# How to Configure Access Levels on Your Project Zomboid Server (/docs/project-zomboid/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 [#access-levels]

| Level         | Permissions                                                                    |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Admin**     | Full control — all commands, kick, ban, teleport, spawn items, change settings |
| **Moderator** | Kick, ban, teleport, see player info, manage safehouses                        |
| **Overseer**  | See player info, teleport to players, limited moderation                       |
| **GM**        | Game Master — teleport, invisibility, spawn items for events                   |
| **Observer**  | Invisible mode, can watch players but can't interact                           |
| **None**      | Regular player (default)                                                       |

Set a Player's Access Level [#set-a-players-access-level]

Via In-Game Command [#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 [#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 [#what-each-level-can-do]

Admin [#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 [#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 [#overseer]

Limited moderation:

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

GM (Game Master) [#gm-game-master]

Event management:

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

Observer [#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 [#recommended-team-structure]

Small Server (10–20 players) [#small-server-1020-players]

```
1 Admin (you)
1–2 Moderators
```

Medium Server (20–50 players) [#medium-server-2050-players]

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

Large Server (50+ players) [#large-server-50-players]

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

Remove an Access Level [#remove-an-access-level]

Set the player back to "none":

```
/setaccesslevel "PlayerName" none
```

View Current Access Levels [#view-current-access-levels]

Check who has elevated access:

```
/players
```

This shows all online players and their access levels.

Security Tips [#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 [#related-guides]

See also: [Become Admin](/docs/project-zomboid/become-admin) | [Admin Commands](/docs/project-zomboid/admin-commands) | [Ban and Unban Players](/docs/project-zomboid/ban-players)

If you need help, join our [Discord](https://discord.xgamingserver.com/).