---
title: "Getting started with your Sons of the Forest server"
description: "Configure dedicatedserver.cfg files, unlock custom game modes, assign admin permissions, and manage SaveSlot directories and mods."
url: "https://www.gameserverkings.com/knowledge-base/sons-of-the-forest/getting-started-with-your-server/"
category: "Sons of the Forest"
category_url: "https://www.gameserverkings.com/knowledge-base/sons-of-the-forest/"
published: "2026-07-24T01:28:01.726Z"
updated: "2026-08-07T20:40:01.118Z"
source_format: "markdown"
site: "GameServerKings"
---

# Getting started with your Sons of the Forest server

Sons of the Forest is the sequel to The Forest, a survival horror game with co-op play. Dedicated server support is built in.

## First Boot

1. Open your Sons of the Forest server in the panel.

2. Click **Start**.

3. First boot pulls the dedicated server (about 18 GB), which takes 15 to 25 minutes.

4. Watch for `Server is up and running on port ...` in the console.

To connect: in-game, **Multiplayer** > **Dedicated Servers**, find yours by name or direct-connect.

## Configuration: dedicatedserver.cfg

The config file is at the server root: `dedicatedserver.cfg`. JSON format:

```json title="dedicatedserver.cfg"
{
  "ServerName": "My GSK SOTF Server",
  "MaxPlayers": 8,
  "Password": "",
  "LANOnly": false,
  "SaveSlot": 1,
  "SaveMode": "Continue",
  "GameMode": "Normal",
  "AutoSaveIntervalMinutes": 10,
  "ServerSteamPort": 8766,
  "GamePort": 8770,
  "QueryPort": 27016,
  "Difficulty": "Normal",
  "Enemies": "Default",
  "BuildingDestruction": "Default",
  "PlayerCollision": "Default",
  "AllowEnemiesCreativeMode": "Default",
  "ConsumableEffects": "Default",
  "ReducedFoodInContainers": "Default",
  "PvP": false,
  "SinglePlayerCutscenes": false
}
```

> [!IMPORTANT] Three ports, and all three are assigned to you
> Sons of the Forest wants a game port, a Steam port and a query port, and the panel allocates all three together — usually as consecutive numbers rather than the 8766/8770/27016 spread Endnight ships as defaults. Your **Network** tab is the source of truth for the set. Copying the example numbers into your own config advertises ports that were never opened, which is how a server ends up looking fine in the console and still never appearing under **Dedicated Servers**.

| Setting | Notes |
|---------|-------|
| ServerName | Browser display name |
| MaxPlayers | Up to 8 |
| Password | Empty for public |
| SaveSlot | 1 to 5 (different save slots) |
| SaveMode | Continue or New |
| GameMode | Normal, Hard, HardSurvival, Peaceful, Creative, Custom |
| Difficulty | Normal, Peaceful, Hard, HardSurvival |
| PvP | Friendly fire toggle |

Restart after editing.

## Custom Game Mode

For deeper customization, set `GameMode: "Custom"` and add a `Custom` block:

```json
"Custom": {
  "StartingSeason": "Summer",
  "SeasonLength": "Default",
  "DayLength": "Default",
  "EnemySpawn": true,
  "EnemyHealth": "Normal",
  "EnemyDamage": "Normal",
  "EnemyArmor": "Normal",
  "EnemyAggression": "Normal",
  "AnimalSpawnRate": "Normal",
  "StartingEquipment": "None",
  "StoryProgression": true,
  "GameType": "Standard",
  "PrecipitationFrequency": "Default",
  "ForestRegrowth": "Default"
}
```

## Admin Setup

Sons of the Forest does not have a separate in-game admin command system. Server management is primarily through the config file and the Console tab of your [Sons Of The Forest game server](/games/sons-of-the-forest/).

For command-line server management, the dedicated server reads commands from the console. Useful ones:

```title="Console commands"
stop                Stop the server
save                Save the game now
kick <playerID>     Kick a player
ban <playerID>      Ban a player
unban <playerID>    Unban
list                List connected players
help                Show all commands
```

## Save Management

Saves are at `Server/Saves/SaveSlot<N>/`. Each save slot has its own folder.

To upload a save from single-player:

1. Find your local save at `%LocalAppData%\SonsOfTheForest\Saves\<SteamID>\<Multiplayer or SinglePlayer>\`.

2. Upload the save folder to `Server/Saves/SaveSlot<N>/`.

3. Set `SaveSlot` in the config to that slot.

4. Set `SaveMode` to `Continue`.

5. Restart.

> [!CAUTION] Wiping means deleting the save slot folder
> To wipe, delete the save slot folder or change to an empty slot.

## Mods

As of the current dedicated server build, Sons of the Forest has limited modding support. The community has reverse-engineered some basics (RedLoader, BepInEx), but mods are primarily client-side cosmetic or QoL.

Server-side gameplay mods are not yet a stable ecosystem. Watch the modding scene on Nexus Mods (`nexusmods.com/sonsoftheforest`) and the modding Discord for updates.

> [!TIP] The most reliable approach
> Tune the Custom game mode settings rather than installing mods.

## Performance Tips

- Set `AutoSaveIntervalMinutes` to 10 (default). Lower causes save-related stutters.
- Disable PvP if your community is purely co-op.
- Restart daily; memory creep is noticeable over long uptimes.

## Backups

Save data is small (under 1 GB typically). The panel **Backups** tab covers it; daily snapshots minimum.

## Common Issues

- **Cannot connect**: Read the IP and port off the **Address** at the top left of your panel and have players use that exact pair. All three of the server's ports (game, query, Steam) come from your allocation, so check them on the **Network** tab rather than typing new numbers into `dedicatedserver.cfg`.
- **Server in browser but cannot be joined**: Often a password mismatch; double-check the client is sending the right password.
- **Save corrupted**: Restore from a backup. The auto-save mechanism is reliable but a crash mid-write can corrupt.
- **Player kicked back to menu on join**: Save slot mismatch; the server expects a slot that does not match what the client tries to join.

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