Getting started with your Space Engineers server

Space Engineers is a sandbox engineering and physics game, and your server can run in creative or survival mode. Setup on your managed Space Engineers server is straightforward; the heaviest lifting is in scenario and mod selection.

This guide covers first boot, in-game admin, performance, and backups. For the rest:

• Configuring your Space Engineers server for the full SpaceEngineers-Dedicated.cfg reference and world management
• How to install Space Engineers Workshop mods for Steam Workshop mods
• Torch Server for the advanced server framework with plugins

First Boot

1. Open your Space Engineers server in the panel.

2. Click Start.

3. First boot downloads the dedicated server (about 8 GB), which takes 10 to 15 minutes.

4. When you see Server started in the console, you can connect.

To connect in Space Engineers:

1. Main menu > Join Game.

2. Filter by Dedicated.

3. Find your server or add it via Direct Connect using the IP and port from the Address at the top left of your panel.

In-Game Admin

Once you are listed in the <Administrators> section of the config (see Configuring your Space Engineers server), you have access to:

• The Admin Menu via Alt+F10
• Spectator mode (Ctrl+Space)
• Block delete and copy-paste in survival
• Teleport via Alt+F11

These tools are powerful

Use them carefully on shared servers.

Performance

The single biggest CPU eater in SE is large grids with many subgrids (turrets, doors, rotors). Set a reasonable PCU limit in your config:

<TotalPCU>200000</TotalPCU>
<PiratePCU>50000</PiratePCU>
<BlockLimitsEnabled>PER_PLAYER</BlockLimitsEnabled>

PCU caps per player keep things sane. For deeper performance management (grid concealment, mining resets), see Torch Server.

Backups

Space Engineers auto-saves to the world's Backup/ folder every 5 minutes (or whatever AutoSaveInMinutes is set to). On top of that:

• Use the panel's Backups tab daily.
• Before installing any new mod, snapshot manually.

A recent backup is essential

Mod conflicts and bad block placements can corrupt worlds. See How to install Space Engineers Workshop mods for why mod changes especially warrant a backup first.

Common Issues

• Players cannot connect: Confirm OnlineMode is PUBLIC and the port is open. See Configuring your Space Engineers server.
• High CPU after a few hours: Players have built grids with many subgrids. Apply PCU limits or install the Concealment mod (see How to install Space Engineers Workshop mods) or the Torch Concealment plugin (see Torch Server).
• World corrupted after a crash: Restore from the Backup/ folder inside the world, or from a panel backup.
• Server stuck at "loading world": Often a mod conflict. See How to install Space Engineers Workshop mods troubleshooting.

What to Read Next

• Configuring your Space Engineers server for the full config file and world management
• How to install Space Engineers Workshop mods for Workshop mods
• Torch Server for advanced administration and plugins

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