RCON functions as a tool for managing a Project Zomboid server without requiring an active in-game presence. This allows administrators to execute server commands through a standalone application rather than the main game client. Common uses include broadcasting announcements to the player base, moderating user behavior, and initiating world saves. Setting up remote access provides extensive control over the game environment and server configuration.
1. Log in to the BisectHosting Starbase panel.
2. Stop the server.
3. Copy the IP Address.
4. Go to the Network tab.
5. Copy an available port not in use by other mods.
For Dedicated IP Servers, click Create Additional Port to configure a new port.
6. Press Add Label.
7. Enter a name and hit the check icon. This helps keep track of ports in use.
8. Go to the Files tab.
9. Find the following directory: /home/container/.cache/Server
10. Open [SaveName].ini. The file is labeled depending on the Save/Config Name in the Config tab.
11. On the RCONPort= line, paste the port from step 5.
12. On the RCONPassword= line, enter a password.
13. Press Save.
14. Start the server.
15. Launch the RCON client. rcon-cli is used in this example.
16. Input the IP Address from step 3 and the port from step 5.
17. Enter the RCON password from step 12.
18. Run help to view the list of RCON commands.
| Command | Description | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
additem |
Gives a specific item to a player. The quantity is optional. | /additem "Player Name" "Item Name" Amount |
/additem "Steve" Base.Axe 2 |
adduser |
Adds a new user to a whitelisted server. | /adduser "Player Name" "Password" |
/adduser "Steve" "Secret123" |
addvehicle |
Spawns a vehicle near a specific player or at precise coordinates. | /addvehicle "Vehicle Name" "Player Name" |
/addvehicle "Base.VanAmbulance" "Steve" |
addxp |
Grants experience points for a designated perk to a player. | /addxp "Player Name" Perk=Amount |
/addxp "Steve" Woodwork=2 |
alarm |
Sounds a building alarm. Requires a valid in-game position to function. | /alarm |
/alarm |
banid |
Bans a user via their SteamID. | /banid SteamID |
/banid 76561198000000000 |
banuser |
Bans a specific user. Appending -ip bans the IP address, and -r provides a reason.
|
/banuser "Player Name" -ip -r "Reason" |
/banuser "Steve" -ip -r "Destroying base" |
changeoption |
Modifies a specific server configuration setting. | /changeoption "Option Name" "New Value" |
/changeoption PVP "false" |
checkModsNeedUpdate |
Checks if active mods require an update and writes the result to the log. | /checkModsNeedUpdate |
/checkModsNeedUpdate |
chopper |
Triggers a helicopter event targeting a random player. | /chopper |
/chopper |
createhorde |
Spawns a horde of zombies near a specific player. | /createhorde Amount "Player Name" |
/createhorde 50 "Steve" |
createhorde2 |
Spawns a customized horde near a specific player using extended parameters. | /createhorde2 "Player Name" Amount |
/createhorde2 "Steve" 50 |
godmod |
Grants a player invincibility to all damage. |
/godmode "Player Name" -true (or -false)
|
/godmode "Steve" -true |
gunshot |
Plays a gunshot sound effect near a random player to attract zombies. | /gunshot |
/gunshot |
help |
Displays a list of available server commands. | /help |
/help |
invisible |
Renders a player invisible to zombies. |
/invisible "Player Name" -true (or -false)
|
/invisible "Steve" -true |
kick |
Disconnects a user from the server. Appending -r specifies the reason.
|
/kickuser "Player Name" -r "Reason" |
/kickuser "Steve" -r "Spamming" |
lightning |
Triggers lightning strikes near a specified player. | /lightning "Player Name" |
/lightning "Steve" |
log |
Modifies the server logging level. | /log Level Type |
/log 2 admin |
noclip |
Allows a player to walk through solid walls and structures. |
/noclip "Player Name" -true (or -false)
|
/noclip "Steve" -true |
players |
Lists all currently connected players. | /players |
/players |
quit |
Initiates a safe server shutdown and saves the current world data. | /quit |
/quit |
releasesafehouse |
Forces the release of a claimed safehouse. | /releasesafehouse |
/releasesafehouse |
reloadlua |
Reloads a specific Lua script file on the server. | /reloadlua "File Name" |
/reloadlua "admin.lua" |
reloadoptions |
Reloads the server options file and updates all connected clients. | /reloadoptions |
/reloadoptions |
removeuserfromwhitelist |
Revokes a user's whitelist access. | /removeuserfromwhitelist "Player Name" |
/removeuserfromwhitelist "Steve" |
removezombies |
Eliminates all zombies within the currently loaded map area. | /removezombies |
/removezombies |
replay |
Records or plays a movement replay for a specific player. | /replay "Player Name" -Mode File Name |
/replay "Steve" -record match.bin |
save |
Forces the server to save the current world state. | /save |
/save |
servermsg |
Broadcasts a global message for all connected players to see. | /servermsg "Message" |
/servermsg "Server restarting soon" |
setaccesslevel |
Adjusts the administrative rank of a player (Admin, Moderator, Overseer, GM, Observer). | /setaccesslevel "Player Name" "Rank" |
/setaccesslevel "Steve" "Admin" |
showoptions |
Displays current server configuration settings and their values. | /showoptions |
/showoptions |
startrain |
Initiates rain on the server with an optional intensity scale. | /startrain Intensity |
/startrain 50 |
startstorm |
Initiates a thunderstorm lasting for a specified duration in game hours. | /startstorm Duration |
/startstorm 4 |
stats |
Modifies or clears server performance statistics based on a set period. | /stats Mode Period |
/stats file 10 |
stoprain |
Halts any active rain on the server. | /stoprain |
/stoprain |
stopweather |
Clears all active weather events. | /stopweather |
/stopweather |
teleport |
Moves one player to the location of another player. | /teleport "Player 1" "Player 2" |
/teleport "Steve" "Alex" |
teleportto |
Moves a specified player to exact map coordinates. | /teleportto X,Y,Z |
/teleportto 10000,11000,0 |
thunder |
Triggers a localized thunder sound effect near a specific player. | /thunder "Player Name" |
/thunder "Steve" |
unbanid |
Removes a ban from a specific SteamID. | /unbanid SteamID |
/unbanid 76561198000000000 |
unbanuser |
Removes a ban from a specific username. | /unbanuser "Player Name" |
/unbanuser "Steve" |
voiceban |
Blocks a specific player from using in-game voice chat. |
/voiceban "Player Name" -true (or -false)
|
/voiceban "Steve" -true |