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Stardew Valley gameplay

Host a Stardew Valley Dedicated Server

Stardew Valley is a farming simulation RPG with cooperative multiplayer. Host a dedicated server so friends can join your farm anytime, even when you're offline. Requires SMAPI (Stardew Modding API) and server-side mods for headless operation. Supports up to 10 farmhands by default.

Skip the Setup — Deploy Nowor read the full guide below
RequirementsSetup GuideInstallation

Hardware Requirements

Here's what you need to run a Stardew Valley dedicated server.

Economy

Small farm, 1-4 players

CPU2 cores
RAM1 GB
Storage3 GB

Standard

Medium farm, 4-8 players

CPU3 cores
RAM2 GB
Storage3 GB

Pro

Large farm, 8-10 players with mods

CPU4 cores
RAM3 GB
Storage3 GB

Start hosting from your own computer

Run a Stardew Valley server on your desktop, laptop, VPS, or dedicated machine — GameCP automates Docker setup, resource allocation, and Stardew Valley 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

Sign up for free at gamecp.com. No credit card required. Your dashboard is ready in seconds.

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 Stardew Valley

Select "Stardew Valley" from the template library and hit deploy. GameCP handles SteamCMD (App ID: 413150), ports, startup commands, and all configuration automatically.

Includes pre-configured config.json. Uses the runtimes:stardew 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 1+ 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 Stardew Valley 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 Stardew Valley container image.

Server ConfigurationEdit values to update all commands
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 SERVER_NAME="GameCP Stardew Farm"
export MAX_PLAYERS="4"
export SLEEP_TIME="2200"
export FESTIVALS_ON="true"
export CLIENTS_CAN_PAUSE="false"
export PROFIT_MARGIN="100"
export AUTO_UPDATE="1"

# Pull the container image
docker pull ghcr.io/gamecp/runtimes:stardew
Step 2

Install Server Files via SteamCMD

Download the Stardew Valley dedicated server using Steam App ID 413150.

terminal
# Download Stardew Valley server files (App ID: 413150)
/opt/steamcmd/steamcmd.sh \
  +force_install_dir /opt/gameserver \
  +login ${STEAM_USER} \
  +app_update 413150 validate \
  +quit
Step 3

Open Firewall Ports

Stardew Valley requires 1 port to be open for game traffic and queries.

terminal
sudo ufw allow 24642/udp
24642/UDP(PORT)
Step 4

Launch the Server

Start the Stardew Valley server using the configuration from Step 1.

Create the startup script

terminal
# Create the startup script
cat > /opt/gameserver/start.sh << 'EOF'
#!/bin/bash
# Stardew Valley Dedicated Server

# Start Xvfb virtual display
rm -f /tmp/.X99-lock 2>/dev/null
Xvfb :99 -screen 0 884x515x24 -ac &
sleep 2
export DISPLAY=:99

# Self-heal: install SMAPI if missing
if [ ! -f ./StardewModdingAPI.deps.json ]; then
echo "SMAPI not properly installed, running installer..."
curl -sL "https://github.com/Pathoschild/SMAPI/releases/download/4.5.1/SMAPI-4.5.1-installer.zip" -o /tmp/smapi.zip
mkdir -p /tmp/smapi-install
unzip -qo /tmp/smapi.zip -d /tmp/smapi-install/

# Find the installer binary
INSTALLER=
INSTALLER_DIR=

if [ -n "" ]; then
chmod +x ""
cd ""

# Pipe input: 2=light text, game path, 1=install, Y=confirm
printf '2\n/home/container\n1\nY\n' | "" || true

cd /home/container
echo "SMAPI installer completed."
else
echo "ERROR: SMAPI.Installer not found"
exit 1
fi
rm -rf /tmp/smapi-install /tmp/smapi.zip

if [ -f ./StardewModdingAPI.deps.json ]; then
echo "SMAPI installed and verified."
else
echo "WARNING: SMAPI deps.json still missing after install."
fi
fi


