Palworld Dedicated Server Launch Options and Startup Arguments Explained
Palworld's dedicated server accepts command-line arguments that control its port, player count, public listing and performance. On ChicagoServers you rarely need to type them, because the Startup tab exposes the common ones as fields. This guide explains what each argument does so you know what the panel is changing and what a setting like -publicport really affects.
Everything below was checked on 2026-11-15 against Pocketpair's official server documentation for launch arguments. Defaults can change between game updates, so treat the values as a reference and verify after a big patch. If you came to change gameplay rules such as XP or damage, you want the Palworld server settings guide instead, because those are not launch arguments.
-port=8211is the game port and-players=32is the player cap in the official examples.-publiclobbylists the server as a community server. In the panel this is the List in community servers field.-publicipand-publicportchange what the server advertises. They do not change the port it listens on.- On ChicagoServers the full launch line is managed for you. Name, description, passwords, port and slots are Startup fields, and the raw launch line is staff-only.
- Do not put gameplay settings such as XP rate or death penalty in the launch line. They belong in the world settings.
On this page
Launch arguments at a glance
| Argument | What it does |
|---|---|
-port=8211 | The UDP port the server listens on. 8211 is the documented default. |
-players=32 | Maximum number of players. 32 is the value used in the official example. |
-publiclobby | Makes the server appear in the community server list. |
-publicip=IP | The public IP address the server advertises to the list. |
-publicport=PORT | The public port the server advertises. It does not change the port the server listens on. |
-useperfthreads | Performance thread option. |
-NoAsyncLoadingThread | Performance option used alongside the thread flags. |
-UseMultithreadForDS | Lets the dedicated server use multiple threads. |
-NumberOfWorkerThreadsServer=X | Sets the number of worker threads, where X is a number. |
-logformat=text or json | Chooses the log output format. |
-enable-gamedata-api | Turns on the game data API listed in the official docs. |
Port and player count
-port is the port players connect to, and the game uses UDP. Clients reach your server at its address plus that port. -players sets the cap, and you can pick any number up to what the game supports. More connected players use more CPU and memory. See Palworld lag and crash fixes if you are sizing a busy server.
On ChicagoServers, the port and slot count are shown on the Startup tab and the Network section. They are set for the server's allocation, so there is nothing to edit in the ini file. If you change a field, click Save startup and then Restart.
Public listing: -publiclobby, -publicip and -publicport
These three are the most misunderstood. -publiclobby is the switch that puts the server in the community list. -publicip and -publicport only tell the list which address and port to show. The official docs state that -publicport does not change the port the server actually listens on, so setting it differently from -port will not move the server. It can make the listing point somewhere players cannot connect.
- On ChicagoServers, turn on List in community servers in the Startup tab, save and restart. You should not need to set the public address by hand.
- Listing is not required for friends to join. They can connect directly using the server address and port, so you can leave listing off for a private server.
- Leave Server password set if you want a private world, listed or not.
Joining from a console is covered in the Palworld crossplay and community server guide.
Performance flags
-useperfthreads, -NoAsyncLoadingThread and -UseMultithreadForDS are commonly copied together, and -NumberOfWorkerThreadsServer sets a thread count. Given the official note about 1.0 above, the safe approach is to leave them alone unless you have measured a problem. If you do test them, change one thing at a time, restart, and compare behaviour under real load before you keep it.
Logging and the game data API
-logformat=text keeps logs readable and is the sensible choice when you read them in the Console tab. json is for tools that parse logs. -enable-gamedata-api enables the game data API described in Pocketpair's docs. It is an advanced option for people building tooling, and most servers do not need it. For admin tools, see the admin commands and REST API guide.
What goes where on ChicagoServers
| You want to change | Where |
|---|---|
| Server name and description | Startup tab |
| Join password and admin password | Startup tab |
| Community listing | Startup tab, List in community servers |
| Port and slots | Set by the panel for your server. See the Network section |
| XP, drops, damage, death penalty | World settings on the Configs tab. See the settings guide |
| Raw launch line | Staff only. Contact support |
| Updating the game | The Steam update bar: Update now or Validate |
Common mistakes
- Changing
-publicportto move the server. It only changes what is advertised. - Setting a value in the ini that the panel overwrites. Name, ports, passwords and slots are controlled from the Startup tab.
- Copying a launch line from an old guide without checking the 1.0 thread note.
- Editing gameplay settings in the launch line. Use the world settings.
- Forgetting to Restart after saving. Startup changes apply on the next start.
Looking for a host? See Palworld server hosting.
Frequently asked questions
What launch options does a Palworld dedicated server use?
Common ones are -port, -players, -publiclobby, -publicip, -publicport, thread options such as -NumberOfWorkerThreadsServer, -logformat and -enable-gamedata-api.
What is the default Palworld server port?
The official examples use 8211, which is a UDP port.
What does -publiclobby do in Palworld?
It lists your server in the community server browser. Friends can still join directly without it.
Does -publicport change the port Palworld listens on?
No. The official documentation says it does not change the listening port. It only changes the port that is advertised.
Should I use -useperfthreads and the other thread flags?
The official page says that in version 1.0 and later, leaving them unset may improve performance. Test one change at a time before keeping them.
Can I edit the Palworld launch line on ChicagoServers?
The raw launch line is managed by staff. Name, passwords, and community listing are fields on the Startup tab, and gameplay rules are in the world settings.