Host a Don't Starve Together Dedicated Server

Don't Starve Together is the standalone multiplayer expansion of the uncompromising wilderness survival game full of science and magic. Cooperate with your friends in a world generated just for you, or brave the Caves alone.

Skip the Setup — Deploy Now or read the full guide below

Requirements Setup Guide Installation

Hardware Requirements

Here's what you need to run a Don't Starve Together dedicated server.

Economy

Small co-op, 1-6 players

CPU0.25 cores

RAM1 GB

Storage3 GB

Standard

Full server, 6-16 players

CPU0.5 cores

RAM2 GB

Storage3 GB

Pro

Large server with many mods, 16-64 players

CPU1 core

RAM4 GB

Storage3 GB

Start hosting from your own computer

Run a Don't Starve Together server on your desktop, laptop, VPS, or dedicated machine — GameCP automates Docker setup, resource allocation, and Don't Starve Together configuration instantly. Automatic port forwarding means your friends can connect without touching your router. Start local, scale to a VPS when you're ready.

Get Started FreeNo credit card required

Setup in 4 Steps

Skip the manual SteamCMD installation, port forwarding, and systemd configuration. Install on your own computer and start hosting instantly.

Step 01

Create a GameCP Account

GameCP gives you a full control panel with Docker containerization, file management, automatic port forwarding, and automatic updates — all built in.

Step 02

Connect Your Hardware

Install GameCP on your own desktop, laptop, VPS, or dedicated machine. One-line install — no SSH expertise needed.

GameCP installs Docker, configures networking, and sets up automatic port forwarding so your friends can connect instantly. Start hosting from your own PC and scale to a VPS later. Supports Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Step 03

Deploy Don't Starve Together

Select "Don't Starve Together" from the template library and hit deploy. GameCP handles SteamCMD (App ID: 343050), ports, startup commands, and all configuration automatically.

Includes pre-configured cluster.ini, server.ini, server.ini. Uses the games:source image. ~3 GB storage.

Step 04

Start Playing

Hit start and share your server address. Automatic port forwarding handles the rest — no router config needed.

GameCP monitors your server health and provides live logs from your browser. Your friends connect using the address GameCP gives you.

The Manual Way vs. GameCP

Manual Setup

✗Install SteamCMD manually
✗Configure 3+ firewall ports and router settings
✗Write systemd service files
✗SSH into server to edit configs
✗Requires a VPS or dedicated server
✗30-60 minutes if experienced

With GameCP

One-click SteamCMD install
Automatic port forwarding — no router config
Host from your own PC, VPS, or dedicated server
Docker container with auto-restart
Visual config editor in browser
Under 5 minutes total

Under the Hood

The full manual process to host a Don't Starve Together dedicated server on a VPS. Or install GameCP on your own computer and skip all of this.

Step 1

Configure & Prepare

Set your server settings, then install Docker, SteamCMD, and pull the Don't Starve Together container image.

Server ConfigurationEdit values to update all commands

Server NameServer name displayed in the server browser

Pause When EmptyPause the server when no players are connected (sa...

Server IntentionServer play style shown in the server browser

Vote KickAllow players to vote kick other players

Game ModeGame mode determines how death and respawning work...

PvPEnable Player vs Player combat

Klei Server TokenRequired Klei Server Token. Generate one from the ...

Server PasswordPassword required to join the server. Leave empty ...

Tick RateServer tick rate (updates per second). Default 15 ...

Auto UpdateAutomatically update server files on restart

terminal

# Update system and install Docker
sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y docker.io
sudo systemctl enable --now docker

# Create game server directory
sudo mkdir -p /opt/gameserver

# Install SteamCMD
sudo mkdir -p /opt/steamcmd
curl -sqL "https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz" | sudo tar zxvf - -C /opt/steamcmd

# Server configuration
export PAUSE_WHEN_EMPTY="true"
export SERVER_INTENTION="social"
export VOTE_KICK="false"
export GAME_MODE="survival"
export PVP_ENABLED="false"
export TICK_RATE="15"
export AUTO_UPDATE="1"

# Pull the container image
docker pull ghcr.io/ptero-eggs/games:source

Step 2

Install Server Files via SteamCMD

Download the Don't Starve Together dedicated server using Steam App ID 343050.

terminal

# Download Don't Starve Together server files (App ID: 343050)
/opt/steamcmd/steamcmd.sh \
  +force_install_dir /opt/gameserver \
  +login ${STEAM_USER} \
  +app_update 343050 validate \
  +quit

Step 3

Open Firewall Ports

Don't Starve Together requires 3 ports to be open for game traffic and queries.

terminal

sudo ufw allow 10999/udp
sudo ufw allow 11000/udp
sudo ufw allow 27016/udp

10999/UDP(PORT)11000/UDP(DST_CAVES_PORT)27016/UDP(QUERY_PORT)

Step 4

Launch the Server

Start the Don't Starve Together server using the configuration from Step 1.

terminal

docker run -d \
  --name dont-starve-together-server \
  -p 10999:10999/udp \
  -p 11000:11000/udp \
  -p 27016:27016/udp \
  -e PAUSE_WHEN_EMPTY="true" \
  -e SERVER_INTENTION="social" \
  -e VOTE_KICK="false" \
  -e GAME_MODE="survival" \
  -e PVP_ENABLED="false" \
  -e TICK_RATE="15" \
  -e AUTO_UPDATE="1" \
  -v /opt/gameserver:/opt/gameserver \
  -w /opt/gameserver \
  ghcr.io/ptero-eggs/games:source \
  cd bin64 && coproc caves ( ./dontstarve_dedicated_server_nullrenderer_x64 -shard Caves -bind_ip 127.0.0.1 -port -steam_master_server_port 27100 -steam_authentication_port 8767 -persistent_storage_root /home/container/DoNotStarveTogether -conf_dir config -cluster server -players ); ./dontstarve_dedicated_server_nullrenderer_x64 -shard Master -bind_ip 0.0.0.0 -port 10999 -steam_master_server_port 27016 -steam_authentication_port 8766 -persistent_storage_root /home/container/DoNotStarveTogether -conf_dir config -cluster server -players && echo 'c_shutdown()' >&"[1]}"

Alternative startup profiles:

Master Only (No Caves) — Starts only the Master shard without Caves

GameCP lets you switch between these profiles with one click.

Or skip all of this

GameCP automates every step above: Docker, SteamCMD, port forwarding, startup, and config. Install on your own PC and deploy a Don't Starve Together server in under 5 minutes.

Deploy with GameCP