> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.freakhosting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Sons of the Forest Dedicated Server Guide

> Sons of the Forest dedicated server guide: set up, change the password and difficulty, edit dedicatedserver.cfg, use cheats, add admins and manage saves.

A FREAKHOSTING Sons of the Forest dedicated server is managed in the Game Panel with two pages: **Startup**, for the server name, join password, game mode and save slot, and **Files**, for `serverconfig/dedicatedserver.cfg` (world settings) and `serverconfig/ownerswhitelist.txt` (owners). New servers have no join password, so set one first. World settings such as season length, enemy aggression and cheats apply only when the server creates a new world.

| Game | Panel pages | Settings file | Max players |
| - | - | - | - |
| Sons of the Forest (Steam, PC) | **Startup**, **Files**, **Console**, **Backups** | `serverconfig/dedicatedserver.cfg` | Up to 8 (your plan's **Max Players**) |

## Most asked

1. [Is there a teleport player to me command?](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/teleporting-players.md) No: `goto x y z` moves only you, and the Teleporter takes you to its pad.
2. [How long does winter last?](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/configuring-season-length.md) 5 in-game days by default, 3 on Short, 10 on Long, 90 on Realistic.
3. [What is the infinite log command?](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/infinite-logs-and-build-hacks.md) `loghack on` in the F1 console.
4. [Item IDs for additem](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/item-spawning-ids.md): shovel `485`, rope gun `522`, rebreather `444`.
5. [How do I change enemy aggression?](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/tuning-enemy-aggression.md) `GameSetting.Vail.EnemyAggression` in a custom world.
6. [How does sleep work in multiplayer?](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/multiplayer-sleep-settings.md) Everyone has to sleep at the same time.
7. [How do I turn on tree regrowth?](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/enabling-tree-regrowth.md) `"Gameplay.TreeRegrowth": true` in `GameSettings`.
8. [How do I use console commands on a server?](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/console-commands-cheatstick.md) Create a custom world with `GameSetting.Multiplayer.Cheats` on, then type `cheatstick` and press **F1**.

## How settings work on a Sons of the Forest server

| What you want to change | Where | When it applies |
| - | - | - |
| Server name, join password | **Startup**: **Server Name**, **Password** | Next restart |
| Difficulty | **Startup**: **Gamemode** | New world only |
| Which world runs | **Startup**: **Save Slot** | Next restart |
| Tree regrowth, building damage | `GameSettings` in `dedicatedserver.cfg` | Next restart, also on your current world |
| Seasons, day length, enemies, cheats | `CustomGameModeSettings` in `dedicatedserver.cfg`, with **Gamemode** `custom` | New world only |
| Owners | `ownerswhitelist.txt` | Next restart |

![Sons of the Forest Startup page in the Game Panel showing the startup command and the Server Name, Password, Gamemode, Skip network Test and Save Slot variables](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/4h1IkXVQmzT6o2no/images/games/sons-of-the-forest/sotf-startup.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=4h1IkXVQmzT6o2no\&q=85\&s=1e26f342d113c169023ae5854eca87a5)

The Startup page of a Sons of the Forest server

## Your first 10 minutes

1. Set **Password** on **Startup** (it shows `none`, meaning no password) if you don't want strangers joining.
2. Set **Server Name** and choose **Gamemode** before the first start.
3. Start the server and wait for the **Console** to finish.
4. Join from **Multiplayer** > **Join** with the source set to **Dedicated**.
5. Add your SteamID64 to `ownerswhitelist.txt` and restart, so you can kick and ban.
6. Create a backup in **Backups**.

The full walkthrough is on [set up your server](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/getting-started-with-your-sons-of-the-forest-server.md).

## Start here

> **[Set up your server](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/getting-started-with-your-sons-of-the-forest-server.md)**
>
> Password, name, game mode, first start and joining.

## Game Panel guides

> **[Change difficulty](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/how-to-change-difficulty-and-season-length-in-sons-of-the-forest.md)**
>
> Gamemode and the custom game mode.

> **[dedicatedserver.cfg explained](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/dedicated-server-admin-config.md)**
>
> Every setting in the server config file.

> **[Save slots](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/managing-save-slots-in-sons-of-the-forest.md)**
>
> New worlds and uploading your save.

> **[Set up admins](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/setting-up-admins-for-sons-of-the-forest.md)**
>
> ownerswhitelist.txt, kick and ban.

## Commands and settings

> **[Teleport players](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/teleporting-players.md)**
>
> goto and the Teleporter.

> **[Console commands](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/console-commands-cheatstick.md)**
>
> cheatstick and cheats on a server.

> **[Item IDs](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/item-spawning-ids.md)**
>
> Spawn items with additem.

> **[Infinite logs](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/infinite-logs-and-build-hacks.md)**
>
> loghack, buildhack and instant building.

> **[Season length](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/configuring-season-length.md)**
>
> How long winter lasts and how to change it.

> **[Enemy aggression](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/tuning-enemy-aggression.md)**
>
> Enemy settings for custom worlds.

> **[Sleep in multiplayer](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/multiplayer-sleep-settings.md)**
>
> How sleeping skips time.

> **[Tree regrowth](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/enabling-tree-regrowth.md)**
>
> Let cut trees grow back.

## Guides and tips

> **[Kelvin and Virginia](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/managing-kelvin-and-virginia.md)**
>
> Companion orders and respawning.

## Troubleshooting

> **[Server not showing](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/sons-of-the-forest-server-not-showing.md)**
>
> Fix a server that isn't in the list.

## Frequently asked questions

### Where is dedicatedserver.cfg on my server?

In **Files**, in the `serverconfig` folder. See [dedicatedserver.cfg explained](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/dedicated-server-admin-config.md).

### Do cheats work on a Sons of the Forest dedicated server?

Yes, on a world created in the custom game mode with `"GameSetting.Multiplayer.Cheats": true`. See [console commands](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/console-commands-cheatstick.md).

### Can I change the difficulty of my current world?

No. Game mode and custom settings apply to new worlds. Only tree regrowth and building damage change on an existing world.

### How do I back up my world?

Use **Backups** in the Game Panel, or set up [automatic backups](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-set-up-automatic-backups.md).

## Related guides

> **[File Manager](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-use-the-file-manager.md)**
>
> Open and edit dedicatedserver.cfg.

> **[Startup variables](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-configure-startup-variables.md)**
>
> How the Startup page works.

> **[Backups](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-create-and-restore-backups.md)**
>
> Create and restore backups.

> **[Server console](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-use-the-server-console.md)**
>
> Watch your server start.

***

> [!NOTE]
>
> **Tested by the FREAKHOSTING team** on our Game Panel on 30 October 2026 (Sons of the Forest dedicated server on our Game Panel). Settings checked against the [official dedicated server guide](https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2992700419). Steps may differ slightly if the game changes.

> [!NOTE]
>
> ### Need Extra Help?
>
> If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:
>
> * **Live Chat:** Quick assistance via our website.
> * **Support Ticket:** [Open a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
> * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
> * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)

> [!TIP]
>
> ### Save on Your Hosting
>
> Ready to upgrade your hosting? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first order!

***

**Last Updated:** October 2026


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