Getting started with Terraria

This guide walks you through ordering, setting up, and configuring your Terraria dedicated server on ServerPrism. It covers vanilla Terraria, tModLoader, and TShock, helping you get your world online and ready for players.

Before you start

Ensure you have a ServerPrism account and are ready to order a server. You do not need any special keys or accounts for Terraria itself.

Ordering on ServerPrism

1. Select a plan: For Terraria, we recommend at least 2 GB of RAM for a small group of players. For larger worlds or many players with mods, consider 4-8 GB. You can upgrade your plan anytime from your ServerPrism dashboard.
2. Choose a region: Select the data center closest to you and your players for the best performance.
3. Select a runtime: Choose Terraria Vanilla, tModLoader, or TShock during the order process. You can switch between these runtimes later via the ServerPrism panel's Startup tab without reordering your server.
4. Deploy: Complete your order. Your server will begin deploying automatically.

First boot

After deployment, your server will start up for the first time. This process usually takes a few minutes. You can monitor its progress through the web console in your ServerPrism panel (https://serverprism.com/dashboard).

The server is ready when you see messages indicating the world has loaded and the server is listening for connections. For example, a vanilla server will show something like Server started on port: [port number].

Connecting / inviting players

Players can connect to your Terraria server using its IP address and port.

1. Find your server details: Your server's IP address and port are displayed on the Console tab of your ServerPrism panel.
2. In-game connection: Open Terraria, select Multiplayer, then Join via IP.
3. Enter details: Input your server's IP address and the port number (default is 7777).
4. Password (if set): If you've set a server password, players will need to enter it.

You can also set up a free subdomain for your server from your ServerPrism dashboard, making it easier for players to remember the address.

Configuration basics

Most basic server settings are configured through the server.properties file (for vanilla) or via startup variables in the ServerPrism panel.

Vanilla Terraria

For vanilla Terraria, the primary configuration file is server.properties, located in your server's root directory. You can edit this file using the File Manager in your ServerPrism panel.

Key settings to change:

• world: The name of your world file (e.g., MyWorld.wld). If it doesn't exist, a new one will be created.
• maxplayers: The maximum number of players allowed on the server.
• port: The server port (default is 7777). Only change this if you know what you're doing.
• password: Set a password for your server. Leave blank for no password.
• motd: Message of the Day, displayed when players join.

Alternatively, many of these settings can be configured directly through the Startup tab in your ServerPrism panel using environment variables or command-line arguments. Refer to the in-panel startup variables for available options.

tModLoader and TShock

tModLoader and TShock servers often use similar configuration methods, but may also introduce their own specific configuration files or in-game commands. For TShock, much of the administration can be done through in-game commands after logging in as an admin.

• TShock configuration: TShock's main configuration is often handled through tshock_config.json or managed directly via in-game commands. Consult the official TShock documentation for specific commands and file locations.
• Mod management: For tModLoader, mods are typically placed in the Mods folder. Refer to tModLoader documentation for installing and managing mods.

Always restart your server after making changes to configuration files for them to take effect.

Common issues

• Players can't connect: Double-check the IP address and port. Ensure the server is actually running and not stuck during startup. Check the console for error messages.
• World not saving: Ensure your server has enough disk space and that the server process has proper write permissions. If you manually uploaded a world, confirm its name matches the world setting in your configuration.
• Server performance issues: If you experience lag, consider upgrading your server plan for more RAM or CPU resources. Too many players or complex mods can also impact performance. Check your console for any resource warnings.
• Mod issues on tModLoader/TShock: Ensure all players have the same mod versions installed. Check the server console for mod-specific error messages. Some mods may conflict with each other.

If you encounter persistent issues, please open a support ticket at https://serverprism.com/tickets and include your server ID and relevant log snippets.

Next steps

Once your server is running smoothly, you might want to explore:

• Installing mods: For tModLoader, explore the vast array of community-made mods. For TShock, investigate its powerful plugin system for enhanced server control and gameplay features.
• World management: Learn how to upload existing worlds or download your server's world files for backup.
• Automated tasks: Consider setting up automatic backups for your server through the ServerPrism panel.

Remember, you can switch between Terraria Vanilla, tModLoader, and TShock runtimes at any time via the Startup tab in your ServerPrism panel if you wish to try a different server experience.