The Forest server.cfg: Max Players, Difficulty and Save Slot
The Forest dedicated server reads a space-separated server.cfg. The common mistakes are editing the wrong file, using key=value INI syntax, or confusing initType with a made-up gameMode setting.
Where is server.cfg?
On Windows, the official guide places it at:
C:\Users\<user>\AppData\LocalLow\SKS\TheForestDedicatedServer\ds\Server.cfgOpen the file generated by the dedicated server and make a dated backup before editing. A hosting panel may expose the same file through its file manager.
Correct syntax
serverName My Forest Server
serverPlayers 8
difficulty Normal
initType Continue
slot 1Use one directive per line and a space between the key and value. Do not convert it to JSON or add equals signs.
Settings that matter
| Directive | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
serverName | Name shown to players. | serverName My Forest Server |
serverPlayers | Configured concurrent player count. | serverPlayers 8 |
difficulty | World difficulty preset. | difficulty Normal |
initType | Initialise a new world or continue the selected save. | initType Continue |
slot | Save slot used by the server. | slot 1 |
serverPassword | Player join password. | serverPassword use-a-password |
serverPasswordAdmin | Admin password used by supported admin controls. | serverPasswordAdmin use-a-separate-password |
serverGamePort | Game traffic port. | serverGamePort 27015 |
serverQueryPort | Query/browser port. | serverQueryPort 27016 |
Example private server
serverIP 0.0.0.0
serverSteamPort 8766
serverGamePort 27015
serverQueryPort 27016
serverName My Forest Server
serverPlayers 8
serverPassword change-this
serverPasswordAdmin change-this-admin
difficulty Normal
initType Continue
slot 1
showLogs trueChange difficulty or start a new world
Change difficulty for the preset exposed by the server build. Use initType and slot for new/continued world initialisation; do not overwrite a long-running world without a backup. Restart the dedicated server after editing and verify the selected save.
Ports and command-line overrides
Open TCP and UDP 8766, 27015, and 27016 as described in the port guide. The official server guide notes that command-line arguments can override config values, so inspect the launch script if an edit appears not to apply.
Common gotchas
- Wrong filename: the official path is
Server.cfg; case and provider file mapping can matter. - Wrong syntax: use spaces, not
key=value. - Wrong setting names: use
initType,slot,serverPassword, andserverPasswordAdmin, not generic aliases. - Wrong server: check the working directory and confirm the process uses the file you edited.
Official reference
Verify directives and current values in the official The Forest dedicated-server guide.
Want these settings exposed through a panel? Host The Forest with Supercraft.