# How to Configure Your Stormworks Server (/docs/stormworks/configure-your-server)



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

Stormworks: Build and Rescue server configuration is managed through the `server_config.xml` file located in the server root directory. This XML file controls all server settings including the server name, password, max players, and gameplay options. You can edit it directly through the XGamingServer panel's file manager.

Editing server_config.xml [#editing-server_configxml]

<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) and select your Stormworks server.
  </div>

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

    Stop your server before editing config files to prevent your changes from being overwritten.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Navigate to Files [#3-navigate-to-files]

    In the sidebar, go to `Files`.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Open server_config.xml [#4-open-server_configxml]

    Find and open `server_config.xml` in the server root directory.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Edit your settings [#5-edit-your-settings]

    Modify the XML values as needed. The file structure looks like this:

    ```xml
    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
    <server>
      <name>My Stormworks Server</name>
      <password></password>
      <max_players>16</max_players>
      <save_name>save</save_name>
      <settings>
        <day_length>1</day_length>
        <infinite_fuel>false</infinite_fuel>
        <infinite_ammo>false</infinite_ammo>
        <vehicle_damage>true</vehicle_damage>
        <player_damage>true</player_damage>
        <npc_damage>true</npc_damage>
        <aggressive_animals>true</aggressive_animals>
        <teleport_vehicle>false</teleport_vehicle>
        <cleanup_vehicle>false</cleanup_vehicle>
        <map_teleport>false</map_teleport>
        <photo_mode>false</photo_mode>
        <ceasefire>false</ceasefire>
      </settings>
    </server>
    ```
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Save and start [#6-save-and-start]

    Click **Save** and start your server.

    > 📝 **Note:** Always stop your server before editing `server_config.xml`. If the server is running, it may overwrite your changes when it saves or shuts down.
  </div>
</div>

Key Configuration Settings [#key-configuration-settings]

Here's a reference of all settings in `server_config.xml` and their dedicated guides:

| Setting     | XML Tag         | Description                                     | Guide                                                     |
| ----------- | --------------- | ----------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- |
| Server Name | `<name>`        | What players see in the server browser          | [Change Server Name](/docs/stormworks/change-server-name) |
| Password    | `<password>`    | Password required to join (empty = no password) | [Set a Password](/docs/stormworks/set-a-password)         |
| Max Players | `<max_players>` | Maximum number of connected players             | [Max Players](/docs/stormworks/max-players)               |
| Save Name   | `<save_name>`   | Name of the save file used by the server        | —                                                         |

Gameplay Settings [#gameplay-settings]

The `<settings>` block in `server_config.xml` controls gameplay mechanics:

| Setting                | XML Tag                | Default | Description                                                                                     |
| ---------------------- | ---------------------- | ------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Day Length**         | `<day_length>`         | `1`     | Multiplier for the day/night cycle. `1` = normal speed, `2` = twice as fast, `0.5` = half speed |
| **Infinite Fuel**      | `<infinite_fuel>`      | `false` | When `true`, vehicles never run out of fuel                                                     |
| **Infinite Ammo**      | `<infinite_ammo>`      | `false` | When `true`, weapons never run out of ammunition                                                |
| **Vehicle Damage**     | `<vehicle_damage>`     | `true`  | When `true`, vehicles can take damage from collisions and weapons                               |
| **Player Damage**      | `<player_damage>`      | `true`  | When `true`, players can take damage and die                                                    |
| **NPC Damage**         | `<npc_damage>`         | `true`  | When `true`, NPCs can take damage                                                               |
| **Aggressive Animals** | `<aggressive_animals>` | `true`  | When `true`, sharks and other animals can attack players                                        |
| **Teleport Vehicle**   | `<teleport_vehicle>`   | `false` | When `true`, players can teleport vehicles to their location                                    |
| **Cleanup Vehicle**    | `<cleanup_vehicle>`    | `false` | When `true`, players can despawn vehicles from the map                                          |
| **Map Teleport**       | `<map_teleport>`       | `false` | When `true`, players can teleport to any point on the map                                       |
| **Photo Mode**         | `<photo_mode>`         | `false` | When `true`, enables the photo mode camera                                                      |
| **Ceasefire**          | `<ceasefire>`          | `false` | When `true`, weapons cannot fire (disables combat)                                              |

> 💡 **Tip:** For creative building servers, enable `infinite_fuel`, `teleport_vehicle`, and `map_teleport` to give players maximum freedom. For realistic rescue servers, keep these disabled and enable all damage settings for an authentic experience.

Using the Startup Tab [#using-the-startup-tab]

Some settings may also be configurable through the Startup tab on the XGamingServer panel:

<div className="fd-steps">
  <div className="fd-step">
    Go to Startup [#1-go-to-startup]

    In the sidebar, click `Startup`.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Review available fields [#2-review-available-fields]

    Check if there are fields for server name, password, max players, or other settings.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Edit and save [#3-edit-and-save]

    Make your changes and restart the server.

    > 📝 **Note:** If a setting is configured in both the Startup tab and `server_config.xml`, check which one takes priority by reviewing the console output after starting the server.
  </div>
</div>

Save File Management [#save-file-management]

The `<save_name>` setting in `server_config.xml` determines which save file the server uses:

* **Default save** — The server uses a save file named `save` by default
* **Multiple saves** — You can create multiple save files and switch between them by changing the `<save_name>` value
* **Backing up saves** — Use the `Backups` feature on the XGamingServer panel to create backups of your save data before making major changes

> 💡 **Tip:** Before making significant gameplay setting changes (like enabling vehicle damage on a creative server), create a backup first using the `Backups` tab on the XGamingServer panel. This way you can easily restore if something goes wrong.

Verifying Your Configuration [#verifying-your-configuration]

After making changes, verify everything is working:

<div className="fd-steps">
  <div className="fd-step">
    Check the console [#1-check-the-console]

    Go to `Console` on the XGamingServer panel and review the startup log. The server will display the loaded settings during initialization.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Check the server browser [#2-check-the-server-browser]

    Open Stormworks and verify your server appears in the server browser with the correct name and settings.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Test in-game [#3-test-in-game]

    [Connect to your server](/docs/stormworks/connect-to-your-server) and verify gameplay settings (fuel, damage, etc.) are applied correctly.

    If you get stuck at any time, you can join our [Discord](https://discord.xgamingserver.com/).
  </div>
</div>