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Project Zomboid: Add Linux Guide
coderrquitsreality Aug 3, 2026
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Project Zomboid: Add Linux Guide
coderrquitsreality Aug 3, 2026
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Project Zomboid: Instruction Revision
coderrquitsreality Aug 5, 2026
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Project Zomboid: Remove Video Guide
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183 changes: 183 additions & 0 deletions content/project-zomboid-linux.md
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title = "Setting up Project Zomboid on Linux"
tags = ["project zomboid", "pz", "guide"]
description_file = "descriptions/project-zomboid-steam-dedicated-server.txt"
+++

### Server
For this to work, we will be using [SteamCMD](https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD) - here's how to set it up.
We will be using Ubuntu Server 26.04 for this portion of the guide.
From your terminal, enter these commands - to install SteamCMD, the multiverse repository and x86 packages must be enabled.

**Ubuntu**
```bash
sudo add-apt-repository multiverse; sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386; sudo apt update
sudo apt install steamcmd
```

### Setup
You need a place to store the server - create a new directory, for example `projectzomboid`
```bash
mkdir ~/projectzomboid
```

Start installing the server from [SteamCMD](https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD) using this command:
```bash
/usr/games/steamcmd +force_install_dir ~/projectzomboid +login anonymous +app_update 380870 validate +quit
```
This will tell SteamCMD to start installing the Project Zomboid server inside of `~/projectzomboid`.

> If you get `ERROR! Failed to install app '380870' (Missing configuration)`, you should try adding `+@sSteamCmdForcePlatformType linux` to the command:

```bash
/usr/games/steamcmd +@sSteamCmdForcePlatformType linux +force_install_dir ~/projectzomboid +login anonymous +app_update 380870 validate +quit
```

## Using playit.gg to share the server

Create and claim a new **playit.gg agent**, then create the tunnel.

Project Zomboid normally uses the following ports:

* `16261` - Main Port
* `16262` - Secondary UDP Port

We will adjust these to work with playit.gg.

## Create the Tunnel

Create and configure your tunnel as follows:

* **Type:** Project Zomboid

{{< image src="post-img/playit-pz-addtunnel.png" alt="playit tunnel config" >}}

At this point, the tunnel will be active, but the game server will **not yet be reachable**. This is because the local server ports must match the tunnel's assigned public ports.

## Configure Server Ports

Although it will work without matching ports, we recommend that you do.
Navigate to your Project Zomboid server configuration folder:

```bash
cd /root/Zomboid/Server
```

Inside, you will find files like:

```bash
server@playit:~/projectzomboid$ sudo ls /root/Zomboid/Server
servertest.ini servertest_SandboxVars.lua servertest_spawnpoints.lua servertest_spawnregions.lua
```

## Starting the server
Your file structure will look like this:

```bash
server@playit:~/projectzomboid$ ls
ProjectZomboid64 java libpzexe_jni64.so libsteamwebrtc.so linux64 pzexe.jar start-server.sh steam_appid.txt steamclient.so
ProjectZomboid64.json jre64 libsteam_api.so license media serialize.lua stdlib.lua steamapps
```

Run `start-server.sh` as root. We need to start the server in order to generate the configuration files for further setup.
```bash
sudo bash ./start-server.sh
```

When your server is fully started, you should see this in the console:

```bash
LOG : Network f:0 st:761,732> *** SERVER STARTED ****
LOG : Network f:0 st:761,734> *** Steam is enabled
LOG : Lua f:0 st:761,744> LuaNet: Initializing...
LOG : Lua f:0 st:761,749> LuaNet: Registering server listener...
LOG : Lua f:0 st:761,749> LuaNet: Initialization [DONE], triggering events for 'LuaNet.onInitAdd'.

### Edit `servertest.ini`

Open `servertest.ini` and locate:

```ini
# Default starting port for player data. If UDP, this is this one of two ports used. Min: 0 Max: 65535 Default: 16261
DefaultPort=16261

# Min: 0 Max: 65535 Default: 16262
UDPPort=16262
```

By default, these options start on line 57.
You can jump right to this line by using the `+57` argument.

```bash
sudo nano -l +57 /root/Zomboid/Server/servertest.ini
```
Change this to match the **public port assigned by playit.gg**.

**Example:**
```ini
# Default starting port for player data. If UDP, this is this one of two ports used. Min: 0 Max: 65535 Default: 16261
DefaultPort=10233

# Min: 0 Max: 65535 Default: 16262
UDPPort=10234
```
Save the file.

## Connecting to the Server

1. Start the Project Zomboid server
2. Open your playit.gg tunnel
3. Copy the **numeric IP address and port**

{{< image src="post-img/playit-pz-tunneladdress.png" alt="playit tunnel address" >}}

**Example:**

```text
147.185.221.181:10233
```

### Join the Project Zomboid server

1. Launch **Project Zomboid**
2. Click **Join**
3. Enter the tunnel IP and port on the right‑hand side
4. Under **Connection Options**, make sure:

