Dedicated server guide

Don't Starve Together

Manage dstserver with AlphaGSM. Choose a runtime supported by the recorded module capabilities.

Operator-provided prerequisites required · Support evidence: 2026-10-16.

Runtime familysteamcmd-linux

Declared runtimes: Docker or a Linux host process.

Network bindings

10999/UDP, 10999/TCP. Named port values remain unknown; review the game guide and configuration for additional requirements.

Mods and plugins

No mod support is declared in this snapshot; review the game guide before adding mods.

Backup hook

A module-specific backup hook is declared. Review the game guide for its scope, restore procedure and shutdown requirements.

Choose a supported runtime

Linux and Docker quickstart

Operator-provided game files, runtime or other prerequisites are required; follow the game guide before setup.

Docker

Complete interactive setup and review game-specific configuration before starting the server. Operator-provided game files, runtime or other prerequisites are required; follow the game guide before setup.

Start the Docker manager ./alphagsm-docker start
Create the game instance ./alphagsm-docker my-dstserver create dstserver
Complete interactive setup ./alphagsm-docker my-dstserver setup
Start the game server ./alphagsm-docker my-dstserver start
Check the instance status ./alphagsm-docker my-dstserver status

./alphagsm-docker start
./alphagsm-docker my-dstserver create dstserver
./alphagsm-docker my-dstserver setup
./alphagsm-docker my-dstserver start
./alphagsm-docker my-dstserver status

Host process

Create the game instance ./alphagsm my-dstserver create dstserver
Complete interactive setup ./alphagsm my-dstserver setup
Check the host prerequisites ./alphagsm my-dstserver doctor
Start the game server ./alphagsm my-dstserver start
Check the instance status ./alphagsm my-dstserver status

./alphagsm my-dstserver create dstserver
./alphagsm my-dstserver setup
./alphagsm my-dstserver doctor
./alphagsm my-dstserver start
./alphagsm my-dstserver status

This guide covers the dstserver module in AlphaGSM.

dstserver is currently ENABLED (BYO) on the documented Ubuntu 24.04 Linux baseline. The current GitHub integration lane still exercises both process and Docker runtime selection around that staged cluster-config prerequisite, while local runs remain process-backed by default unless you opt into the Docker backend.

Requirements

screen
SteamCMD runtime libraries (lib32gcc-s1, lib32stdc++6)
Python packages from requirements.txt

Quick Start

Create the server:

alphagsm mydstserve create dstserver

Run setup:

alphagsm mydstserve setup

Start it:

alphagsm mydstserve start

Check it:

alphagsm mydstserve status

Stop it:

alphagsm mydstserve stop

Setup Details

Setup configures:

the game port (default 10999)
the install directory
SteamCMD downloads the server files

Don't Starve Together is supported in ENABLED (BYO) mode in AlphaGSM. The anonymous server payload installs, but startup still exits immediately unless you provide both:

a real cluster_token.txt
a real cluster config directory for the world you want to run

With the module defaults, AlphaGSM starts DST with:

-persistent_storage_root <install_dir>
-conf_dir DoNotStarveTogether
-cluster <server-name>
-shard Master

That means the expected default layout is:

<install_dir>/DoNotStarveTogether/<server-name>/
├── cluster_token.txt
├── cluster.ini
└── Master/
    └── server.ini

If you change cluster, shard, or confdir with alphagsm set, place the files under the matching adjusted path before retrying start.

Example:

alphagsm mydstserve create dstserver
alphagsm mydstserve setup
mkdir -p "<install_dir>/DoNotStarveTogether/mydstserve/Master"
## Copy your real Klei token and cluster config into that directory tree
alphagsm mydstserve start

Useful Commands

alphagsm mydstserve update
alphagsm mydstserve backup

Notes

Module name: dstserver
Default port: 10999

Server variables

After create dstserver, inspect or change these with set:

alphagsm myserver set --list
alphagsm myserver set KEY --describe
alphagsm myserver set KEY VALUE

This module does not declare schema-backed keys. set --list after create is still the live source of truth.

Developer Notes

Run File

Executable: bin64/dontstarve_dedicated_server_nullrenderer_x64
Location: <install_dir>/bin64/dontstarve_dedicated_server_nullrenderer_x64
Engine: Custom (SteamCMD)
SteamCMD App ID: 343050

Server Configuration

Config file: See game module source
Template: See server-templates/dstserver/ if available

Maps and Mods

Map directory: Check game documentation
Mod directory: Check game documentation
Workshop support: No

BYO file helper

Inspect this game's required files, source instructions and destinations with alphagsm <server-name> assets requirements; check the declared files with alphagsm <server-name> assets check. File checks do not establish game readiness. This helper checks known sentinels only and directs you to stage the complete compatible distribution manually; managed import is unavailable for this recipe. See BYO files and private SteamCMD acquisition.

Configuration templates

Reference files from this source revision. Review paths, passwords and game-specific settings before use.

Share your server

Sector Alpha server directory

When your server is ready, you can publish its connection details and community information on Sector Alpha. Review your listing and keep the information current.

Find a community

Browse the directory for game servers and their published connection details.

Browse server directory

Publish your server

Prepare a name, address and description for your listing.

Publish a server

Manual server sharing instructions

Frequently asked questions

What support evidence is recorded for Don't Starve Together?

Operator-provided prerequisites required. Operator-provided game files, runtime or other prerequisites are required; follow the game guide before setup.

Which runtimes can run Don't Starve Together?

Declared runtimes: Docker or a Linux host process.

Which ports does Don't Starve Together use?

10999/UDP, 10999/TCP. Named port values remain unknown; review the game guide and configuration for additional requirements.

Can I add mods to Don't Starve Together?

No mod support is declared in this snapshot; review the game guide before adding mods.

How should I back up Don't Starve Together?

A module-specific backup hook is declared. Review the game guide for its scope, restore procedure and shutdown requirements.

Source and support evidence

This guide mirrors AlphaGSM’s upstream documentation at 32cef5ba9e03053c8e461fffa0ba133b160b528d. Commands and prerequisites can change. Check current support notes before installation.

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