# How to Configure Your Space Engineers Server (/docs/space-engineers/server-config)
import { Tab, Tabs } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/tabs';
import { Step, Steps } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/steps';
import { Files, Folder, File } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/files';
Space Engineers uses an XML config file (`SpaceEngineers-Dedicated.cfg`) for server settings, and per-world settings in `Sandbox_config.sbc`. This guide covers both.
Server File Structure [#server-file-structure]
Two Config Files, One World [#two-config-files-one-world]
| File | Purpose |
| ---------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `SpaceEngineers-Dedicated.cfg` | Server-level settings (name, ports, admins, mods, which world to load) |
| `Saves//Sandbox_config.sbc` | Per-world gameplay settings (inventory size, PCU, game mode). **Takes priority** over the SessionSettings copy in Sandbox.sbc |
How to Edit [#how-to-edit]
Stop your server [#stop-your-server]
Go to **Console** in the [XGamingServer Panel](https://panel.xgamingserver.com) and stop the server. **The server overwrites config files on shutdown** — always stop first.
{/* Screenshot needed: Console page with Stop button */}
Open the config file [#open-the-config-file]
Click **Files** in the sidebar. For server settings, open `SpaceEngineers-Dedicated.cfg`. For gameplay/world settings on an existing world, open `Saves//Sandbox_config.sbc`.
{/* Screenshot needed: File Manager showing config files */}
Edit and save [#edit-and-save]
Make your changes (maintain valid XML syntax), click **Save Content**, then start from **Console**.
Server Configuration Reference [#server-configuration-reference]
These are in `SpaceEngineers-Dedicated.cfg`:
```xml
My SE Server
Star System
16
true
0
```
| Setting | Default | Description |
| -------------------- | ------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `ServerName` | — | Name shown in server browser |
| `WorldName` | — | World display name |
| `MaxPlayers` | 4 | Maximum simultaneous players |
| `PauseGameWhenEmpty` | true | Pause simulation when no players are connected |
| `GroupID` | 0 | Steam group ID — only group members can see/join. `0` = no restriction |
| `OnlineMode` | PUBLIC | `PUBLIC`, `PRIVATE`, or `FRIENDS` |
These are in `Sandbox_config.sbc` (or the `` section of the main config):
| Setting | Default | Description |
| ---------------------------- | -------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `GameMode` | Survival | `Survival` or `Creative` |
| `EnvironmentHostility` | SAFE | `SAFE`, `NORMAL`, `CATACLYSM`, `CATACLYSM_UNREAL` — controls meteor frequency |
| `AutoHealing` | true | Players slowly regenerate health |
| `EnableCopyPaste` | false | Allow blueprint copy/paste in multiplayer |
| `WeaponsEnabled` | true | Enable weapons and combat |
| `ThrusterDamage` | true | Thrusters damage nearby blocks and players |
| `CargoShipsEnabled` | true | Spawn NPC cargo ships |
| `DestructibleBlocks` | true | Blocks can be destroyed |
| `EnableVoxelDestruction` | true | Allow mining/terrain deformation |
| `PermanentDeath` | false | Characters permanently die (no respawn) |
| `EnableIngameScripts` | true | Allow Programmable Block scripts |
| `EnableEconomy` | true | NPC trading stations and contracts |
| `EnableBountyContracts` | true | Bounty contract system |
| `ExperimentalMode` | true | Required for mods and untested features |
| `WorldSizeKm` | 0 | World boundary in km (0 = unlimited) |
| `SunRotationIntervalMinutes` | 120 | Day/night cycle length (minutes) |
| `EnableSunRotation` | true | Enable day/night cycle |
All of these default to `1` (1x speed). Higher values = faster.
