---
title: "Getting started with your Terraria server"
description: "Boot your server, connect via IP, and control world size, name, difficulty, and passwords via startup variables. Includes world upload tips."
url: "https://www.gameserverkings.com/knowledge-base/terraria/getting-started-with-your-server/"
category: "Terraria"
category_url: "https://www.gameserverkings.com/knowledge-base/terraria/"
published: "2026-03-21T19:03:09.515Z"
updated: "2026-08-19T04:22:30.161Z"
source_format: "markdown"
site: "GameServerKings"
---

# Getting started with your Terraria server

Your Terraria server can run as three different server types: vanilla **TerrariaServer** (the classic experience), **TShock** (commands, permissions, and anti-grief), or **tModLoader** (modded content like Thorium and Fargo's Souls). You switch between them any time from the Startup tab; this guide covers the vanilla boot and basic setup, and the type-specific guides cover the rest.

## Initial Boot (Vanilla)

1. Open your [Terraria hosting plan](/games/terraria-server-hosting/) in the panel and click **Start**.

2. First boot creates your world using the Startup tab variables (world name, size, and difficulty).

3. Once you see `Listening on port` in the console, the server is ready. That console is also where you type [Terraria's server commands](/knowledge-base/terraria/terraria-server-commands/).

## How to Connect

In the Terraria client: **Multiplayer**, **Join via IP**, then enter the IP and port from the **Address** at the top left of your panel, and the password if you set one.

> [!IMPORTANT] Your port is probably not 7777
> On our plans the assigned port is often not the game default of 7777, so always use the panel value.

## Configuration: Startup Variables

Your server is configured through the **Startup** tab variables rather than a config file. Change a value, save, and restart to apply it:

| Variable | What it does |
|----------|--------------|
| Server Type | `vanilla`, `tshock`, or `tmodloader`. Changing this requires a **Reinstall**; see [TShock Setup](/knowledge-base/terraria/tshock/) or [TModLoader and Mods](/knowledge-base/terraria/how-to-install-tmodloader/) |
| Server Version | `latest`, or pin a specific build. See [Maintaining your Terraria server](/knowledge-base/terraria/maintaining-your-server/) |
| World Name | The world file to load from `worlds/`. Created automatically on first boot if it does not exist |
| World Size | Used when creating the world: 1 = small, 2 = medium, 3 = large |
| Difficulty | Used when creating the world: 0 = Classic, 1 = Expert, 2 = Master, 3 = Journey |
| Max Players | Up to 255, capped by your slot purchase |
| Server Password | Blank for a public server |
| MOTD | The message players see when they join |

> [!NOTE] Some variables are locked in at world creation
> World Size and Difficulty only apply when the world is first created; an existing world keeps its settings. There is no seed variable: worlds generate with a random seed, so for a specific or special seed (like the secret seeds), generate the world in your own game first and upload it as described below.

## World Management

Worlds live in `worlds/`, each a single `.wld` file (plus a `.bak` file that Terraria writes automatically).

**To upload a single-player world:** find it at `Documents\My Games\Terraria\Worlds\`, upload the `.wld` to `worlds/` via SFTP, set the **World Name** variable to the file name (without `.wld`), and restart.

**To wipe**, stop the server and delete the `.wld` file. The next start generates a fresh world from your World Size and Difficulty variables.

## Special World Seeds

Terraria's secret seeds work on a server, but there is no **Seed** startup variable to enter one into — the server generates its world with a random seed. To run a secret seed, create the world in your own copy of Terraria using that seed, then upload the resulting `.wld` file to the server as described above.

| Seed | What it does |
|------|--------------|
| for the worthy | Brutally hard remix of the whole game |
| not the bees | The world is bees. All of it |
| celebrationmk10 | Anniversary world with festive generation and loot |
| the constant | Don't Starve crossover rules, including darkness damage |
| no traps | The opposite of its name: traps everywhere |
| dont dig up | The remix seed. You start in hell and climb |
| getfixedboi | The everything seed, combining all of the above |

A new seed only applies to newly generated worlds; existing worlds keep their rules.

## What to Read Next

- [TShock Setup](/knowledge-base/terraria/tshock/) for the more capable server with commands and permissions
- [TModLoader and Mods](/knowledge-base/terraria/how-to-install-tmodloader/) for modded content, including where Calamity now stands
- [Maintaining your Terraria server](/knowledge-base/terraria/maintaining-your-server/) for performance, backups, and troubleshooting

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