Palworld keeps almost every server setting in one file, PalWorldSettings.ini, on a single long line. The easy settings in Settings edit that line safely for you. This page explains where the file is, how to edit it by hand without breaking it, and what each important setting does.
Where the file is
On the Linux server that Wilderack runs, the file is:
Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/PalWorldSettings.ini- It’s created after the server starts for the first time.
- It starts as a copy of
DefaultPalWorldSettings.ini, in the server’s main folder. Editing that default file does nothing. OnlyPalWorldSettings.inicounts. - Guides for Windows servers use a
WindowsServerfolder instead. On Wilderack it’s alwaysLinuxServer.
How to change settings
- Settings has easy fields with plain names, such as server name, password, player limit, EXP rate, capture rate, death penalty, PvP and crossplay. This is the safest way, because the form keeps the long line intact.
- Settings > Advanced opens the real file in the editor.
- Files in the browser, or SFTP with a client such as FileZilla. Use your server’s address, port
2022, and the login from the SFTP card in Files.
Every change to this file needs a restart. Stop the server before you edit by hand, then start it again.
The one-line rule
All the settings sit inside one OptionSettings=(...) line under a header. It looks like this, but much longer:
[/Script/Pal.PalGameWorldSettings]
OptionSettings=(ServerName="Palbox",ServerPassword="",AdminPassword="pick-a-secret",ServerPlayerMaxNum=32,ExpRate=1.000000,PalCaptureRate=1.000000,DeathPenalty=Item)Keep everything on that one line. A line break, a missing comma or a missing bracket can make the server ignore every setting and fall back to defaults. If that happens, restore yesterday’s copy of the file from its earlier versions in Files.
Rules for editing:
- Separate settings with commas, with no spaces around them.
- Put text in double quotes:
ServerName="Palbox". - On and off settings use
TrueandFalse. - Rates are decimals:
1.000000is normal,2.000000is double. - Change values only. Don’t delete settings you don’t understand.
One more catch: some worlds carry a WorldOption.sav file in their world folder, usually ones brought from single player or co-op. When it’s there, the world uses its own settings instead of PalWorldSettings.ini. The backups guide shows where to find it.
Server and access
The default column is what a fresh 1.0 server starts with. Wilderack sets a few for you, like the admin password and the port.
| Setting | Default | What it does |
|---|---|---|
ServerName |
"Default Palworld Server" |
Your server’s name in the community list |
ServerDescription |
"" |
Description in the community list |
ServerPassword |
"" |
Password players need to join. Empty means none |
AdminPassword |
"" |
Password for /AdminPassword. We set a random one at first |
ServerPlayerMaxNum |
32 |
Most players online at once |
CrossplayPlatforms |
(Steam,Xbox,PS5,Mac) |
Which platforms may join. See the crossplay guide |
PublicIP, PublicPort |
Empty, 8211 |
For community servers: the address the list gives players. They must match your address card. PublicPort doesn’t change the port the server listens on |
bShowPlayerList |
False |
Shows the player list in the Esc menu |
bIsShowJoinLeftMessage |
See file | Chat messages when players join or leave |
ChatPostLimitPerMinute |
30 |
Most chat messages a player can send per minute |
bAllowClientMod |
See file | Lets players with mods on their own game join |
bIsUseBackupSaveData |
True |
Palworld’s own world backups, in a backup folder. Adds disk load |
RESTAPIEnabled, RESTAPIPort |
False, 8212 |
The REST API. See REST API and RCON |
RCONEnabled, RCONPort |
False, 25575 |
RCON, which Pocketpair has deprecated |
Game rates
1.000000 is normal for every rate. Higher means more or faster.
| Setting | What it does |
|---|---|
ExpRate |
EXP gained |
PalCaptureRate |
How easy Pals are to catch |
PalSpawnNumRate |
How many Pals spawn. Raising it costs performance |
DayTimeSpeedRate, NightTimeSpeedRate |
How fast day and night pass |
CollectionDropRate |
Items from gathering, like wood and ore |
CollectionObjectRespawnSpeedRate |
How fast trees and rocks grow back |
EnemyDropItemRate |
Items dropped by enemies |
PalEggDefaultHatchingTime |
Hours to hatch a Huge Egg. Other eggs need time to hatch too |
PlayerDamageRateAttack, PlayerDamageRateDefense |
Damage players deal and take |
PalDamageRateAttack, PalDamageRateDefense |
Damage Pals deal and take |
PlayerStomachDecreaceRate, PalStomachDecreaceRate |
How fast players and Pals get hungry |
ItemWeightRate |
How heavy items are |
EquipmentDurabilityDamageRate |
How fast gear wears out |
BuildObjectDeteriorationDamageRate |
How fast buildings decay |
The setting names are spelled the way Pocketpair spells them, including Decreace. Copy them exactly.
Death and survival
| Setting | Default | What it does |
|---|---|---|
DeathPenalty |
Item |
What you drop when you die: None (nothing), Item (items, keep equipment), ItemAndEquipment (all items), All (all items and your team’s Pals) |
bHardcore |
False |
Hardcore: no respawning after death |
bCharacterRecreateInHardcore |
See file | In Hardcore, lets players make a new character after death |
bPalLost |
False |
Pals are lost for good when they die |
BlockRespawnTime |
See file | Seconds before you can respawn |
PvP
Pocketpair calls PvP a trial feature. Turn it on by setting these three to True, inside the OptionSettings line:
bIsPvP=True,bEnablePlayerToPlayerDamage=True,bEnableDefenseOtherGuildPlayer=TrueWith PvP on, players can hurt each other, base Pals defend against intruders, and other guilds can open your chests. Pocketpair’s PvP page lists the settings it suggests to keep fights fair.
