This guide covers how to configure your Project Zomboid server hosted with Legion Hosting — including the server settings file and sandbox variables through GPanel.

Overview of Configuration Files

Project Zomboid stores its server configuration in two files inside the /.cache/server/ directory on your server. Both files use your server's name as part of their filename.

Step 1 — Open the File Manager in GPanel

1. Log in to GPanel.
2. Click your Project Zomboid server from the server list.
3. On the Console tab, click Stop if the server is running. Wait for the status to change to Offline before continuing.
4. Click the Files tab to open the file manager.
5. Navigate to the .cache/server/ directory. You may need to click Show Hidden Files or toggle hidden file visibility if the .cache folder is not visible — it begins with a dot.

Step 2 — Edit the Server Settings File (.ini)

The .ini file controls the core server configuration. Click the file to open it in the inline editor.

Commonly Changed Settings

After making your changes, click Save in the file editor. Do not start the server yet if you also want to edit sandbox variables — complete Step 3 first.

Step 3 — Sandbox Variables (Gameplay Settings)

Sandbox variables control the gameplay experience: how many zombies spawn, how fast they move, loot rarity, and dozens of other world parameters. These live in servername_SandboxVars.lua in the same /.cache/server/ directory.

Editing the SandboxVars File Directly

If you prefer to edit the file, the format is a Lua table. Each setting is on its own line:

SandboxVars = {
    Zombies = 3,          -- Population: 1=Insane, 2=Very High, 3=High, 4=Normal, 5=Low
    Distribution = 2,     -- Zombie distribution: 1=Urban focused, 2=Uniform
    ZombieSpeedType = 3,  -- Speed: 1=Sprinters, 2=Fast Shamblers, 3=Shamblers, 4=Crawlers
    LootAbundance = 3,    -- Loot: 1=Insane, 2=Abundant, 3=Normal, 4=Scarce, 5=Very Scarce
    DayLength = 2,        -- In-game day length in hours: 1=1h, 2=2h ... 15=15h, 16=Real Time
    StartYear = 1,        -- Starting year (offsets from 1993)
    StartMonth = 7,       -- Starting month (1–12)
    StartDay = 9,         -- Starting day (1–31)
    WaterShut = 0,        -- Tap water shutoff: 0=Never, 1=Instant ... 14=2 years
    ElecShut = 0,         -- Electricity shutoff: 0=Never, 1=Instant ... 14=2 years
    HoursForCorpseRemoval = 0,  -- 0=Never auto-remove
    CharacterFreePoints = 0,    -- Bonus starting trait points
}

Troubleshooting