# Configure Your Subnautica 2 Server (/docs/subnautica-2/configure-your-server)



import { Callout } from "fumadocs-ui/components/callout";

You configure your Subnautica 2 server entirely from the panel **Startup** tab. **There's no file editing for normal settings** — the panel manages the config for you.

Settings (panel Startup tab) [#settings-panel-startup-tab]

| Setting         | Default             | Notes                                          |
| --------------- | ------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- |
| Server Name     | Subnautica 2 Server | Shown in the Beacon launcher's server list     |
| Server Password | *(blank)*           | Blank = open/public; set a value to gate joins |
| Max Players     | 4                   | Beacon supports up to **8**                    |
| Beacon Version  | latest              | Leave on latest unless told otherwise          |

After changing anything, **restart the server** from the panel for it to apply.

<Callout type="info">
  **"How do I change my server name / password / slots?"** → Panel **Startup** tab, then restart. It's not a file you edit.
</Callout>

Config files reference [#config-files-reference]

Several files exist on the server, but **you normally edit none of them directly** — settings go through the Startup tab. This table is for completeness and advanced modding only.

| File                 | Purpose                                                                | Do customers edit it?                                                                                                                     |
| -------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `appsettings.json`   | Main server config (name, password, max players, ports, save settings) | **No** — use the Startup tab. The panel re-writes name/password/players/ports on every boot, so hand edits to those keys get overwritten. |
| `mods.txt`           | Which mods load: `ModName : 1` = on, `: 0` = off                       | **Yes, for modding** — see [Installing Mods](/docs/subnautica-2/install-mods)                                                             |
| `UE4SS-settings.ini` | Modding engine settings (mod paths, logging)                           | Advanced modding only; most never touch it                                                                                                |
| `Engine.ini`         | Networking + save slot — **auto-rewritten on every launch**            | **No** — edits don't stick                                                                                                                |
| `beacon.config.json` | Internal plugin link, auto-generated                                   | **No — never edit**                                                                                                                       |

<Callout type="warn">
  Don't bother hand-editing `appsettings.json` or `Engine.ini`. The panel owns `appsettings.json` and Beacon rewrites `Engine.ini` on every start — manual changes to those are overwritten.
</Callout>

Common questions [#common-questions]

* **Change name / password / slots** → Startup tab → restart.
* **Where do mods go?** → drop the mod folder in the UE4SS `Mods` directory and add a line to `mods.txt` (`MyMod : 1`), then restart. See [Installing Mods](/docs/subnautica-2/install-mods).
* **Can I edit `appsettings.json` directly?** → No — the panel manages it and overwrites it on boot.

Related [#related]

* [Player Slots (Max Players) →](/docs/subnautica-2/player-slots)
* [Server Password →](/docs/subnautica-2/configure-your-server)
* [Installing Mods →](/docs/subnautica-2/install-mods)
* [Dedicated Server Setup →](/docs/subnautica-2/dedicated-server-setup)