| Setting | Description |
| ------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
| `InventorySizeMultiplier` | Player inventory capacity (3x or 10x is common) |
| `BlocksInventorySizeMultiplier` | Cargo container/block inventory size |
| `AssemblerSpeedMultiplier` | Assembler crafting speed |
| `AssemblerEfficiencyMultiplier` | Assembler resource efficiency (less waste) |
| `RefinerySpeedMultiplier` | Refinery processing speed |
| `WelderSpeedMultiplier` | Welding (building) speed |
| `GrinderSpeedMultiplier` | Grinding (deconstructing) speed |
| `HackSpeedMultiplier` | Hacking speed |
Common Multiplier Presets [#common-multiplier-presets]
| Style | Inventory | Assembler | Refinery | Weld/Grind |
| ------------- | --------- | --------- | -------- | ---------- |
| **Realistic** | 1x | 1x | 1x | 1x |
| **Casual** | 3x | 3x | 3x | 2x |
| **Boosted** | 10x | 10x | 10x | 5x |
| Setting | Default | Description |
| --------------------------- | -------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `TotalPCU` | 100000 | **Total Performance Cost Units** — the global budget for block complexity. Each block type has a PCU cost reflecting its performance impact |
| `BlockLimitsEnabled` | GLOBALLY | `GLOBALLY` (shared PCU pool), `PER_PLAYER` (each player gets their own budget), `NONE` (unlimited) |
| `MaxGridSize` | 0 | Max blocks per single grid. `0` = unlimited |
| `MaxBlocksPerPlayer` | 0 | Max total blocks per player. `0` = unlimited |
| `MaxFloatingObjects` | 56 | Max debris/dropped items. Lower = better performance |
| `ViewDistance` | 15000 | Client render distance in meters (5000–50000) |
| `SyncDistance` | 3000 | Network sync distance in meters (1000–20000). Higher = more server load |
| `TrashRemovalEnabled` | true | Auto-cleanup floating debris |
| `VoxelTrashRemovalEnabled` | true | Remove detached voxel fragments |
| `AdaptiveSimulationQuality` | true | Auto-reduce sim quality under heavy load |
| `MaxDrones` | 5 | Max AI drones simultaneously |
| `AutoSaveInMinutes` | 5 | Auto-save interval. Saves can cause brief lag spikes on large worlds |
Performance Tips [#performance-tips]
* **PCU is the most important limiter.** Set `TotalPCU` to 50000–100000 for stable performance. `PER_PLAYER` mode prevents one player from consuming all resources
* **Lower `MaxFloatingObjects`** to 20–30 if you're seeing lag
* **`SyncDistance`** of 3000–5000m is a good balance. Higher causes exponential network load
* **Disable `EnableIngameScripts`** if players' scripts are causing lag (badly written scripts are a common performance killer)
* **`ViewDistance`** is client-side but affects what the server sends. 10000–15000 is reasonable
| Port | Protocol | Purpose |
| --------- | -------- | --------------------------- |
| **27016** | UDP | Game traffic (primary) |
| **8766** | UDP | Steam communication |
| **8080** | TCP | VRage Remote API (optional) |
Both UDP ports must be accessible. The Remote API is disabled by default — enable with:
```xml
true
YourHMACKey
8080
```
Admin Setup [#admin-setup]
Add admin SteamID64s to the config file:
```xml
76561198012345678
76561198087654321
```
Admin Permission Levels [#admin-permission-levels]
| Level | Access |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
| **None** | Regular player |
| **Scripter** | Can use in-game scripts |
| **Moderator** | Can kick/ban players |
| **Space Master** | Creative tools + entity management (Alt+F10 menu) |
| **Admin** | Full access including server settings changes |
Admins can promote/demote players in-game via the **Alt+F10** Admin menu.
Adding Mods [#adding-mods]
Add Workshop mods to the config:
```xml
1234567890.sbm
1234567890
Steam
```
The `PublishedFileId` is the number from the Steam Workshop URL. Mods auto-download on server start. `ExperimentalMode` must be `true`.
Related Guides [#related-guides]
* [Connect to Your Server](/docs/space-engineers/join-server)
* [Upload a World](/docs/space-engineers/import-save)