FAQ¶
Can I really use Swarm Hosts for free?¶
Yes. Bring your own Linux host with Docker and use Swarm Hosts as the remote game server control panel. You can run unlimited deployments on your own hardware, limited by the machine's CPU, memory, disk, ports, and the games you choose.
Do I need Docker?¶
Yes. The swarm host agent uses Docker to run game containers on the swarm host.
What hardware do I need?¶
Use a Linux PC, mini PC, home server, or VPS that you control. The host needs Docker installed and running, enough resources for the game server, and network access to the Swarm Hosts web app.
How does a swarm host get created?¶
Swarm hosts are created by the agent itself. Start the agent with your profile token and it registers automatically.
Where do I get the agent token?¶
Open Profile in the Swarm Hosts UI. Copy the token and pass it to the agent with --user-token, or set SWARM_USER_TOKEN.
Do I choose host ports manually?¶
Not in the current launch UI. Swarm Hosts assigns host ports automatically from the swarm host's allowed range.
Can I run multiple servers on one host?¶
Yes. By default the swarm host must still have available CPU, memory, and free ports. If you enable Allow over commit on the swarm host detail page, Swarm Hosts will stop enforcing CPU and RAM capacity for that swarm host, but free ports are still required.
How do players connect?¶
Use the swarm host public IP plus the deployment's assigned host port shown in the UI. Check the game-specific guide for whether the game expects TCP, UDP, or both.
Do I need port forwarding?¶
For direct public access from a home network, usually yes. Swarm Hosts shows assigned ports and public reachability so you can verify the path. Hosted relay access is the planned convenience layer for cases where manual port forwarding is not worth the hassle.
Are hosted relays and custom server addresses available?¶
Relay-backed access exists as an early access platform area and is being packaged as a paid convenience feature. Treat hosted relay access and custom swarmhosts.com server addresses as coming soon unless your account has been explicitly enabled for them.
What if I run multiple swarm hosts behind one home router?¶
Give each swarm host a different host-port range with --port-range-start and --port-range-end. Overlapping ranges on the same account and public IP are rejected.
How do I manage files?¶
Open the deployment and click File manager. Swarm Hosts supports browsing, uploading, editing, moving, deleting, and downloading files from the deployment's persistent data directory.
How do backups work?¶
Open a deployment to create backups, restore a backup in place, restore as a new deployment, or migrate through the backup workflow. Automated backup scheduling may move into paid packaging as billing and plan enforcement are introduced.
Which games are supported?¶
The catalog includes Minecraft Java, Valheim, Palworld, Rust, Factorio, Satisfactory, Terraria, 7 Days to Die, Project Zomboid, Counter-Strike 2, DayZ, Enshrouded, Unturned, and more. Use the Games section in the docs for game-specific ports, persistence, and setup notes.
Can I share a swarm host or deployment with another user?¶
Yes. Owners can open Manage sharing on a swarm host or deployment and grant access to another registered user.
What does the Public Access badge mean?¶
It reflects the current result of the remote public-health probe, when that worker is configured. It helps answer whether the internet can currently reach the swarm host gateway or the deployment port.
How do I remove a server?¶
Open the deployment and use Delete. If cleanup is stuck, use Force delete.