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Installing/Configuring The Forest Dedicated Server with Mods (OUT OF DATE)
By Cleetus
Installing mods on The Forest Dedicated Server is now nice and easy, thanks to the folks at ModAPI. NOTE: At the time writing this guide, steamcmd is not supported by ModAPI.

The Author of this Guide does not recommend using WiFi for a server due to inconsistent stability. This Guide will assume Ethernet connection.

Following this guide from start to finish will have you setup with a running The Forest Dedicated Server with ModAPI and your choice of mods.

Guide Scope:
  • Setting up The Forest Dedicated Server using Server.cfg for settings.
  • Obtaining and setting up ModAPI. (individual mods may require their own setup - not covered in this scope)
  • This guide assumes that you have the knowledge and ability to set port forwarding on your router. (When that step comes, if you do not know how to forward ports, you will need to seek an additional guide to this one)
   
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Created by
Cleetus
Offline
Category: Modding or Configuration
Languages: English
Posted
Updated
7 Oct, 2018 @ 11:28am
29 Mar, 2023 @ 8:28pm
3,397 Unique Visitors
15 Current Favorites
Guide Index
Overview
1.0 - Install The Forest Dedicated Server 
1.1 - Configure The Forest Dedicated Server 
2.0 - Download ModAPI and Mods 
2.1 - Install ModAPI 
3.0 - Final Steps 
Comments
1.0 - Install The Forest Dedicated Server
  1. Open up Steam.


  2. Go to "Large Mode" in the "View" menu (not "Small Mode" or "Big Picture Mode")


  3. Go to Library and select Tools


  4. Find "The Forest Dedicated Server"


  5. Double Click "The Forest Dedicated Server and untick "Create desktop shortcut"


  6. Click Next to Install.


  7. Once installed it will change to this:


  8. Double-Click and Run The Forest Dedicated Server (this is to create your config files). There will be errors, this is normal.

  9. Close The Forest Dedicated Server.

  10. Click the "X" on Steam to minimize it to the tray, this window is not needed again for the rest of this guide.
1.1 - Configure The Forest Dedicated Server
The Forest Dedicated Server Config Tool
I have made TFDS Config Tool[github.com] to make configuring your server a whole lot easier.
  • Simply download the zip file, extract and run (the tool will automatically find your config file when it loads).
  • Change the values in the easy-to-use Interface.
  • Get My IP button does exactly as it sounds, grabs the IP required to get your server online.
  • Click the Link for Steam Login Token to organize that. (There will be a prompt to help)
  • Make sure to set things how you want (Don't forget to check all Tabs)
  • Click Save.




Old Method (still valid, just more manual)
  1. Open your web browser (Google Chrome recommended as it is needed later) and go to:
    Steam Game Server Account Management

  2. Sign in to your Steam account

  3. Scroll to the bottom of the page and fill out the 2 fields as follows:


  4. Click Create

  5. Make note of the new Login Token that you just created (copy and paste it into a new notepad window)

  6. Open your Start Menu and type:
    System Information


  7. Open System Information:

    Navigate through points 1 (Components), 2 (Network), and 3 (Adaptor). 4 is of no significance to this guide.

