Configuring your Starbound server

Updated July 03, 2026

Starbound

Starbound Server Configuration | GameServerKings KB

Starbound Server Configuration

The main config is storage/starbound_server.config, a JSON file. This guide covers the key settings, account modes, and RCON.

Key Settings

JSON

{
  "allowAdminCommands" : true,
  "allowAdminCommandsFromAnyone" : false,
  "allowAnonymousConnections" : true,
  "anonymousConnectionsAreAdmin" : false,
  "gameServerPort" : 21025,
  "maxPlayers" : 8,
  "runRconServer" : false,
  "rconServerPort" : 21026,
  "rconServerPassword" : "",
  "safeScripts" : true,
  "serverName" : "A Starbound Server",
  "serverUsers" : {
    "admin" : { "admin" : true, "password" : "CHANGE_ME" }
  }
}

Setting	Notes
serverName	Browser name (when broadcast to the public list)
maxPlayers	Slot cap
gameServerPort	Network port
allowAnonymousConnections	False means accounts are required to log in
serverUsers	Account list with a per-user admin flag
runRconServer	Enable RCON
safeScripts	Restricts mod scripts; turn off only for trusted mod stacks

Restart after editing.

Accounts vs Anonymous Connections

Anonymous: anyone with the IP and optional password joins, no account. Most public servers use this.

Account-based: set allowAnonymousConnections to false and define users:

JSON

"serverUsers": {
  "alice": { "admin": true, "password": "alicepw" },
  "bob": { "admin": false, "password": "bobpw" }
}

Players are prompted for a username and password on connect. Common for private friend servers.

RCON

JSON

"runRconServer": true,
"rconServerPort": 21026,
"rconServerPassword": "STRONG_PASSWORD"

Restart, then connect with any Source-style RCON tool.

Key Settings

Accounts vs Anonymous Connections

RCON

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