How to Set Up a Terraria Dedicated Server on Linux (1.4.5.8)
The official terraria.org server zip, a serverconfig.txt walk-through, TCP 7777, the exit-saves rule and the version-matching trap that breaks joins after every patch — the full Linux setup, from Re-Logic’s own downloads and the zip itself.
October 15, 20268 min read
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Terraria 1.4.5.8 reached PC on 23 August 2026, and the dedicated server that goes with it is still what it has been for years: a free download from terraria.org, one text file of settings, and a TCP port. It runs on Linux with nothing installed beyond a 64-bit system. This guide covers the setup end to end, then the two traps that catch most new servers: a server build that no longer matches the players', and a port typed from memory.
Everything below is from Re-Logic's own download and release pages, the official server zip itself, and the Terraria wiki's server page; where a detail comes from a single community source it is marked as such.
What you need before you start
A 64-bit x86 Linux machine. The shipped Linux binary is TerrariaServer.bin.x86_64 and there is no ARM build in the zip. Mono is bundled, so the only system dependencies are glibc and its usual companions — no Mono or .NET install is needed.
Memory. The Terraria wiki's server page asks for 500 MB of free RAM for a small world and notes the figure "depends on world size and number of players". The Pelican egg README that most Linux hosting images build on recommends at least 768 MB and observes around 650 MB during world generation. No official figure exists for a large world or a full lobby, so we do not quote one — see how much RAM a Terraria server needs.
One TCP port. 7777 by default. Joining by IP uses TCP only; UDP is not required. If the machine is behind a home router, forward the port; on a cloud host, open it in the firewall.
Nothing from Steam. The server does not need a copy of the game, a Steam login or SteamCMD. Anonymous SteamCMD is, per the maintainer of the most widely used Terraria server image, not authorised for the game's app, and one host wiki claims otherwise — so skip the argument and use terraria.org, which is the source Re-Logic publishes.
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The first entry is the current build. Download it, unzip it, and you will find the version folder with three platform folders inside:
mkdir-p ~/terraria &&cd ~/terraria
wget https://terraria.org/api/download/pc-dedicated-server/terraria-server-1458.zip
unzip terraria-server-1458.zip
ls1458# Linux Mac Windows
1458/Linux/ holds the server: TerrariaServer.bin.x86_64, a TerrariaServer launcher script, TerrariaServer.exe and its libraries, and a lib64/ folder. Make the binary executable:
One quirk of the zip: the example serverconfig.txt ships only in the Windows/ folder. Copy it across or write your own — the next step is the whole file.
Step 2: write serverconfig.txt
The server reads one key=value file. A complete, sensible starting point:
world is the file to load; autocreate tells the server to create it if it does not exist, at size 1 (small, 4200×1200 tiles), 2 (medium, 6400×1800) or 3 (large, 8400×2400). worldname names the world; seed sets its seed; difficulty is 0 Classic, 1 Expert, 2 Master or 3 Journey. These apply at creation only.
maxplayers accepts 1 to 255. port is the TCP port. password and motd are what players type and see.
worldpath is where worlds are stored (the default on Linux is ~/.local/share/Terraria/Worlds/); worldrollbackstokeep is how many .wld.bak rollback copies to keep.
secure=1 adds what the wiki calls "additional cheat protection"; upnp=0 stops the server trying to open your router by itself; npcstream trades bandwidth for smoother enemy movement; priority=1 runs the process at high priority.
On the first run the server generates the world — watch the percentages scroll — and then settles. The build prints three lines when it is ready: Listening on port 7777, Server started and Type 'help' for a list of commands. After that, the console accepts commands.
The wiki's Linux guide runs the server inside screen so that it survives you closing the terminal; tmux or a systemd unit does the same job. The command-line flags (-port, -players, -pass, -world, -autocreate, -motd, -seed and the rest) duplicate most config keys if you prefer them, but a file is easier to keep straight.
Step 4: join the server
On PC, each player opens Multiplayer → Join via IP, picks a character, and enters the server's public IP, then its port, then the password. Mobile players (iOS and Android) on the same version can join the same way. The -steam and -lobby flags are for Steam-friends sessions and have nothing to do with joining by IP, so leave them out.
PlayStation, Xbox and Switch players cannot join a dedicated server on today's version. Re-Logic plans to change that in 1.4.6, Crossplay Phase One, and has given no date — the detail is in Crossplay Phase One explained.
Step 5: keep the server on the players' version
This is the trap. Players update through Steam or their store without doing anything; your server does not. A client on a newer version cannot join a server on an older one, and Re-Logic's note on the 1.4.5.8 release put it in five words: "You will need the latest dedicated server."
The update routine, every time terraria.org lists a new zip:
Type exit in the console. It is the only command that saves the world on shutdown — exit-nosave does not, and killing the process does not.
Download the new zip and unzip its Linux/ folder over the old one. Your worlds are safe as long as worldpath points outside the server folder, as the example above does.
Start the server again and have one player confirm the version on their title screen matches.
The names endpoint from Step 1 is also the lightest way to notice a new build: poll it and compare the first entry.
Step 6: saves, backups and the console
The server autosaves while it runs and saves on exit. Each save keeps the previous copy as <world>.wld.bak, up to worldrollbackstokeep generations. save forces a save at any moment; playing lists who is on; kick, ban, password, motd, say, time, dawn, noon, dusk, midnight and settle do what their names say. With nobody connected the server hibernates and the world's clock stops.
Or let us run it
If that is more evenings than you wanted, Terraria server hosting at Connect runs the same official terraria.org server, and on every restart it checks terraria.org for a newer build and installs it before the world loads — so patch day is a restart, not a download. World name, size, difficulty, seed, max players (up to sixteen on every plan), password, MOTD and language are on a Server Settings tab; the IP, port and password are on a join card; your .wld is yours to download or replace from the Files tab. Getting started with your Terraria server picks up from here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to own Terraria to run a dedicated server?
No. The server is a separate download from terraria.org with no login. You need the game on your own PC to play on it.
What port does a Terraria server use?
TCP 7777 by default, set with port= in serverconfig.txt or -port on the command line. Joining by IP does not use UDP.
Can I install the server with SteamCMD instead?
The maintainer of the most widely used Terraria server image says anonymous SteamCMD is not authorised for the game's app, and the claim that it works comes from a single host wiki. terraria.org is the source Re-Logic publishes; use it.
How many players can join?
maxplayers accepts 1 to 255; the shipped example config uses 8. Any cap a host advertises is that host's choice, not the game's limit.
Can console players join my dedicated server?
Not on today's version. Re-Logic has said joining by IP address and port is "the functionality that we plan to initially release on console" in 1.4.6, Crossplay Phase One, with no release date as of its September 2026 State of the Game.
You've just read the manual. We do it in 60 seconds.
The same official dedicated server, already installed: port open, password set, world name, size, difficulty and max players editable from the Server Settings tab. From $5.99/mo, online in 60 seconds.