Configure Access Levels

Project Zomboid has multiple access levels that give different permissions to players. Use these to build a moderation team for your server.

Access Levels

Set a Player's Access Level

Via In-Game Command

As an admin, use the /setaccesslevel command:

/setaccesslevel "PlayerName" admin
/setaccesslevel "PlayerName" moderator
/setaccesslevel "PlayerName" overseer
/setaccesslevel "PlayerName" gm
/setaccesslevel "PlayerName" observer
/setaccesslevel "PlayerName" none

Via Server Config

Edit the database directly at:

Zomboid/Saves/Multiplayer/[servername]/players.db

📝 Note: Editing the database directly is not recommended unless you can't use in-game commands.

What Each Level Can Do

Admin

Full server control:

• All commands (kick, ban, teleport, spawn items, godmode)
• Change server settings
• Add/remove mods
• Set other players' access levels
• Force save and shutdown

Moderator

Player management:

• /kick — Remove players from server
• /ban and /unban — Ban management
• /teleport — Teleport to or teleport players
• /players — View online player list
• View player info (health, inventory)

Overseer

Limited moderation:

• View player locations
• Teleport to players
• View player stats
• Cannot kick or ban

GM (Game Master)

Event management:

• Spawn items with /additem
• Teleport freely
• Toggle invisibility
• Spawn vehicles
• Useful for running events without full admin access

Observer

Watch-only mode:

• Invisible to all players
• Can fly around the map
• Cannot interact with anything
• Good for monitoring player behavior

Recommended Team Structure

Small Server (10–20 players)

1 Admin (you)
1–2 Moderators

Medium Server (20–50 players)

1 Admin (you)
2–3 Moderators
1 GM (for events)

Large Server (50+ players)

1–2 Admins
3–5 Moderators
1–2 GMs
1–2 Overseers (trial moderators)

Remove an Access Level

Set the player back to "none":

/setaccesslevel "PlayerName" none

View Current Access Levels

Check who has elevated access:

/players

This shows all online players and their access levels.

Security Tips

• Limit admin access — only give admin to people you fully trust
• Start new staff as moderators — promote to admin later if needed
• Use GM for events — don't give full admin for running events
• Review access regularly — remove permissions from inactive staff
• Keep a record — document who has what access level

Related Guides

See also: Become Admin | Admin Commands | Ban and Unban Players

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