Set up an Enshrouded dedicated server

The Enshrouded dedicated server runs on Windows. It keeps your world online without anyone hosting from their game. Keen recommends 6 CPU cores, 16 GB of memory and 30 GB of free disk space for 4–6 players; the server itself uses about 4.5–6 GB of memory.

1. Install the server

In your Steam library, turn on Tools and install Enshrouded Dedicated Server. It comes with the game. Or download it with SteamCMD (Steam app 2278520):

steamcmd +force_install_dir C:\enshrouded-server +login anonymous ^
  +app_update 2278520 validate +quit

Linux is not supported by Keen; the Windows server can run under Wine or Proton, which is what HostForge does.

2. Start it once

1. Open the server folder and run enshrouded_server.exe (not Steam's Launch button).
2. Wait until the window shows [Session] 'HostOnline' (up)!. The server has created enshrouded_server.json and a new world in the savegame folder.
3. Stop it with Ctrl + C so it saves.

3. Set a name and passwords

Open enshrouded_server.json next to the .exe in a text editor:

• name: the name in the server list.
• slotCount: players, 1 to 16.
• userGroups: one password per role. The password a player types decides what they may do. See passwords and roles.
• gameSettingsPreset: the difficulty. See every setting.

Save the file and start the server again.

4. Open the port

• The server uses one port, the queryPort: 15637 UDP by default.
• Allow it through Windows Firewall.
• At home, forward it from your router to the server's local IP address.

5. Join

In Enshrouded, choose Play › Join › Search by IPv4 / Domain, enter your public IP address and port as IP:15637, then a password. More in joining a server by IP.

Keeping it running

• Players can only join a server on their game version. After an Enshrouded update, update the server (Steam or SteamCMD) and restart it.
• The server saves every few minutes into savegame. Copy that folder now and then as a backup.

On HostForge

Skip all of this

Pick Enshrouded, a name and a region, and start it. HostForge runs the server, opens the port, prepares each new game version so a restart moves you onto it, and backs the world up every day. You get an address and passwords to share.