The Forest — server settings guide

A complete guide for beginners setting up their first The Forest dedicated server. Each setting below maps to a line in your server config — adjust them in the panel or the config file, then restart.

Basic identification

Server name — the public name shown in Steam’s server browser. Make it memorable and avoid special characters.

serverName My Forest Server

Players & difficulty

• 1–4 — small groups of friends.
• 4–6 — recommended.
• 8+ — only on higher-tier plans with more resources.

Difficulty: Peaceful (no enemies), Normal (recommended) or Hard (aggressive enemies).

serverPlayers 6difficulty Normal

Access & security

Steam account token — required for public servers. Generate one on Steam’s Game Server Login Token page using App ID 242760. Server password — leave blank for public. Admin password — grants in-game administrator privileges. Enable VAC — keep it on for public servers.

serverSteamAccount YOUR_GSLT_TOKENserverPasswordserverPasswordAdmin AdminSecret123enableVAC on

World & saving

Init type — choose New only the first time you start the server. Switch to Continue afterwards to keep your progress.

initType Continueslot 1serverAutoSaveInterval 15

Game modes

• Vegan mode — no enemies at all.
• Vegetarian mode — enemies only appear in caves.
• Tree regrow mode — trees grow back while players sleep.
• Allow building destruction — whether enemies and players can destroy structures.
• Enemies in creative mode — spawn enemies even in creative.

veganMode offvegetarianMode offtreeRegrowMode onallowBuildingDestruction onallowEnemiesCreativeMode off

Performance options

The server’s target frame rate: 5–15 when nobody is online and 30–60 when players are connected.

targetFpsIdle 5targetFpsActive 60