How to Set Up a Don't Starve Together Dedicated Server

Option 1: by hand with SteamCMD

The Don't Starve Together Dedicated Server is a free, anonymous download from Steam, application 343050, about 4.3 GB, with builds for Linux, Windows and macOS.

1. Install SteamCMD, then run: +login anonymous +app_update 343050 validate +quit
2. Make a cluster token at accounts.klei.com (Games, then Game Servers, Add New Server) and save it as cluster_token.txt in a cluster folder, for example Cluster_1.
3. Write cluster.ini in that folder: the name, password, play style and player limit, and a [SHARD] section with shard_enabled = true for the Caves.
4. Make a Master and a Caves folder, each with its own server.ini (a different server_port each, is_master = true on Master only), and a worldgenoverride.lua with the DST_CAVE preset in Caves.
5. From bin64, start both: dontstarve_dedicated_server_nullrenderer_x64 -cluster Cluster_1 -shard Master, and the same with -shard Caves.
6. Open both game ports, UDP (11000 and 10999 in our setup).

Option 2: Docker

runonflux/dst-server-flux, our image, runs the surface and the Caves in one container. It installs and updates the server with SteamCMD on every start, writes cluster.ini and both shards from environment variables (DST_CLUSTER_TOKEN, DST_NAME, DST_PASSWORD, DST_PLAYSTYLE, DST_CAVES, DST_MAX_PLAYERS, DST_MODS...), saves both worlds on stop, restarts for game and mod updates, and gives the console a command, flux-console. Its source is on GitHub, RunOnFlux/dst-server-flux.

• Mount /mnt/dst/data on a volume: the cluster, both worlds and the settings live there.
• Mount /mnt/dst/server too, or every start downloads the 4.3 GB install again.
• Publish 11000 and 10999, UDP: the surface and the Caves.

Option 3: managed on Flux

Deploy a Don't Starve Together server on the Flux decentralized cloud, on that same image, with the ports opened and routed for you, DDoS protection included, and a dashboard with your settings, world options and mods as forms, the server console, a file browser, a live terminal and backups. Plans start at $4.49 a month, the Caves included.

1. Pick the 4, 8 or 16-player plan.
2. Choose a region close to your players.
3. Name the server, pick a play style, paste your free Klei cluster token and deploy. The first start downloads about 4.3 GB.
4. Find it by name in the game's Browse Games.