# Clean up old broken mod folders (leftovers from previous installs)
[ -d "Mods/Always On Server" ] && [ ! -f "Mods/Always On Server/manifest.json" ] && rm -rf "Mods/Always On Server" && echo "Cleaned up old 'Always On Server' folder"
[ -d "Mods/UnlimitedPlayers" ] && [ ! -f "Mods/UnlimitedPlayers/manifest.json" ] && rm -rf "Mods/UnlimitedPlayers" && echo "Cleaned up old 'UnlimitedPlayers' folder"

# Install required mods if missing
if [ ! -f "Mods/AlwaysOnServer/manifest.json" ] || [ ! -f "Mods/ServerAutoLoad/manifest.json" ] || [ ! -f "Mods/AutoHideHost/manifest.json" ] || [ ! -f "Mods/SkillLevelGuard/manifest.json" ]; then
echo "Installing server mods..."
curl -sL "https://dl.gamecp.com/stardew/mods-pack-v3.zip" -o /tmp/mods.zip
if [ -f /tmp/mods.zip ]; then
mkdir -p Mods
unzip -qo /tmp/mods.zip -d Mods/
rm -f /tmp/mods.zip
echo "Server mods installed (AlwaysOnServer, ServerAutoLoad, AutoHideHost, SkillLevelGuard)."
fi
fi

# Self-heal: download default save if none exist
SAVES_DIR=".config/StardewValley/Saves"
mkdir -p ""
if [ -z "" ]; then
echo "Downloading default save..."
curl -sL "https://dl.gamecp.com/stardew/default-save-v2.zip" -o /tmp/save.zip
unzip -qo /tmp/save.zip -d "/"
rm -f /tmp/save.zip
echo "Default save installed."
fi

# Set up startup_preferences if missing
PREFS=".config/StardewValley/startup_preferences"
if [ ! -f "" ]; then
echo "Creating headless server config..."
cat > "" << 'PREFEOF'
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<StartupPreferences xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
<startMuted>false</startMuted>
<timesPlayed>2</timesPlayed>
<windowMode>0</windowMode>
<playerLimit>-1</playerLimit>
<fullscreenResolutionX>884</fullscreenResolutionX>
<fullscreenResolutionY>515</fullscreenResolutionY>
<lastEnteredIP />
<languageCode>en</languageCode>
<clientOptions>
<fullscreen>false</fullscreen>
<windowedBorderlessFullscreen>true</windowedBorderlessFullscreen>
<ipConnectionsEnabled>true</ipConnectionsEnabled>
<enableServer>true</enableServer>
<enableFarmhandCreation>true</enableFarmhandCreation>
<serverPrivacy>FriendsOnly</serverPrivacy>
<musicVolumeLevel>0</musicVolumeLevel>
<soundVolumeLevel>0</soundVolumeLevel>
<footstepVolumeLevel>0</footstepVolumeLevel>
<ambientVolumeLevel>0</ambientVolumeLevel>
<preferredResolutionX>884</preferredResolutionX>
<preferredResolutionY>515</preferredResolutionY>
</clientOptions>
</StartupPreferences>
PREFEOF
fi

echo "Starting Stardew Valley with SMAPI..."
chmod +x ./StardewModdingAPI
./StardewModdingAPI
EOF
chmod +x /opt/gameserver/start.sh

Run the container

terminal
docker run -d \
  --name stardew-valley-server \
  -p 24642:24642/udp \
  -e SERVER_NAME="GameCP Stardew Farm" \
  -e MAX_PLAYERS="4" \
  -e SLEEP_TIME="2200" \
  -e FESTIVALS_ON="true" \
  -e CLIENTS_CAN_PAUSE="false" \
  -e PROFIT_MARGIN="100" \
  -e AUTO_UPDATE="1" \
  -v /opt/gameserver:/opt/gameserver \
  -w /opt/gameserver \
  ghcr.io/gamecp/runtimes:stardew \
  ./start.sh

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 Stardew Valley server in under 5 minutes.

Deploy with GameCP

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Ready to Host Your Stardew Valley Server?

Install GameCP on your own computer and start hosting in minutes. Automatic port forwarding, zero config — your friends connect instantly.

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No credit card required · Free tier available · Install local, scale later

Host Stardew Valley from your own computer. Automatic port forwarding. Zero config.

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