How to Host a Don't Starve Together Server in 2026
DST's dedicated server is a two-process shard setup (surface + Caves) — that's the part most guides skip and the part that breaks a naive install. This guide gets a permanent survival world online: cluster.ini, Klei token, shard config and mods.
Size the server
DST runs two processes (Master world + Caves shard), so RAM adds up. A small survival group is comfortable on the starter tier; a 6-slot community world with caves and mods wants more headroom. DST is mostly light — plan for two-slot-per-VM overhead of the shard architecture.
Install via SteamCMD
The DST dedicated server is Steam app ID 343050. Run SteamCMD with `+force_install_dir /opt/dst +login anonymous +app_update 343050 validate +quit`.
Build the cluster folder
DST uses a cluster directory: `~/.klei/DoNotStarveTogether/<ClusterName>/`. Inside are cluster.ini (name, description, game mode, max_players, tick rate), cluster_token.txt (from Klei's dedicated server token page) and a shard folder per world.
Configure the shards
Each shard has sharding.ini, a leveldataoverride.lua (worldgen — moles, bearger, shipwrecked-adjacent settings) and modoverrides.lua (your mod list). Caves need its own shard entry with `caves = true` in worldgen. Launch both with `dst_launcher shard Best/ /Caves/` style flags.
Get a cluster token
Sign in at Klei's website, claim a Dedicated Server token for your Steam account (each account can claim up to a handful). Without a valid token the world simply won't appear in the browser.
Open the ports
UDP 10999 (Master) and UDP 11000 (Caves) by default. Configure the ports per-shard. DST's server browser and lobby queries run over these UDP ports.
Mods and rollback
Add mods via modoverrides.lua with mod download URLs. Consolé-sackleis championship: world save events per dayRollback, snapshot, regenerate are in the mods or via console (TheWorld:PushEvent("ms_save") style APIs). CoalHost schedules auto-backups so the world never dies with the host.
FAQ
How much RAM does a DST server need?+
What ports does DST use?+
Do I need a Klei token?+
Can I run caves and mods?+
Is there a refund if it's not for us?+
Host your Don't Starve Together server from €10.69/month
CoalHost runs Don't Starve Together on dedicated hardware in Helsinki, EU — both shards (Master + Caves), Klei tokens, mods and auto-save worked in, from €10.69/month with the 7-day refund.
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