Running a Project Zomboid server is a rewarding challenge, allowing you to craft unique survival experiences for your community. However, to keep your server running smoothly, ensure fair play, and create engaging events, you need to master the arsenal of Project Zomboid server commands at your disposal.

These commands empower server admins to control gameplay, manage players, customize settings, and respond to emergencies quickly. Whether you're setting up a private co-op server or running a bustling public world, knowing these commands inside out will make your life much easier.

In this guide, we will cover essential commands every admin should know, explain their functions, and share best practices for their effective use.

Understanding Project Zomboid Server Commands

Project Zomboid server commands serve as direct communication lines between the admin and the game world. They allow you to interact with players, modify the environment, and tweak server behavior without restarting or editing config files manually.

Most commands require admin privileges, so the first step in managing your server is assigning the right permissions. Use the /grantadmin <username> command to promote trusted players to admin status, giving them access to powerful tools.

Commands are generally divided into two categories:

  • General commands: These let you spawn items, control events like zombie hordes or weather, teleport around the map, and more.
  • Moderation commands: These focus on player management, such as banning troublemakers, kicking inactive users, and setting permission levels.

It’s crucial to familiarize yourself with both categories to maintain an engaging and secure game environment.

Important Project Zomboid Server Commands to Know

General Commands (A–Z)

/additem

Gives a player a specific item. Example: /additem JohnDoe Base.Axe

/addvehicle
Spawns a vehicle at your current location. Example: /addvehicle Base.CarNormal

/addxp

Grants XP to a player in a specified skill. Example: /addxp JohnDoe Woodwork=100

/alarm

Sounds a building alarm—used to attract zombies if you're inside a room.

/changeoption

Modifies a server option on the fly.

/changepwd

Changes a player’s password.

/chopper

Spawns a helicopter event on a random player.

/createhorde

Spawns a zombie horde near you. Example: /createhorde 50

/godmode

Toggles invincibility for the player.

/gunshot

Plays a gunshot sound near the player—useful for testing zombie reactions.

/help

Displays a list of available commands.

/invisible

Makes you invisible to both players and zombies.

/noclip

Lets you move through walls and other solid objects.

/quit

Saves the world and safely exits the server.

/releasesafehouse

Releases a claimed safehouse back into the pool.

/reloadoptions

Reloads all current server options from config files.

/replay

Starts recording a gameplay replay.

/save

Forces a manual world save.

/sendpulse

Displays server performance and network data.

/showoptions

Shows all current server settings and configurations.

/startrain & /stoprain

Starts or stops rain effects in the game.

/teleport

Teleports you to a player. Example: /teleport JaneDoe

/teleportto

Teleports you to specified coordinates. Example: /teleportto 10650 9750 0

Moderation Commands (A–Z)

/addalltowhitelist

Adds all currently connected players to the whitelist.

/adduser

Manually adds a user to the server whitelist. Example: /adduser Survivor123

/banid

Bans a player using their Steam ID. Example: /banid 76561198000000000

/grantadmin

Grants a player admin rights. Example: /grantadmin JaneDoe

/kickuser

Kicks a user from the server immediately. Example: /kickuser TrollPlayer

/players

Displays a list of currently connected players.

/removeadmin

Revokes admin rights from a player. Example: /removeadmin JaneDoe

/servermsg

Sends a global message to all players. Example: /servermsg Server restart in 5 minutes!

/setaccesslevel

Sets a user’s access level (e.g., observer, moderator, admin). Example: /setaccesslevel JaneDoe admin

/unbanid

Unbans a previously banned Steam ID. Example: /unbanid 76561198000000000

/voiceban

Bans a player from using voice chat in-game.

Best Practices For Using Project Zomboid Server Commands

While commands give you tremendous power over your server, wielding them wisely is key to maintaining a positive player experience. Here are some tips and guidelines for admins:

1. Use Commands Transparently

When performing administrative actions like kicking or banning, it’s good practice to communicate your reasons clearly via /servermsg or in chat. This helps players understand server rules and reduces conflicts.

Example: /servermsg Player X was kicked for repeated griefing. Please respect others.`

2. Avoid Overusing Godmode, Invisible, and Noclip

These commands are invaluable for testing or investigating issues but can disrupt gameplay if used improperly. Use them sparingly and only when necessary, such as checking reports or staging events.

3. Schedule Regular Saves and Backups

Even though /save lets you manually save the world state, configure your server for regular auto-saves and backups to prevent data loss. Encourage players to log out safely using /quit during scheduled maintenance.

4. Test Spawn Commands Carefully

Commands like /addvehicle, /createhorde, or /chopper can drastically impact gameplay balance. Always test these in a controlled environment before spawning them on your live server to avoid unintentional chaos.

5. Manage Your Whitelist Effectively

Use /adduser and /addalltowhitelist to control who can join your server, especially for private or roleplay communities. Regularly audit your whitelist and ban lists to keep your player base healthy.

6. Monitor Server Performance

Commands like /sendpulse provide valuable insight into your server’s performance metrics. Regularly monitor these to identify lag spikes or potential hardware issues before they affect players.

7. Customize Server Options On-the-Fly

Using /changeoption and /reloadoptions allows you to tweak gameplay settings dynamically. This flexibility lets you respond to player feedback quickly and fine-tune your world’s difficulty or mechanics.

Experience the Best Project Zomboid Server Hosting

Mastering commands is only part of the equation. To truly provide an excellent gaming experience, your Project Zomboid server hosting must be reliable, fast, and flexible.

Here’s what to look for in a great hosting provider:

  • Performance and Uptime: Slow servers or downtime will frustrate your players. Choose a host with a strong reputation for speed and reliability.
  • Full Admin Access: The best hosts let you use all server commands and manage config files directly through easy-to-use control panels or console access.
  • Automatic Backups: Losing your world to a crash or corruption can be devastating. Ensure your host offers daily backups you can restore anytime.
  • Mod Support: If you use mods, confirm your host supports Workshop or manual mod installation.
  • Responsive Support: Technical problems happen. Having 24/7 support with quick response times is invaluable.
  • Scalability: Choose a host that allows easy upgrades as your server grows, so you can handle more players or increase world size smoothly.

With the right combination of powerful server commands and a quality hosting environment, your Project Zomboid server can become a thriving hub for survivors