How to Set Up a Project Zomboid Server and Tune Performance

How to Set Up a Project Zomboid Server and Tune Performance

A Project Zomboid server runs a heavier simulation than it looks like from the outside. This guide covers the install, the memory setting and the sandbox options that decide performance.

1. Preparing the System

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo apt install -y openjdk-17-jre-headless curl tar
sudo useradd -m -s /bin/bash pz
sudo su - pz

2. SteamCMD and the Server Files

The App ID for the Project Zomboid dedicated server is 380870:

mkdir -p ~/steamcmd && cd ~/steamcmd
curl -sqL "https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz" | tar zxvf -
./steamcmd.sh +force_install_dir ~/pz-server +login anonymous +app_update 380870 validate +quit

3. First Run

cd ~/pz-server
./start-server.sh

On the first launch the server asks for an admin password. After that step the configuration files are created:

~/Zomboid/Server/servertest.ini
~/Zomboid/Server/servertest_SandboxVars.lua

4. Memory Settings: the Step That Matters Most

The default memory allocation is too low for most servers. Edit the JVM parameters:

-Xmx8g -Xms8g

⚠️ Keep -Xmx below the server’s total memory. Handing all of it to the JVM means the server dies abruptly the moment system memory gets tight.

5. Server Settings

The options people change most often in servertest.ini:

PublicName=Your Server Name
Public=true
MaxPlayers=32
PingLimit=400
PauseEmpty=true

PauseEmpty=true freezes the simulation when nobody is online and cuts resource usage substantially.

6. Installing Mods

Add the Workshop IDs and mod names on two separate lines:

Mods=ModName1;ModName2
WorkshopItems=2392709985;2169435993

The server downloads the mods itself at startup. Players need the same mods installed.

7. Sandbox Settings That Affect Performance

Three settings in servertest_SandboxVars.lua determine performance directly:

If your server stutters, try lowering the zombie population before you buy bigger hardware. In most cases that alone fixes it.

8. Backups

tar czf /backup/pz_$(date +%F).tar.gz ~/Zomboid/Saves

Every visited region is stored permanently, so the save directory grows into gigabytes over time. Plan your backup strategy with that in mind.

Conclusion

Performance in Project Zomboid comes down to two settings: a sensible JVM memory limit and a reasonable zombie population. On the hardware side, what matters is the single core speed of the game server package you pick.

👉 See our Project Zomboid server hosting page to match a package.