Together Server
cluster_name = MyDSTServer
cluster_intention = cooperative  # cooperative, competitive, social, or madness
cluster_password =  # Leave blank for public

[MISC]
console_enabled = true
max_snapshots = 6  # Number of save backups

Master/server.ini Example (Overworld)

[NETWORK]
server_port = 10999

[SHARD]
is_master = true
name = Master
id = 1

[STEAM]
master_server_port = 27016
authentication_port = 10998

Caves/server.ini Example (Cave Shard)

[NETWORK]
server_port = 10900

[SHARD]
is_master = false
name = Caves
id = 2
master_ip = 127.0.0.1
master_port = 10999

[STEAM]
master_server_port = 27017
authentication_port = 10897

World Generation (worldgenoverride.lua)

return {
    override_enabled = true,
    preset = "SURVIVAL_TOGETHER",  -- or SURVIVAL_TOGETHER_CLASSIC, SURVIVAL_DEFAULT_PLUS
    overrides = {
        -- World Size
        world_size = "default",  -- small, medium, default, huge
        
        -- Season Settings
        autumn = "default",  -- noseason, veryshortseason, shortseason, default, longseason, verylongseason, random
        winter = "default",
        spring = "default",
        summer = "default",
        
        -- Resources
        carrots = "default",  -- never, rare, uncommon, default, often, mostly, always, insane
        berrybush = "default",
        grass = "default",
        saplings = "default",
        trees = "default",
        
        -- Mobs
        beefaloheat = "default",
        beefalo = "default",
        spiders = "default",
        hounds = "default",
        
        -- Difficulty
        season_start = "default",  -- autumn, winter, spring, summer
        day = "default",  -- default, longday, longdusk, longnight, noday, nodusk, nonight, onlyday, onlydusk, onlynight
        
        -- Boss Locations
        bearger = "default",
        deerclops = "default",
        goosemoose = "default",
        dragonfly = "default",
        
        -- Special Settings
        specialevent = "default",  -- none, default, auto
        touchstone = "default",
        
        -- Custom Settings
        task_set = "default",  -- default, classic
    }
}

Mod Configuration (modoverrides.lua)

return {
    -- Example: Global Positions mod
    ["workshop-378160973"] = { enabled = true },
    
    -- Example: Simple Health Bar
    ["workshop-1207269058"] = { enabled = true },
    
    -- Mods use Workshop IDs from Steam Workshop
}

🚀 Startup Parameters

Parameter	Description	Example
-console	Enable console commands	-console
-cluster	Specify cluster name/path	-cluster MyCluster
-shard	Specify which shard to run	-shard Master
-monitor_parent_process	Monitor parent and exit if it dies	-monitor_parent_process ####
-persistent_storage_root	Set save directory	-persistent_storage_root /path/to/saves
-conf_dir	Configuration directory	-conf_dir DoNotStarveTogether

Example Startup Command (Linux - Master/Overworld)

cd /home/steam/dst/bin
./dontstarve_dedicated_server_nullrenderer -console -cluster MyCluster -shard Master

Example Startup Command (Linux - Caves)

cd /home/steam/dst/bin
./dontstarve_dedicated_server_nullrenderer -console -cluster MyCluster -shard Caves

Example Startup Script (Linux - Both Shards)

#!/bin/bash
cd /home/steam/dst/bin

# Start Master (Overworld)
screen -dmS dst-master ./dontstarve_dedicated_server_nullrenderer -console -cluster MyCluster -shard Master

# Wait for master to initialize
sleep 10

# Start Caves
screen -dmS dst-caves ./dontstarve_dedicated_server_nullrenderer -console -cluster MyCluster -shard Caves

🔧 Troubleshooting

Server Not Appearing in Browser

Issue: Server not visible in game browser.

Solutions:

Verify cluster_token.txt contains valid token from Klei
Check UDP ports 10999 and 10998 are open
Ensure cluster_intention is set in cluster.ini
Try direct connect using IP:PORT
Check server logs in cluster folder

Cave Connection Issues

Issue: Players cannot travel to caves.

Solutions:

Verify both Master and Caves shards are running
Ensure master_ip and master_port are correct in Caves/server.ini
Check shard ports don't conflict
Review both shard logs for connection errors
Ensure firewall allows cave shard port (10900)

Server Crashes on Startup

Issue: Dedicated server crashes immediately.

