# How To Configure Your Don't Starve Together Server (/docs/dont-starve-together/configure-your-server)



import { Step, Steps } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/steps';

Don't Starve Together server configuration is managed through two main files: `cluster.ini` for cluster-wide settings and `server.ini` for individual shard settings.

Using Startup Settings [#using-startup-settings]

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Open the Startup Page [#open-the-startup-page]

    Log in to the [XGamingServer Panel](https://panel.xgamingserver.com) and select your Don't Starve Together server. In the sidebar, click **Startup**.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Adjust Settings [#adjust-settings]

    The Startup page provides fields for common settings including cluster token, server name, max players, game mode, and more.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Restart Your Server [#restart-your-server]

    After making changes, restart from the **Console** page.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Editing cluster.ini [#editing-clusterini]

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Open Files [#open-files]

    In the sidebar, click **Files**. Navigate to the cluster directory (e.g., `DoNotStarveTogether/Cluster_1/`).
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Open cluster.ini [#open-clusterini]

    Open `cluster.ini` and adjust the settings:

    ```
    [GAMEPLAY]
    game_mode = survival
    max_players = 6
    pvp = false
    pause_when_empty = true

    [NETWORK]
    cluster_name = My DST Server
    cluster_description = A friendly survival server
    cluster_password =
    cluster_intention = cooperative
    lan_only_cluster = false

    [MISC]
    console_enabled = true

    [SHARD]
    shard_enabled = true
    bind_ip = 127.0.0.1
    master_ip = 127.0.0.1
    master_port = 10889
    cluster_key = supersecretkey
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Save and Restart [#save-and-restart]

    Save the file and restart your server.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Game Mode Options [#game-mode-options]

| Mode         | Description                                    |
| ------------ | ---------------------------------------------- |
| `survival`   | Standard experience, ghost on death, revivable |
| `wilderness` | Random spawn location each life, no ghosts     |
| `endless`    | No death penalty, respawn at portal anytime    |
| `lavaarena`  | PvE arena combat (event mode)                  |

World Configuration [#world-configuration]

World generation settings are stored in `worldgenoverride.lua` inside each shard folder (`Master/` and `Caves/`). You can customize resource frequency, season lengths, mob spawns, and more through this file.

> 📝 **Note:** Settings in `cluster.ini` apply to all shards. Settings in `server.ini` inside each shard folder apply only to that specific shard.

> 💡 **Tip:** If you want caves enabled, make sure `shard_enabled = true` in the `[SHARD]` section and that both Master and Caves shard folders are properly configured.