--- title: "Getting started with your Windrose server" description: "Complete your first Windrose boot, connect via invite codes, and understand how ServerDescription and WorldDescription files work." url: "https://www.gameserverkings.com/knowledge-base/windrose/getting-started-with-your-server/" category: "Windrose" category_url: "https://www.gameserverkings.com/knowledge-base/windrose/" published: "2026-05-31T17:05:20.026Z" updated: "2026-08-07T21:06:09.541Z" source_format: "markdown" site: "GameServerKings" --- # Getting started with your Windrose server Windrose is a PvE co-op pirate survival adventure by Kraken Express, set in an Age of Piracy world with naval combat, ship building, base building, and crew-based exploration. Your server supports up to 8 players (the developers recommend 4 for the smoothest experience). This guide walks you through the first 30 minutes: boot the server, find your invite code, and connect. ## A Quick Note on the Server Binary Windrose's dedicated server is currently a Windows-only binary. Your [managed Windrose server](/games/windrose/) runs on Linux nodes and wraps the server in a Wine compatibility layer behind the scenes. You will not need to manage that yourself, but it explains why first boots can be slower than for natively Linux-built games like Rust or Minecraft. As Kraken Express continues development through Early Access, watch for a native Linux build. ## Before You Start You need: - An active GSK Windrose server (purchased through gameserverkings.com) - Your panel credentials (sent to your billing email) - Windrose installed on your client through Steam, Epic Games Store, or Stove - **Each player who will connect must have completed the singleplayer tutorial first** (see "How to Connect" below) ## First Boot 1. Log into your server panel at `app.gameserverkings.com` and open your Windrose server. 2. From the Console tab, click the green **Start** button. 3. First boot runs SteamCMD against the Windrose Dedicated Server app (Steam app ID 4129620), pulls the server files (about 35 GB on disk), then launches the server through Wine. Expect 20 to 35 minutes for a fresh install. 4. The first launch also auto-generates the two config files (`ServerDescription.json` and `WorldDescription.json`). It is recommended to start and then stop the server once before editing anything, so the files exist with sensible defaults. When you see lines mentioning the invite code and `Server started`, the server is live. ## How to Connect Windrose does not use a traditional server browser. Players connect one of two ways: 1. **Invite code** (default): a short alphanumeric code. Connections are brokered through the Epic Online Services relay using NAT punch-through, so it works through most NAT setups without port forwarding on the player side. 2. **Direct IP** (optional): connect by IP and port using the **Address** shown at the top left of your panel, like most other dedicated servers. Both options are configured in `ServerDescription.json`. Most communities use the invite code. See [Configuring your Windrose server](/knowledge-base/windrose/configuration-overview/) for direct connection setup. ### A Note on Platforms (Crossplay) Windrose sells on Steam, the Epic Games Store, and Stove, but crossplay between stores has not been confirmed by Kraken Express. > [!TIP] Standardize on one store first > If your group is split across platforms and some players cannot connect, have everyone standardize on the same store as a first troubleshooting step. ### Finding Your Invite Code After the server is fully running, you can find the invite code in three places: - The panel Console: a line near startup reads `Invite code: ` - The Startup tab if your egg exposes it as a variable - `R5/ServerDescription.json` (root folder) under the `InviteCode` field ### Joining the Server In Windrose, go to **Play** > **Connect to Server**, paste the invite code, and join. ### The Tutorial Requirement (Common Gotcha) > [!IMPORTANT] Multiplayer is blocked until the tutorial is done > **Windrose silently blocks multiplayer connections from any account that has not completed the singleplayer tutorial.** If a player reports that the invite code "doesn't work," confirm they have finished the tutorial in their own offline world first. This catches almost every new player and there is no error message that explains it. ## What to Read Next Now that the server is up and players are connecting, the next steps depend on what you want to change: - [Configuring your Windrose server](/knowledge-base/windrose/configuration-overview/) covers `ServerDescription.json`: server name, password, invite code, max players, and direct connection - [World Settings](/knowledge-base/windrose/world-settings/) covers `WorldDescription.json`: difficulty, mob and ship multipliers, and the tagged JSON format - [Managing Worlds](/knowledge-base/windrose/managing-worlds/) covers running multiple worlds, switching between them, and uploading a local save - [Windrose+ and Mods](/knowledge-base/windrose/configuring-windrose-plus/) covers the community mod framework and its multipliers - [Updates and Maintenance](/knowledge-base/windrose/updates-and-maintenance/) covers keeping the server current, scheduled restarts, backups, and troubleshooting --- Made with 💜 by GameServerKings