Bases and guilds
| Setting | Default | What it does |
|---|---|---|
BaseCampMaxNumInGuild |
4 |
Bases per guild, up to 10. More bases means more load |
BaseCampWorkerMaxNum |
15 |
Pals working at each base, up to 50. More means more load |
BaseCampMaxNum |
See file | Total bases on the whole server |
GuildPlayerMaxNum |
20 |
Players per guild |
MaxBuildingLimitNum |
0 |
Buildings per player. 0 means no limit |
bAutoResetGuildNoOnlinePlayers |
False |
Removes a guild’s buildings and base Pals when nobody in it has played for a while |
AutoResetGuildTimeNoOnlinePlayers |
See file | Hours offline before that reset happens |
bBuildAreaLimit |
See file | Stops building near places like fast travel points |
Other features
| Setting | Default | What it does |
|---|---|---|
bEnableFastTravel |
True |
Fast travel |
bEnableFastTravelOnlyBaseCamp |
See file | Fast travel only between bases |
bEnableVoiceChat |
False |
In-game voice chat, new in 1.0. Not supported on the Microsoft Store PC version |
bEnableInvaderEnemy |
See file | Raids on bases |
bAllowGlobalPalboxExport, bAllowGlobalPalboxImport |
See file | Moving Pals in and out of the Global Palbox |
RandomizerType |
None |
Random Pal spawns: None, Region or All |
DenyTechnologyList |
Empty | Turns off certain technologies, by ID, such as DenyTechnologyList=("GrapplingGun") |
SupplyDropSpan |
180 |
Minutes between meteorite and supply drops |
“See file” means open DefaultPalWorldSettings.ini in Files for the exact default on your version.
Admin commands
First set an admin password under Settings > Players (or AdminPassword in the file) and restart. Then, in game, press Enter to open chat and type /AdminPassword yourpassword. You stay admin until you leave.
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
/AdminPassword <password> |
Makes you admin |
/ShowPlayers |
Lists everyone online, with their IDs |
/KickPlayer <SteamID> |
Kicks a player. They can rejoin |
/BanPlayer <SteamID> |
Bans a player |
/UnBanPlayer <SteamID> |
Lifts a ban |
/Broadcast <message> |
Sends a message to everyone |
/TeleportToPlayer <SteamID> |
Teleports you to a player |
/TeleportToMe <SteamID> |
Teleports a player to you |
/Save |
Saves the world now |
/Shutdown <seconds> <message> |
Shuts the server down after a countdown, with a message |
/DoExit |
Force stops the server with no countdown. Avoid it |
/ToggleSpectate |
Switches you to spectator mode |
/Info |
Shows server information |
Use /ShowPlayers to get the ID to type for kicks and bans. Bans are saved in Pal/Saved/SaveGames/banlist.txt.
In the panel, the Console has quick actions for the common jobs, like Message everyone and Kick, so you don’t need the admin password for those.
For a normal restart, use Restart on Overview, or a restart in Schedules that warns players first.
REST API and RCON
Pocketpair’s server has a REST API (default port 8212) and RCON (default port 25575). Pocketpair has marked RCON as deprecated and says it will stop working in a future update, so use the REST API for new tools.
- On Wilderack, both stay internal. The panel uses the REST API for the Console, saves and quick actions, and nobody on the internet can reach it.
- If you want your own tool to use them, you can open the port from the panel. You’ll see a warning first: Pocketpair says these APIs aren’t built to face the internet, and anyone who gets your admin password could control the server.
- The REST API signs in with your admin password. Pick a long one before you open it.
Which changes need a restart
| Change | When it applies |
|---|---|
Anything in PalWorldSettings.ini |
Next start |
| Easy settings in Settings | Next start. The panel offers Restart |
Admin commands like /BanPlayer |
Right away |
| Crossplay and community list changes | Next start |
Questions
Where is PalWorldSettings.ini on a Palworld server?
On a Linux server, which is what Wilderack runs, it is Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/PalWorldSettings.ini. It is created after the server's first start. Editing DefaultPalWorldSettings.ini does nothing.
Why don't my Palworld settings change?
The settings must stay on one long OptionSettings line, and the server only reads them when it starts. Also check the world folder for WorldOption.sav, which some worlds carry from single player and which wins over PalWorldSettings.ini.
How do I become admin on my Palworld server?
Set an admin password under Settings, Players, or as AdminPassword in PalWorldSettings.ini, and restart. Then join, press Enter to open chat and type /AdminPassword followed by your password. Do it again each time you join.
How do I change the death penalty on a Palworld server?
Set DeathPenalty to None, Item, ItemAndEquipment or All, then restart. None drops nothing, Item drops items but keeps equipment, ItemAndEquipment drops all items, and All also drops the Pals in your team.
Sources we checked
- Configuration parametersPocketpair
- CommandsPocketpair
- Palworld REST APIPocketpair
- PvPPocketpair