Solutions:

Check cluster/Master/server_log.txt for errors
Verify cluster_token.txt exists and has valid token
Ensure cluster.ini syntax is correct
Validate game files via SteamCMD
Check worldgenoverride.lua for syntax errors

Mod Loading Issues

Issue: Mods not loading or causing crashes.

Solutions:

Verify mod Workshop IDs are correct in modoverrides.lua
Ensure mods are server-compatible (not client-only)
Check dedicated_server_mods_setup.lua in mods/ folder
Disable mods one at a time to identify conflicts
Update mods via SteamCMD

World Generation Fails

Issue: Server fails to generate world.

Solutions:

Check worldgenoverride.lua syntax (Lua format required)
Verify override settings are valid values
Try removing worldgenoverride.lua for default generation
Increase server RAM if generation times out
Review server_log.txt for generation errors

High Memory Usage

Issue: Server using excessive memory.

Solutions:

Reduce max_players if server is overloaded
Disable caves if not needed (saves RAM)
Reduce max_snapshots to save disk space
Check for memory leaks from mods
Consider regenerating old worlds

🎮 Game Modes & Features

Game Modes

Survival: Players respawn at portal, world persists on death
Endless: Easier mode with multiple respawns and resources
Wilderness: Permadeath mode, world resets on TPK (total party kill)

Core Features

Seasons: Autumn, Winter, Spring, Summer - each with unique challenges
Caves: Underground shard with unique resources and dangers
Character Selection: 20+ unique characters with different abilities
Crafting System: Extensive crafting and building mechanics
Sanity System: Mental health affects gameplay
Hunger/Health: Survival resource management

Boss Monsters

Deerclops: Winter boss
Bearger: Autumn boss
Moose/Goose: Spring boss
Dragonfly: Summer boss
Ancient Guardian: Cave boss
Bee Queen: Late game boss
Klaus: Winter event boss
Ancient Fuelweaver: Endgame boss

🗺️ World Types & Biomes

Overworld Biomes

Grasslands: Safe starting area with basic resources
Forest: Dense trees and renewable resources
Savanna: Beefalo herds and open spaces
Marsh: Tentacles and spiders, dangerous
Desert: Hot, limited resources, hounds
Rockyland: Rocky terrain with gold and flint
Mosaic: Mixed biome

Cave Biomes

Mushtree Forest: Underground mushroom biome
Rocky Plains: Cave spiders and minerals
Sinkhole: Entry/exit points
Ancient Ruins: Endgame area with Thulecite

Popular mods for Don't Starve Together (via Steam Workshop):

Global Positions (378160973): Show player positions on map
Simple Health Bar (1207269058): Health bars for mobs
Combined Status (376333686): Enhanced HUD information
Geometric Placement (351325790): Precise building placement
Wormhole Marks (362175979): Mark wormhole destinations

📚 Resources

SteamCMD: https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD
Server Token: Klei Account Portal
Steam Workshop: Mods and custom content
DST Wiki: Game mechanics and guides
Klei Forums: Official community and support

Important Notes

Server token required: Must generate token from Klei account portal
Supports up to 64 players but 4-16 recommended for performance
Caves require separate shard running simultaneously with Master
World generation can be customized extensively via worldgenoverride.lua
Seasons affect gameplay: Winter freezing, Summer overheating, etc.
Mods use Steam Workshop IDs (workshop-#########)
Server saves automatically and on shutdown
Regular backups recommended - world corruption possible
Console commands available for admin tasks
Co-op survival game with permadeath potential depending on game mode

Don't Starve Together Server Guide

📋 Quick Info

Server Specifications

🔌 Ports & Firewall Configuration

Firewall Examples

⚙️ Installation & Setup

System Requirements

Installation via SteamCMD (Linux)

Installation via SteamCMD (Windows)

📝 Configuration

Cluster Structure

cluster.ini Example

Master/server.ini Example (Overworld)

Caves/server.ini Example (Cave Shard)

World Generation (worldgenoverride.lua)

Mod Configuration (modoverrides.lua)

🚀 Startup Parameters

Example Startup Command (Linux - Master/Overworld)

Example Startup Command (Linux - Caves)

Example Startup Script (Linux - Both Shards)

🔧 Troubleshooting

Server Not Appearing in Browser

Cave Connection Issues

Server Crashes on Startup

Mod Loading Issues

World Generation Fails

High Memory Usage

🎮 Game Modes & Features

Game Modes

Core Features

Boss Monsters

🗺️ World Types & Biomes

Overworld Biomes

Cave Biomes

🔌 Related Mods & Plugins

📚 Resources

Important Notes