Setting Up a Project Zomboid Server

Step 1 — Install SteamCMD

add-apt-repository multiverse -y
dpkg --add-architecture i386
apt update
apt install steamcmd -y

Step 2 — Download Server Files

adduser steam && su - steam
steamcmd +force_install_dir ~/pzserver +login anonymous +app_update 380870 validate +quit

Step 3 — First Run (Generates Config Files)

cd ~/pzserver
./start-server.sh -servername myserver

When prompted to set a password for the admin account, enter one. Then stop the server with Ctrl+C.

Step 4 — Configure the Server

nano ~/Zomboid/Server/myserver.ini

Key settings:

MaxPlayers=16
PublicName=My PZ Server
PublicDescription=Welcome!
Password=serverpassword
PVP=false
Mods=
Map=Muldraugh, KY

Step 5 — Open Firewall Ports

ufw allow 16261/udp
ufw allow 16262/udp

Step 6 — Start the Server

screen -S pz ~/pzserver/start-server.sh -servername myserver

Installing Steam Workshop Mods

In the server config, add mod Workshop IDs to WorkshopItems= and mod names to Mods=. The server downloads mods automatically on next start.