Survival · Lightweight
Host a Core Keeper Server in Staging (Staging)
Staging: awaiting manual game-client validation. Player connections are not yet verified. Evaluate this server before inviting players.
Host Core Keeper on your own Windows 10/11 or Linux computer. Swarm Hosts gives you a browser control panel to start, stop, monitor, and back up your server.
- Backups
Staging · client validation pending
Hardware and runtime
What Core Keeper needs
Minimum requirements are a starting point. World size, player count, content, and game settings can require more resources.
- CPU
- 2+ cores
- Memory
- 2 GiB minimum
- Player traffic
- UDP
- Backup coverage
- 2 saved data locations
Start with 2 CPU cores and 2 GiB memory for evaluation. Leave disk space for the game, worlds, logs, and backups. More players or a large explored world can need additional resources.
Technical overview
The dedicated-server runtime keeps its world and configuration in persistent storage. See Staging games before planning a shared world.
Launch workflow
From host to running server
Check the reported game version before attempting a client join. A running server process does not confirm the Game ID or network route works for players.
- Choose Core Keeper from Staging and select a suitable host.
- Keep the offered launch defaults for the first test.
- Launch and wait for game installation and server initialization in the logs.
- Record the server's Game ID if the installed runtime uses Steam networking.
- Stop the server before editing generated world or configuration files.
Networking
How players connect
For later client evaluation, use Core Keeper's Join Game flow with the server's Game ID when Steam networking is enabled. Do not substitute an IP and port for a Game ID. If a separately configured runtime uses direct networking, follow its matching client instructions and the displayed public UDP mapping. Game ID joining is specific to Steam clients. The publisher also documents direct PC client connections using IP, port, and password in the server's shipped README.txt. See the official dedicated-server announcement. Both modes still need manual validation in this staging entry.
Managed shared relay when the game, host, and current relay path support it.
Game management tools
Manage your Core Keeper server
Available tools depend on the game, server status, and your permissions. The game guide explains any setup needed for Server Actions.
Use the settings, files, backups, logs, and server controls available for this game. The complete guide documents any game-specific action prerequisites.
Mods & Content status
Mods and custom content
Track mods in one place and apply them manually through the game-specific workflow.
The content page records desired mod identifiers only. It does not install, verify, check client compatibility, or roll back mods. Evaluate vanilla first; apply any compatible content manually after backing up the world.
Know before launch
Before you launch
- Awaiting manual game-client validation. Fresh image startup, five-minute server stability, and configuration persistence on restart were tested locally on 2026-10-09. Client joining, player progression, and public network validation remain pending.
- Host on Windows 10/11 or Linux with Docker Desktop in Linux-container mode on Windows, or Docker Engine or rootful Podman on Linux.
- Managed shared relay when the game, host, and current relay path support it.
Windows 10/11 + Linux
Ready to host Core Keeper?
Connect the Windows or Linux computer you already own, then follow the game-specific launch path.