Zombie Apocalypse Admin: Command Your PZ Server Like a Boss

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Instant Answer (For the Impatient)

Press T to open chat and type /help for all available admin commands. To use these, you must be logged in as an admin (either as host or with admin rights). For admin access, log in with your admin account or have an existing admin use /setaccesslevel "YourName" admin. For comprehensive server management, see our complete admin guide.

Quick-Start Guide for New Server Admins

So, you've started a Project Zomboid server and want to wield those admin powers ASAP? This section gets you up and running in minutes:

1. Gain Admin Access: By default, a new server has an "admin" user. If you're hosting, use the username admin and the admin password you set in the server config. If you're already in-game as a regular player, an existing admin can promote you with /setaccesslevel "YourUsername" admin. Having trouble with admin access? Check our admin panel troubleshooting guide.
2. Open the Admin Panel: You should now see an "Admin" icon in the in-game HUD. Click it to reveal admin options like creative mode, item list, etc.
3. Use Chat Commands: Press T to open the chat box. To issue a command, start with a forward slash /. For example, to teleport to a player named Casey, type /teleport "YourName" "Casey"
4. Try Basic Commands: Start with:
   • /players – Lists all online players
   • /noclip – Toggles no-clip mode
   • /godmode – Toggles invincibility
   • /additem "YourName" "Base.Axe" 1 – Spawns 1 Axe in your inventory
5. Learn on the Go: Type /help in chat for a full list of commands

Becoming an Admin (Setup & Access Levels)

Before you can use any admin command, the game needs to recognize you as an admin. Here's how administration works in PZ:

Default Admin Account

Every server has a built-in admin user. If you're hosting the server, you should set an admin password in the ServerSettings.ini:

Promoting a Player to Admin

If you already have a character on the server and don't want to rejoin as "admin":

• Via server console/RCON: grantadmin "YourUsername"
• From another admin in-game: /setaccesslevel "YourUsername" admin

Access Level Hierarchy

Not everyone needs full admin powers. PZ supports multiple access levels:

To assign these levels, use:

Player Management: Whitelisting, Kicks, Bans, and More

Whitelisting New Players

If your server is set to whitelisted (meaning only approved accounts can join), you'll use these commands often:

• /adduser "username" "password" – Adds a new user to the whitelist with the given password
• /addusertowhitelist "username" – Adds a currently connected user to the whitelist
• /addalltowhitelist – Adds all currently online players to the whitelist
• /removeuserfromwhitelist "username" – Removes a user from the whitelist

Kick & Ban Users

Sometimes you need to remove troublemakers:

• /kickuser "playername" -r "Optional reason" – Immediately disconnects that player
• /banuser "playername" -r "reason" – Bans by username. Add -ip to also ban their IP address
• /banid SteamID – Bans by the player's SteamID (more foolproof)
• /unbanuser "playername" – Removes a username ban
• /unbanid SteamID – Removes a SteamID ban

Monitoring and Assisting Players

Helpful commands for day-to-day admin tasks:

• /players – Shows list of connected players and their ping
• /invisible "playername" true – Makes that player invisible to zombies
• /voiceban "playername" true – Mutes their in-game voice (use false to unmute)
• /releasesafehouse – Frees up a safehouse (if an inactive player claimed it)

World & Environment Management

One of the joys of being an admin is the ability to bend the game world to your will. Want to play zombie god and drop a horde on that over-confident player? You can.

Spawn Vehicles

This is one of the coolest commands available to admins:

For mod vehicles, you need the exact internal ID. Check the mod's documentation for the correct Base.Whatever ID.

Admin Cheats

Use these commands to make yourself or other players invincible or ghost-like:

• /godmode – Makes a player invulnerable. Use with a name to toggle on someone else, or on yourself
• /invisible – Zombies won't see you (or target player)
• /noclip – Pass through walls and objects

Brush Tool & Advanced Editing

For more advanced map editing (available in Build 41.73+):

1. Enable Debug Mode (start game with -debug flag)
2. Access the Debug menu as admin
3. Select "Brush Tool" option
4. Use it to copy/paste/delete tiles or create fire/smoke/explosions

Warning: There's no undo function, so practice on a test save first!

Server Administration & Technical Controls

Running the world is one thing, but running the server is another. Admin commands let you tweak server configurations on the fly and manage the technical side:

Changing Server Options Live

/changeoption OptionName "Value" is a powerful command for mid-game adjustments:

• /changeoption SleepAllowed true – Enable sleeping
• /changeoption WaterShut 0 – Turn off water shutoff
• /showoptions – View all current settings
• /reloadoptions – Apply settings from edited config files

Remote Console (RCON)

RCON allows you to control the server remotely without being in-game:

1. Enable RCON by adding -enablercon flag when starting the server
2. Set RCON port and password in the server JSON config
3. Use an RCON tool like mcrcon to connect and send commands
4. Type commands without the leading / (e.g., servermsg "Server restarting in 5 minutes")

Admin Logging and Stats

Commands for monitoring server performance:

• /stats [none|file|console|all] <period> – Controls server stat collection
• /sendpulse – Toggles sending performance info to your client

Backup Strategy

Not a command, but critical advice:

• Regularly backup your Saves/Multiplayer/<servertest> folder
• Many hosts do this automatically - check if yours does
• Be especially cautious with build updates or heavy modding

Advanced Tips: Admin Mods and Automation

Take your admin powers to the next level with these advanced tools and techniques:

Protecting the World from Admins

It's surprisingly easy to mess something up as admin:

• Always keep recent backups of your server
• Consider mods like Valhalla or TileProtect to prevent building destruction
• If you accidentally kill someone via admin powers, be prepared to compensate
• Be mindful of server limits - spawning too many items or zombies can cause crashes

Build 41 to Build 42 – Key Admin/Server Changes

Future outlook: The devs have hinted at NPCs in future builds (Build 43+). When NPCs arrive, admins might get new controls for spawning and managing NPCs, plus further integration with web services.

Conclusion: Thriving as an Admin

Running a Project Zomboid server is a bit like being the zombie apocalypse dungeon master. You're not just a player; you're the curator of everyone's experience. Some days, you're using your powers to quietly fix problems – like a janitor cleaning up glitches and banning the occasional bad apple. Other days, you're essentially a game god, dropping surprises and making the world more dynamic and fun.

Good adminning is an art. Use the commands not just to fix issues but to create stories. However, always communicate and be fair – don't abuse powers in competitive contexts, and always ensure players are having fun, not just you.

Project Zomboid's depth as a survival game only grows with a talented admin at the helm of a multiplayer server. With this toolbox of commands, tips, and tools, you're well-equipped to handle crises and craft epic scenarios. Whether you're teleporting a newbie out of a jam, or running a server-wide last stand event, you've got the knowledge to do it.

Happy governing of the zombie apocalypse, and remember: Aim for the head, and keep that banhammer ready!

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