```text
Use Steam Relay = unchecked
```

{{< image src="post-img/playit-pz-joinserver.png" alt="Adding the server" >}}

5. Click **Add**
6. Select the server from the list

{{< image src="post-img/playit-pz-serverlist.png" alt="Joining the server" >}}

{{< image src="post-img/playit-pz-connecting.png" alt="Joining the server" >}}

## Server Is Live

The game server will now:

* Serve all game assets
* Apply server settings
* Store player data

To modify server settings, see the **[Project Zomboid Server Wiki](https://pzwiki.net/wiki/Dedicated_server)**.

## Troubleshooting

### Closed Port Warning
{{< image src="post-img/playit-pz-warningclosedport.png" alt="Warning: Closed Port" >}}

If you see a **closed port** warning:

* Double‑check that **Use Steam Relay** is **disabled** in the server list
* Confirm `DefaultPort` and `UDPPort`* match the playit.gg tunnel ports

If using a custom UDP tunnel, `UDPPort` does not apply to you.

## Done
Your Project Zomboid server should now be up and shared using playit.
165 changes: 6 additions & 159 deletions content/project-zomboid-steam-dedicated-server.md
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title = "Project Zomboid Dedicated Server Guide"
title = "Setting up Project Zomboid with playit.gg"
tags = ["project zomboid", "pz", "guide"]
description_file = "descriptions/project-zomboid-steam-dedicated-server.txt"
description_file = "descriptions/project-zomboid-landing.txt"
+++

## Prefer to watch a video?
{{< youtube id="ClPNlTIkYb0">}}
There are two versions of this guide, depending on the type of operating system you are using.

## Setting Everything Up

Assuming you already own Project Zomboid on Steam, you already have access to the dedicated server software.

1. Open your **Steam Library**
2. Search for **Project Zomboid** (the server is usually hidden until searched)
3. Install **Project Zomboid Dedicated Server**

{{< image src="post-img/playit-pz-steam.png" alt="PZ on Steam" >}}

## Verify the Server Runs

After installing the server:

1. **Do not launch it from Steam**
2. Right‑click **Project Zomboid Dedicated Server**
3. Select **Manage → Browse local files**

{{< image src="post-img/playit-pz-steambrowsefiles.png" alt="PZ on Steam Options" >}}

The server directory will look similar to this:

{{< image src="post-img/playit-pz-serverfiles.png" alt="PZ Server Files" >}}

Both the 32‑bit and 64‑bit versions work:

* `StartServer32.bat`
* `StartServer64.bat`

Double‑click either file to start the server once. After it finishes initialization, you can close it.

## Using playit.gg to Share the Server

Create and claim a new **playit.gg agent**, then create your first tunnel.

Project Zomboid normally uses the following ports:

* `16261` - Main Port
* `16262` - Secondary UDP Port

We will adjust these to work with playit.gg.

## Create the Tunnel

Create and configure your tunnel as follows:

* **Type:** Project Zomboid

{{< image src="post-img/playit-pz-addtunnel.png" alt="playit tunnel config" >}}

At this point, the tunnel will be active, but the game server will **not yet be reachable**. This is because the local server ports must match the tunnel's assigned public ports.

## Configure Server Ports

Navigate to your Project Zomboid server configuration folder:

```text
C:\Users\User\Zomboid\Server
```

Inside, you will find files like:

{{< image src="post-img/playit-pz-configfiles.png" alt="PZ Server Config Files" >}}

### Edit `servertest.ini`

Open `servertest.ini` and locate:

```ini
DefaultPort=16261
```

Change this to match the **public port assigned by playit.gg**.

**Example:**

```ini
DefaultPort=10233
```
{{< image src="post-img/playit-pz-configfile.png" alt="PZ Config File" >}}

The project zomboid tunnel type will assign you two ports, these ports are sequential so if your public port is `10233`, the second port will be `10234`.

Update `UDPPort` to match your second port.

```ini
UDPPort=16262
```

Change it to:

```ini
UDPPort=10234
```

Save the file.

## Connecting to the Server

1. Start the Project Zomboid server
2. Open your playit.gg tunnel
3. Copy the **numeric IP address and port**

{{< image src="post-img/playit-pz-tunneladdress.png" alt="playit tunnel address" >}}

**Example:**

```text
147.185.221.181:10233
```

### Join the Project Zomboid server

1. Launch **Project Zomboid**
2. Click **Join**
3. Enter the tunnel IP and port on the right‑hand side
4. Under **Connection Options**, make sure:

```text
Use Steam Relay = unchecked
```

{{< image src="post-img/playit-pz-joinserver.png" alt="Adding the server" >}}

5. Click **Add**
6. Select the server from the list

{{< image src="post-img/playit-pz-serverlist.png" alt="Joining the server" >}}

{{< image src="post-img/playit-pz-connecting.png" alt="Joining the server" >}}

## Server Is Live

The game server will now:

* Serve all game assets
* Apply server settings
* Store player data

To modify server settings, see the **[Project Zomboid Server Wiki](https://pzwiki.net/wiki/Dedicated_server)**.

## Troubleshooting

### Closed Port Warning
{{< image src="post-img/playit-pz-warningclosedport.png" alt="Warning: Closed Port" >}}

If you see a **closed port** warning:

* Double‑check that **Use Steam Relay** is **disabled** in the server list
* Confirm `DefaultPort` and `UDPPort`* match the playit.gg tunnel ports

If using a custom UDP tunnel, `UDPPort` does not apply to you.

## Done
Your Project Zomboid server should now be up and shared using playit.
## Platform Guides
- Windows: {{< link "project-zomboid-windows.md" >}}
- Linux: {{< link "project-zomboid-linux.md" >}}
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