> ## 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. # Terraria serverconfig.txt and Server Settings Explained > Terraria server settings explained: what each Game settings field does, its serverconfig.txt key, and why Startup values overwrite the file at every start. A Terraria server reads its settings from `serverconfig.txt`. On FREAKHOSTING you change them on the **Game settings** page. Fields tagged **STARTUP** (world name, difficulty, size, seed, password, message of the day, player slots, enemy smoothing) are kept on the **Startup** page and written into `serverconfig.txt` every time the server starts, so they always win. All other fields are written straight to `serverconfig.txt`. | Difficulty | Time | Works on | Panel pages | | - | - | - | - | | Beginner | 10 minutes | Every FREAKHOSTING Terraria server | **Game settings**, **Startup**, **Files** | ## Which setting wins? | You change it in | What happens | | - | - | | **Game settings**, field tagged **STARTUP** | Saved on **Startup**. Written into `serverconfig.txt` at the next start | | **Game settings**, other fields | Written to `serverconfig.txt` straight away. Applies after a restart | | **Startup** page | Same as a **STARTUP** field. Written into `serverconfig.txt` at every start | | `serverconfig.txt` by hand | Kept for non-Startup lines. Startup lines are overwritten at the next start | | Console (`password`, `motd`) | Only until the server stops | Example from our test: we changed **Message of the day** in **Game settings** while the server was stopped. `serverconfig.txt` showed `motd=` with the new text after the next start, because the Startup value is written into the file each time. ## How to change a setting **1. Open Game settings** Open your server in the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and click **Game settings** under **GAME SETTINGS**. Use **Search settings** to find a field, or the **Changed** filter to see what you have changed. **2. Expand the section and edit** Expand the section first, then change the field. Tick **Show advanced settings** for the extra fields. **3. Review and save** Click **Review and save**. The **Review your changes** dialog lists the changes for "Startup settings (the Startup page)" and for `serverconfig.txt`. Click **Save changes**. **4. Restart** Restart the server. If it is running, the dialog says "The server is running, so the changes apply after a restart." ![Review your changes dialog in Terraria Game settings with Startup settings and serverconfig.txt sections](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/dCZ9JIDc2HjHnuiD/images/games/terraria/terraria-review-changes.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=dCZ9JIDc2HjHnuiD\&q=85\&s=cce2b21a33b6b3a25166b67395d1b015) Review your changes shows Startup and serverconfig.txt changes separately The old file is kept as `serverconfig.txt.bak`. To edit the file yourself, click **serverconfig.txt: open the raw file** above the save bar. ## Every Game settings field ### Server | Field | Stored in | `serverconfig.txt` key | Notes | | - | - | - | - | | Message of the day | Startup | `motd` | Shown to players when they join | | Server password | Startup | `password` | Empty means an open server | | Player slots | Startup | `maxplayers` | Fixed by your hosting plan | | Server language | File | `language` | English, German, Italian, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Portuguese or Polish | | Extra cheat protection | File | `secure` | Checks more of what clients send. Turn it on for a public server | | Ban list file (advanced) | File | `banlist` | `banlist.txt` by default | ### New world | Field | Stored in | `serverconfig.txt` key | Notes | | - | - | - | - | | World name | Startup | `worldname`, `world` | Also the file name, `.wld` | | World difficulty | Startup | `difficulty` | 0 Classic, 1 Expert, 2 Master, 3 Journey | | World size | Startup | `autocreate` | 1 Small, 2 Medium, 3 Large | | World seed | Startup | `seed` | Empty for random | These four only matter when a world is created. An existing world keeps its own difficulty and size. ### Performance and safety | Field | Stored in | `serverconfig.txt` key | Notes | | - | - | - | - | | Enemy smoothing | Startup | `npcstream` | Lower is smoother but uses more data; 0 is off | | Slow liquids | File | Written by **Game settings** | Fewer liquids move at once | | World backups to keep | File | `worldrollbackstokeep` | 2 by default | | Process priority (advanced) | File | `priority` | No real effect on a hosted server; leave it | | Automatic port forwarding (UPnP) (advanced) | File | `upnp` | Not used on a hosted server; leave it off | ### Journey mode powers (advanced) Fifteen `journeypermission_*` keys. See [Journey mode settings](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/terraria/configuring-journey-mode-settings.md). ## Checks and presets The **Checks** box flags settings worth a look. On a new server it notes "Cheat protection is off", with **Turn it on** and **Go to the setting** buttons. **Presets** fill in several settings at once: | Preset | What it does | | - | - | | **Journey: everyone can use powers** | Every Journey power set to "everyone" | | **Journey: only the host** | Every Journey power set to "only the host" | | **Public server** | Cheat protection on, smoother enemies | ## Frequently asked questions ### Where is serverconfig.txt? In the main folder of your server. Open it in **Files** or with the raw file link in **Game settings**. ### Why did my edit in serverconfig.txt disappear? You edited a Startup line, such as `motd` or `password`. Change it in **Game settings** or on **Startup** instead. ### Where can I see the server version? **Terraria version** on the **Startup** page, and the console line `Terraria Server v…` at start. ### Should I turn on Extra cheat protection? For a public server, yes. For friends only, it is optional. ## Related guides > [card] [Terraria server guide](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/terraria/terraria-server-hosting-guide.md) > > Every Terraria page in one place. > [card] [Console commands](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/terraria/terraria-server-console-commands.md) > > Commands that change settings live. > [card] [Server lag](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/terraria/fixing-terraria-server-lag.md) > > Performance settings. > [card] [Journey mode settings](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/terraria/configuring-journey-mode-settings.md) > > The 15 Journey powers. > [card] [Startup variables](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-configure-startup-variables.md) > > The Startup page. *** > [!NOTE] > > **Tested by the FREAKHOSTING team** on our Game Panel on 31 October 2026 (Terraria 1.4.5.6, vanilla server). Config keys checked against the official [Terraria Wiki Server page](https://terraria.wiki.gg/wiki/Server). 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 This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.