# How To Configure Your Starbound Server (/docs/starbound/configure-your-server)



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Starbound servers are configured through the `starbound_server.config` file, which is a JSON-formatted file containing all server settings.

<div className="fd-steps">
  <div className="fd-step">
    Open the XGamingServer Panel [#1-open-the-xgamingserver-panel]

    Log in to the [XGamingServer Panel](https://panel.xgamingserver.com).
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Stop Your Server [#2-stop-your-server]

    Make sure your server is **stopped** before making changes.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Open Files [#3-open-files]

    In the sidebar, click **Files**.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Open starbound_server.config [#4-open-starbound_serverconfig]

    Find and click on `starbound_server.config` in the server root directory to open it in the editor.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Adjust Settings [#5-adjust-settings]

    Here are the key settings you can modify:

    ```
    {
        "serverName" : "My Starbound Server",
        "maxPlayers" : 8,
        "serverPort" : 21025,
        "serverPassword" : "",

        "allowAnonymousConnections" : true,
        "allowAssetsMismatch" : true,

        "serverUsers" : {},

        "bannedIPs" : [],
        "bannedUuids" : [],

        "checkAssetsDigest" : false,
        "clearUniverseFiles" : false,
        "clearPlayerFiles" : false
    }
    ```
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Understanding Key Settings [#6-understanding-key-settings]

    | Setting                     | Description                                             |
    | --------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
    | `serverName`                | The name displayed for your server                      |
    | `maxPlayers`                | Maximum concurrent player count                         |
    | `serverPort`                | The port the server listens on                          |
    | `serverPassword`            | Password required to join (empty = no password)         |
    | `allowAnonymousConnections` | Allow players without server accounts to join           |
    | `allowAssetsMismatch`       | Allow players with different assets (mods) to connect   |
    | `checkAssetsDigest`         | Enforce matching game assets between server and clients |
    | `clearUniverseFiles`        | Clear world data on server start                        |
    | `clearPlayerFiles`          | Clear player data on server start                       |
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Save and Start Your Server [#7-save-and-start-your-server]

    Click **Save** and then **Start** your server.

    > ⚠️ **Warning:** The configuration file is JSON-formatted. Make sure your syntax is valid (proper commas, quotation marks, and brackets). Invalid JSON will prevent the server from starting.

    > 💡 **Tip:** If you want to run a modded server, set `allowAssetsMismatch` to `false` and `checkAssetsDigest` to `true` to ensure all players have the same mods installed. See the [Install Mods](/docs/starbound/install-mods) guide for more details.
  </div>
</div>