Host a Enshrouded Dedicated Server

Enshrouded is a game of survival, crafting, and Action RPG combat, set within a sprawling voxel-based continent. As you journey across the mountains and deserts of an open world, you are free to choose your path and shape your destiny.

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 Enshrouded dedicated server.

Economy

Small adventure, 1-4 players

CPU0.5 cores

RAM4 GB

Storage15 GB SSD

Standard

Group server, 4-8 players

CPU1 core

RAM8 GB

Storage15 GB SSD

Pro

Full server, 8-16 players

CPU2 cores

RAM16 GB

Storage15 GB SSD

Start hosting from your own computer

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

Select "Enshrouded" from the template library and hit deploy. GameCP handles SteamCMD (App ID: 2278520), ports, startup commands, and all configuration automatically.

Includes pre-configured enshrouded_server.json, enshrouded_server.json. Uses the steamcmd:proton image. ~15 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 2+ 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 Enshrouded 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 Enshrouded container image.

Server ConfigurationEdit values to update all commands

Server NameServer name displayed in the server browser

Max PlayersMaximum number of concurrent players

Admin Group PasswordPassword for the Admin user-group. Players using t...

Friend Group PasswordPassword for the Friend user-group. Players get in...

Guest Group PasswordPassword for the Guest user-group. Players get lim...

Visitor Group PasswordPassword for the Visitor user-group. Most restrict...

Auto UpdateAutomatically update the server on startup

Validate FilesValidate server files through Steam on startup

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 MAX_PLAYERS="16"
export AUTO_UPDATE="1"
export VALIDATE="0"

# Pull the container image
docker pull ghcr.io/ptero-eggs/steamcmd:proton

Step 2

Install Server Files via SteamCMD

Download the Enshrouded dedicated server using Steam App ID 2278520.

terminal

# Download Enshrouded server files (App ID: 2278520)
/opt/steamcmd/steamcmd.sh \
  +force_install_dir /opt/gameserver \
  +login anonymous \
  +app_update 2278520 validate \
  +quit

Step 3

Open Firewall Ports

Enshrouded requires 2 ports to be open for game traffic and queries.

terminal

sudo ufw allow 15636/both
sudo ufw allow 15637/udp

15636/BOTH(PORT)15637/UDP(QUERY_PORT)

Step 4

Launch the Server

Start the Enshrouded server using the configuration from Step 1.

Create the startup script

terminal

# Create the startup script
cat > /opt/gameserver/start.sh << 'EOF'
#!/bin/bash

# 1. Prepare Logs
mkdir -p ./logs
touch ./logs/enshrouded_server.log

# 2. Setup Proton Environment
export HOME=/home/container
export STEAM_COMPAT_CLIENT_INSTALL_PATH="/home/container"
export STEAM_COMPAT_DATA_PATH="/home/container/steamapps/compatdata/2278520"

# 3. Create Compat Data Path
mkdir -p ""

# 4. Check for binary existence
if [ ! -f "./enshrouded_server.exe" ]; then
echo "CRITICAL ERROR: enshrouded_server.exe not found!"
exit 1
fi

# 5. Launch with LD_PRELOAD fix
LD_PRELOAD="" proton run ./enshrouded_server.exe &
ENS_PID=$!

# 6. Monitor and Tail
tail -c0 -F ./logs/enshrouded_server.log --pid=
EOF
chmod +x /opt/gameserver/start.sh

Run the container

terminal

docker run -d \
  --name enshrouded-server \
  -p 15636:15636/both \
  -p 15637:15637/udp \
  -e MAX_PLAYERS="16" \
  -e AUTO_UPDATE="1" \
  -e VALIDATE="0" \
  -v /opt/gameserver:/opt/gameserver \
  -w /opt/gameserver \
  ghcr.io/ptero-eggs/steamcmd:proton \
  ./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 Enshrouded server in under 5 minutes.

Deploy with GameCP