How To Migrate Your Project Zomboid Server To Pine Hosting

Moving your Project Zomboid server to Pine Hosting is extremely simple. This guide covers how to migrate your server files with ease.

Step 1: Back Up Your Files

Note: On your old server or local PC, your folders will not be named Zomboid - they will be named after your original server name (e.g. servertest or MyServer). Replace [YourServerName] in the paths below with your actual server name.

Find and zip these folders into PZ_Backup.zip:

• [YourServerName]/Server/ (config files: .ini and SandboxVars.lua) - e.g. servertest/Server/
• [YourServerName]/Saves/Multiplayer/ (world saves) - e.g. servertest/Saves/Multiplayer/
• [YourServerName]/db/ (database file: .db) - e.g. servertest/db/
• [YourServerName]/mods/ (mods, if installed manually) - e.g. servertest/mods/

Step 2: Upload to Pine Hosting

⚠️ Before uploading, head to the Backups tab on your Pine server and create a backup - just in case.

You will need to use SFTP to upload your files. If you are not sure how to connect via SFTP, follow our guide here: How to use SFTP or watch this video: https://youtu.be/mIeLuW9I4i4

1. Connect to your server via SFTP
2. Upload your files to these locations:

Config → /.cache/Server/

• Rename [YourServerName].ini to Zomboid.ini
• Name must match your database and save folder

SandboxVars → /.cache/Server/

• Rename [YourServerName]_SandboxVars.lua to Zomboid_SandboxVars.lua

Saves → /home/container/.cache/Saves/Multiplayer/Zomboid/

• Rename your save folder to Zomboid (create the Zomboid folder if it does not exist)

Database → /home/container/.cache/db/

• Rename [YourServerName].db to Zomboid.db

Mods → /home/container/Zomboid/mods/

• Only for manually installed mods (Workshop mods install automatically)

Step 3: Set Up Your Server

Ensure the following names match exactly (Pine's server name defaults to Zomboid):

Config: Zomboid.ini

Database: Zomboid.db

Save Folder: Zomboid (inside .cache/Saves/Multiplayer/)

• Head over to the Console tab and Restart your server

Step 4: Update players.db and Zomboid.db

Updating both database files is required to correctly transfer characters from your old server. If not updated, players will be asked to create a new character.

Both files need the world column in the networkPlayers table set to Zomboid.

players.db - located at /.cache/Saves/Multiplayer/Zomboid/

1. Navigate to /.cache/Saves/Multiplayer/Zomboid/ and download players.db to your PC
2. Open it with DB Browser (SQLCipher)
3. In the networkPlayers table, check the world column - make sure every entry is set to Zomboid
4. Save the file and upload it back to /.cache/Saves/Multiplayer/Zomboid/

Zomboid.db - located at /.cache/db/

1. Navigate to /.cache/db/ and download Zomboid.db to your PC
2. Open it with DB Browser (SQLCipher)
3. In the networkPlayers table, check the world column - make sure every entry is set to Zomboid
4. Save the file and upload it back to /.cache/db/

For any more assistance, feel free to contact us on Discord or the Website.

Our custom panel has a wide variety of exclusive features that make editing and managing game servers a breeze. All game servers come with powerful hardware and a dedicated team of support members to help you build the servers exactly the way you want. Start your Project Zomboid server hosting journey today with Pine Hosting!