Terraria server Startup settings explained

The Startup page holds the settings a Terraria server reads when it starts. Change one, then restart the server. Nothing on this page changes a server that is already running.

The page shows twelve settings. The thirteenth, the join password, is not here: the page points you to Passwords in the Config Editor (1). The picture shows that note and Server software (2).

12

The picture shows the top of the list. The rest follows below it on the same page: Update at start, World, and on down to Message of the day.

What each setting does

• Server software: which program runs the world: vanilla (the game’s own server), tshock or tmodloader. Change it on the World page, which explains each choice and asks first. See change the server software.
• Terraria version: used by Vanilla only. latest, or a version such as 1.4.5.8. Players need the same version as the server.
• TShock version: used by TShock only. latest, or a release such as v6.2.1.
• tModLoader version: used by tModLoader only. latest is the monthly stable release, or a release such as v2026.09.3.1.
• Update at start: 1 brings the server software up to the version set above at every start. 0 keeps what is installed. It is on by default.
• World: the world the server plays, from the worlds folder. Use letters, digits, spaces, _, - and ', up to 27 characters. A name not used yet makes a new world at the next start.
• World size: for a new world only. 1 small, 2 medium, 3 large.
• Difficulty: for a new world only. 0 classic, 1 expert, 2 master, 3 journey.
• Seed: for a new world only. Empty gives a random world. It can also hold one of the game’s special seeds.
• World evil: for a new world only. Corruption or crimson. Only TShock follows it. The other programs choose at random.
• Max players: how many players can be on at once, from 1 to 255. See change max players.
• Message of the day: shown to each player who joins. One line, up to 120 characters.

A new server starts with Vanilla, a world called World, medium size, classic difficulty, no seed and 8 players. A server made from a plan starts with that plan’s player limit.

Change a setting

1. Open Startup.
2. Edit the value you want.
3. Choose Save above the list.
4. Restart the server from the buttons at the top of the page. The new value is used from that start.

The join password

The page shows a note: “This server’s passwords (Server password) are kept with its other settings now.” Choose Open Passwords on the Config Editor to set the Server password. A new server has no join password. See the join password guide.

World settings and an existing world

World size, Difficulty, Seed and World evil matter only when a world is made. If the world named in World already exists, the server plays it as it is and these four do nothing to it.

To start a fresh world, give World a name you have not used. Or use New world on the World page, which fills these settings for you.

If it does not work

• A change did not show. The server was not restarted after the change. Restart it.
• The server made a new empty world. The name in World has no file in worlds. Check the spelling, or choose the world again on the World page.
• Players cannot join after an update. On Vanilla, the Terraria version must match the players’ game. Update at start is on by default: check that it is on and that Terraria version says latest, then restart.

More about the game: Terraria servers.

Sources: terraria.wiki.gg: Server

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