  8. Take note of the IP Address (the first 4 numbers that are separated by a period ".") found at 5:


  9. Open "This PC" (or "Computer"/"My Computer" on older versions of Windows - "This PC" Windows 8 and newer)


  10. Copy the following:
    C:\Users\USER\AppData\LocalLow\SKS\TheForestDedicatedServer\ds\

  11. Paste into the address bar of "This PC"

  12. Find the file:
    Server.cfg

  13. Open the file in a text editor such as Notepad or Notepad++
    // Dedicated Server Settings. // Server IP address - Note: If you do not have a traditional network setup, this will need to be configured to suit your needs (this guide is not a guide on networking) serverIP 192.168.1.107
    // Steam Communication Port - Note: If you have a router you will need to open this port. serverSteamPort 8766
    // Game Communication Port - Note: If you have a router you will need to open this port. serverGamePort 27015
    // Query Communication Port - Note: If you have a router you will need to open this port. serverQueryPort 27016
    // Server display name - change "The Forest Game" to your desired Server Name serverName The Forest Game
    // Maximum number of players - self-explanatory serverPlayers 8
    // Server password - Blank means no password (this makes a completely public server) serverPassword
    // Server administration password. Blank means no password (not wise) serverPasswordAdmin
    // Your Steam account name. Paste in your Login Token from (5) earlier. serverSteamAccount
    // Enable VAC (Valve Anti Cheat) on the server. Off by default (has no code implemented anyway) enableVAC off
    // Time between server auto saves in minutes serverAutoSaveInterval 15
    // Game difficulty mode. Must be set to "Peaceful" "Normal" "Hard" or "HardSurvival" difficulty Normal
    // New or continue a game. Must be set to "New" or "Continue" initType Continue
    // Slot to save the game. - MUST be set to: 1-5 slot 1
    // Show event log. Must be set "off" or "on". If set to on, the log window being closed accidentally can corrupt your save. showLogs off
    // Contact email for server admin change "email@gmail.com" to your email address (not used for anything) serverContact email@gmail.com
    // No enemies. Must be set to "on" or "off" veganMode off
    // No enemies during day time. Must be set to "on" or "off" vegetarianMode off
    // Reset all structure holes when loading a save. Must be set to "on" or "off" resetHolesMode off
    // Regrow 10% of cut down trees when sleeping. Must be set to "on" or "off" treeRegrowMode off
    // Allow building destruction. Must be set to "on" or "off" allowBuildingDestruction on
    // Allow enemies in creative games. Must be set to "on" or "off" allowEnemiesCreativeMode off
    // Allow clients to use the built in development console. Must be set to "on" or "off" allowCheat off
    // Allows defining a custom folder for save slots, leave empty to use the default location saveFolderPath
    // Target FPS when no client is connected targetFpsIdle 5
    // Target FPS when there is at least one client connected targetFpsActive 60

  14. Configure your router (if required) to forward the following Ports:
    8766 TCP/UDP 27015 TCP/UDP 27016 TCP/UDP
2.0 - Download ModAPI and Mods
  1. Select "The Forest Dedicated Server":

  2. Base package (most recent build for ModAPI) will be automatically selected by default:

  3. Select the mods you want:

  4. Click Download (This guide assumes that your download will go to the default Downloads folder in Windows)
2.1 - Install ModAPI
  1. Open "This PC" and click on your Downloads folder


  2. Find the file "modapi-xxxx_xx_xx_xx_xx_xx.zip" and Right-Click it.

  3. Extract the files to C:\

  4. Navigate to C:\ and open the folder that was just extracted. You may rename this folder if you wish.

  5. Right-Click ModAPI.exe and click "Send to Desktop (create shortcut)"
3.0 - Final Steps
  1. Close all open windows

  2. Rename your newly created shortcut

  3. Open your shortcut to ModAPI

  4. Select which Mods you wish to run from the list (this list will only be those you chose earlier, so select all)

  5. Click "Start Game"

  6. Congratulations, your Server is running with Mods.
15 Comments
< >
Cleetus  [author] 1 Dec, 2022 @ 8:53pm 
I haven't played it in a long time, the original has been dead for ages. Most people are waiting for the sequel
DeGrincH 1 Dec, 2022 @ 11:38am 
I had a 32 slot server open to public for over a month and almost no players ever joined. Has me wondering if this game is even worth hosting a server for public access?
Muddy Submarine Bug 1 Jan, 2022 @ 8:30am 
so there is no config tool anymore :) ? would love one tbh.. im still hosting the forest server
Cleetus  [author] 5 Jan, 2020 @ 9:44pm 
I abandoned The Forest over a year ago, the company put no love at all to the server and it frustrated me far too much to keep supporting them. I've moved on to DayZ modding (which, admittedly is not much better in the sense that the developers just are not living up to their words).
misakitchi 5 Jan, 2020 @ 12:00pm 
Hi Cleetus!
Thanks for you very good Server Mods!
But when i use it, i have thoses errors:

NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object
Exception: TypeLoadException: Could not load type 'UnityEngine.ImageConversion' from assembly 'BaseModLib'

Need Help Thanks! :)
RinVindor 20 Feb, 2019 @ 8:15pm 
I'm having issues getting this program to launch in any way shape or form, any chance we could get some assistance in using the tool? I'm really itching to get some mods up and running for a DS, if not I appreciate the attempt with the config tool anyway.
eKo-guizQc 6 Feb, 2019 @ 12:46pm 
need a way for mod api to start the server from my shortcut instead of the main server.exe file
T|-|CxSkyFire 23 Dec, 2018 @ 9:37am 
So essentially the same thing you would do for local games anyway. Thank you mucho, still help
EvilSpecies 16 Dec, 2018 @ 8:01am 
oh okay
Cleetus  [author] 15 Dec, 2018 @ 7:13pm 
To be honest, this was made for an older version, I haven't had anything to do with The Forest since last patch. This new patch was terribly disappointing I uninstalled