Dedicated server guide

Terraria tModLoader

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

Recorded lifecycle pass · Support evidence: 2026-10-16.

Anonymous Workshop Process and Docker load passed for public dedicated-server content. Mod installation explains add, apply, and cleanup.

Build setup commands

Runtime familysteamcmd-linux

Declared runtimes: Docker or a Linux host process.

Network bindings

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

Mods and plugins

For Workshop content, use the setup builder with an actual game-compatible item ID; review supported content types in the guide. Anonymous Steam Workshop content for this module passed both process and Docker load. After setup, record an item with mod add workshop using a numeric ID or Steam Workshop URL, then run mod apply.

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

Review the game guide for installation, account, licensing and runtime prerequisites before setup.

Docker

Complete interactive setup and review game-specific configuration before starting the server. Review the game guide for installation, account, licensing and runtime prerequisites before setup.

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

./alphagsm-docker start
./alphagsm-docker my-terraria-tmodloader create terraria.tmodloader
./alphagsm-docker my-terraria-tmodloader setup
./alphagsm-docker my-terraria-tmodloader start
./alphagsm-docker my-terraria-tmodloader status

Host process

Complete interactive setup and review game-specific configuration before starting the server. Review the game guide for installation, account, licensing and runtime prerequisites before setup.

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

./alphagsm my-terraria-tmodloader create terraria.tmodloader
./alphagsm my-terraria-tmodloader setup
./alphagsm my-terraria-tmodloader doctor
./alphagsm my-terraria-tmodloader start
./alphagsm my-terraria-tmodloader status

tModLoader hosts multiplayer Terraria worlds with server-compatible mods. AlphaGSM installs the official public GitHub release and uses direct IP connections without a Steam client login.

alphagsm mytml create terraria.tmodloader
alphagsm mytml setup -n 7777 ~/mytml
alphagsm mytml start --autocreate
alphagsm mytml status
alphagsm mytml query
alphagsm mytml info --json
alphagsm mytml stop

Use --autocreate to create the configured world when it is missing. Existing worlds are retained. Players need a matching Terraria/tModLoader version and the server's mods.

For a specific official release, add --version v2026.08.3.0 to setup. update follows the selected release; installations using the default latest release follow upstream stable releases.

Workshop mods

Stop the server before changing mods. For example, Census provides a multiplayer-compatible town NPC checklist and its own server console command:

alphagsm mytml mod add workshop https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2687866031
alphagsm mytml mod apply
alphagsm mytml start --autocreate
alphagsm mytml send TownProgress

Items and collections both accept numeric IDs or official Workshop URLs:

alphagsm mytml mod add workshop-collection COLLECTION_ID_OR_URL
alphagsm mytml mod list
alphagsm mytml mod remove workshop ITEM_ID_OR_URL
alphagsm mytml mod apply
alphagsm mytml mod cleanup

AlphaGSM checks every collection member against tModLoader's game AppID 1281930, downloads anonymously, verifies TMOD package hashes and internal paths, and selects the latest compatible package for the installed release. Its adapter targets the 1.4.4 mod format. Use mods marked Both or Server, and add their required dependencies explicitly. Client-only features cannot establish server support.

Managed packages go in Mods/<internal-mod-name>.tmod; enabled names are maintained in Mods/enabled.json. Existing operator mod names are preserved. AlphaGSM refuses to replace unowned packages or delete externally edited managed packages. Cleanup removes owned packages and enabled entries while retaining download caches, worlds and operator content. mod list reports configuration, not proof that the engine loaded a mod.

Settings and files

Game port: TCP 7777 by default.
Configuration: serverconfig.txt; set synchronizes declared gameplay settings.
Worlds: Worlds/; native mod save data: Saved/; manual mods: Mods/.
Backups include worlds, saves, mods and server configuration.
Query/info use Terraria's framed native handshake.
Docker uses the shared steamcmd-linux runtime family and the same native launcher.

The upstream launcher installs its required .NET runtime on first startup, so startup needs internet access and can take longer than subsequent launches.

Validation

The integration cases drive create, setup, start, readiness, status, query, info, info JSON, stop and shutdown through AlphaGSM for process and Docker runtimes. The opt-in Workshop case requires fresh output from Census's actual TownProgress command, rather than accepting a downloaded file or enabled JSON entry as load evidence.

ALPHAGSM_RUN_INTEGRATION=1 ALPHAGSM_RUN_STEAMCMD=1 ALPHAGSM_RUN_WORKSHOP=1 \
  python -m pytest tests/integration_tests/test_terraria_tmodloader.py -v

Process and branch-local Docker validation passed on tModLoader v2026.08.3.0: both baseline and Workshop lifecycles succeeded, and Census executed its own server console command in each Workshop case. These checks prove mod loading and command execution, not every gameplay feature.

Sources: upstream server guide, release assets, Census Workshop page.

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 Terraria tModLoader?

Recorded lifecycle pass. Review the game guide for installation, account, licensing and runtime prerequisites before setup.

Which runtimes can run Terraria tModLoader?

Declared runtimes: Docker or a Linux host process.

Which ports does Terraria tModLoader use?

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

Can I add mods to Terraria tModLoader?

How should I back up Terraria tModLoader?

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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