Scripts in the Programmable Block run only when Programmable block scripts (EnableIngameScripts) is on. You find it in the Config Editor, on the World settings tab, in the Players group. Turn it on or off with the server stopped. It applies at the next start.
A Programmable Block is a block that runs a small program written by a player. That program is a script.
Turn scripts on or off
World settings are saved only while the server is stopped, because the game writes this file itself when it stops.
- Stop the server. A normal stop saves the world.
- Open Config Editor and choose the World settings tab. Its name ends with your world’s name.
- Scroll to the Players group (1), or type “script” in the Search box.
- Switch Programmable block scripts on or off.
- Press Save in the bar at the bottom, then start the server.
- Players group
Let only some players edit scripts
The row below it is Only Scripters may run scripts (EnableScripterRole). Keen Software House, the game’s makers, describes it as adding a Scripter role, where only that role or higher can use the Edit button on a Programmable Block.
Ranks run from lowest to highest: Scripter, Moderator, Space Master, Admin. Every rank above Scripter has Scripter rights too.
To give a player the rank:
- Open the Players page.
- Open the three-dots menu on the player’s row and choose Change rank.
- In Rank, choose Scripter (1).
- Press Change.
- Scripter
Change rank needs the panel tools, a plugin (an add-on the server loads) that the panel adds. See panel tools. Not checked with a player on 1.210 as of 15 November 2026: what a Scripter sees in game.
The game’s errors
When a player tries to use a Programmable Block, the game answers in its own words:
- “This world has disabled scripts.” Programmable block scripts is off. Turn it on and restart.
- “This world is not in experimental mode.” The world is not experimental. Scripts need it, and the game normally turns it on by itself when scripts are on. If you see this, check that Programmable block scripts is on and that the server was restarted.
If a player pastes a blueprint with scripts and lacks the rights, the game says some scripts were removed because they do not have Scripter permissions.
Turning experimental mode off again
Scripts are one reason a world is experimental. Others exist: the panel tools, Block limits on None, a limit past the game’s safe range, and the world’s own Experimental mode row. A new server has scripts on and Block limits on None, so switching one off is not enough while another reason stays. To see which reasons are left, read the Console: the line Experimental mode: after Loading session, and the reason line under it. See turn off Experimental mode.
If it does not work
- The Save button is greyed out. The server is not offline. Stop it first.
- There is no World settings tab. A new server shows only Passwords and Server settings until it has started twice: the first start makes the world, the next start names it as the world that loads. Start it again (or restart it), then stop it to change world settings. The same happens after Make it at the next start on the World page. Use this world shows the tab at once.
- Players cannot join. They need Experimental mode on. In the game it is under Options, Game, then General. A player inside a world must go back to the main screen first.
- A friend cannot edit a script that works for me. Only Scripters may run scripts is on and the friend has no rank. Not checked: whether scripts already in a block keep running for everyone.
More about the game: Space Engineers servers on Loafhosts.
Sources: spaceengineers.wiki.gg: World Settings, spaceengineers.wiki.gg: SessionSettings, spaceengineers.wiki.gg: Experimental mode, spaceengineers.wiki.gg: Multiplayer Screen