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Start Here for New Rivix Customers

10 min readLast updated: January 25, 2026

Welcome to Rivix Project Zomboid Hosting!

Congratulations on choosing Rivix for your Project Zomboid server hosting! This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get started, from accessing your control panel to configuring your server and inviting friends.

Quick Links

Step 1: Accessing Your Control Panel

After purchasing your server, you'll receive an email with your control panel credentials. Here's how to access your server:

  1. Go to https://panel.rivixservers.com
  2. Enter the username and password provided in your welcome email
  3. If this is your first login, you'll be prompted to change your password
  4. Once logged in, you'll see your server listed on the dashboard
  5. Click on your Project Zomboid server to access its control panel

Step 2: Basic Server Setup

Before starting your server for the first time, you should configure some basic settings:

  1. In the control panel, navigate to the "Configuration Files" section
  2. Open the "server-settings.ini" file
  3. Set the following essential parameters:
    • ServerName - Give your server a unique, descriptive name
    • ServerPassword - Set a password (leave blank for public servers)
    • MaxPlayers - Set your desired player limit
    • PublicServer - Set to true if you want it visible in the server browser
    • PVP - Set to true for Player vs Player, false for cooperative play
  4. Save your changes
  5. Return to the main dashboard and click "Start" to launch your server

Step 3: Understanding Build Versions

Project Zomboid currently has two main build versions:

  • Build 41 - The stable branch with established features and better mod compatibility. Recommended for most players.
  • Build 42 - The beta branch with newer features but potentially more issues.

Important: Your server and all players must use the same build version. By default, your Rivix server is set to Build 41. If you want to switch to Build 42, you'll need to change this in your server settings.

Step 4: Connecting to Your Server

Once your server is running, you can connect to it:

  1. Launch Project Zomboid on your computer
  2. Click "Join" from the main menu
  3. Select "Add Server to Favorites"
  4. Enter your server details:
    • Server Name: Any name you want to identify your server
    • IP: Your server's IP address (found in your control panel)
    • Port: Your server's port (default is 16261)
  5. Click "Save" to add the server to your favorites
  6. Select your server from the list and click "Join"
  7. Enter the server password if you set one

For more detailed connection instructions, see our guides for Build 41 or Build 42.

Step 5: Essential Settings to Configure

After your server is running, you might want to customize these important settings:

Gameplay Settings

In the servertest.ini file, you can adjust:

  • Zombie Population - Controls how many zombies spawn
  • Loot Abundance - Affects how much loot is available
  • Zombie Respawn - How quickly zombies respawn in cleared areas
  • Day Length - How long in-game days last
  • Safe Houses - Rules for player safe houses

Server Performance

For optimal performance:

  • Set an appropriate player limit for your server plan
  • Configure automatic restarts every 24 hours
  • Adjust zombie count based on your server's performance
  • Monitor resource usage in your control panel

Step 6: Adding Mods

Mods can enhance your Project Zomboid experience:

  1. Find mods you want on the Steam Workshop
  2. Note the Workshop ID for each mod
  3. In your control panel, go to the "Mod Manager"
  4. Add the Workshop IDs for your desired mods
  5. Arrange the load order (dependency mods should load first)
  6. Save changes and restart your server

For detailed mod installation instructions, see our guides for Build 41 or Build 42.

Step 7: Inviting Friends

To invite friends to your server:

  1. Provide them with your server's IP address and port
  2. Share the server password if you set one
  3. Ensure they're running the same build version as your server
  4. If using mods, provide them with a list of required mods
  5. Consider creating a Steam Workshop collection for your server mods

Server Visibility

You have two options for server visibility:

  • Public Server - Set PublicServer=true in server-settings.ini to make your server visible in the public browser
  • Private Server - Set PublicServer=false and share your direct IP with friends only

Getting Help

If you encounter any issues or have questions:

Next Steps

Now that you've got the basics covered, here are some next steps to enhance your server:

Need More Help?

If you need additional assistance, our support team is here to help. Contact us through the support ticket system or join our Discord server.