Install Sons of the Forest Dedicated Server with SteamCMD

Installing Sons of the Forest with SteamCMD

SteamCMD can download and update the Sons of the Forest dedicated-server app without a full desktop Steam client. The dedicated-server app ID is 2465200, separate from the game app 1326470. For the complete first boot, continue to the SOTF setup guide.

Install SteamCMD

Download SteamCMD from Valve and extract it to a folder you control. On Windows, for example:

1. Download SteamCMD from Valve's documentation.
2. Extract it to C:\steamcmd.
3. Run steamcmd.exe once so it can update itself.

Linux support and the available executable depend on the current server distribution and host image. Verify that your chosen environment supports the SOTF dedicated server before publishing a Linux command as universal.

Install or update the server

C:\steamcmd\steamcmd.exe +force_install_dir "C:\servers\sotf" +login anonymous +app_update 2465200 validate +quit

validate checks the downloaded files and replaces missing or damaged files. Run the update with the server stopped and keep a backup of the user-data directory first.

Start the installed server

Run StartSOTFDedicated.bat from the installed server directory. The first boot creates the user-data directory containing dedicatedserver.cfg, saves, and ownerswhitelist.txt. See the JSON configuration reference before editing anything.

Repeatable update checklist

1. Read the newest official Steam announcement.
2. Tell players about downtime and required client compatibility.
3. Stop the server and back up the complete SonsOfTheForestDS data directory.
4. Run the same SteamCMD command with app 2465200.
5. Start the server, load the world privately, and test a join before reopening it.

Troubleshooting

• Install goes to the wrong place: use an explicit +force_install_dir and check the service's working directory.
• Validation repeats: check disk space, permissions, and storage errors.
• Server starts but players cannot join: check UDP 8766, 27016, and 9700 in the port guide.
• Config changes disappear: confirm the active -userdatapath and edit its dedicatedserver.cfg.

Important administration limit

The official SOTF dedicated-server documentation does not provide an RCON interface. Do not add /shutdown, RCON passwords, or an INI file to an update script unless a future official build documents them.

Official references

• Official SOTF dedicated-server guide
• Valve SteamCMD documentation

Prefer one-click updates? Host Sons of the Forest with Supercraft.