How to Make Yourself (or a Friend) Admin in Project Zomboid, Plus the Basic Commands
To give admin in Project Zomboid you use /setaccesslevel "name" admin: from the in-game chat, with an account that is already an admin, or from the server console (without the slash), which doesn't ask for anything. With the server running, almost everything else is done with commands too; here are the ones you'll use most, and all of them, with examples, are in the full list of admin commands.
Make yourself admin
The server creates an “admin” account with the password set when it was installed. Log in with it and give your usual account admin rights with /setaccesslevel "yourname" admin.
On NapNodes, the admin username and password are generated for you and live in “Settings” → “In-game admin”; with the server running, “Create a new admin” makes another one.
Even quicker: in the panel's “Console”, type setaccesslevel "yourname" admin (without the slash) while the server is running. The server console doesn't need an account: whatever you type there is run by the server itself.
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Give admin to another player (or take it away)
Same as for yourself: /setaccesslevel "name" admin, using the username they log in to the server with (not their Steam name), in quotes. If the server says that user doesn't exist, have them join once and try again.
You don't have to hand over everything: there are levels. From most to least powerful: admin, moderator, overseer, gm and observer. For a friend who only needs to kick or ban people, moderator is usually enough; the command list explains what each one does.
To take it away: /setaccesslevel "name" none, and they're back to being a normal player.
The commands you'll use most
Players: /kickuser "name" (kick), /banuser "name" (ban), /unbanuser "name", /setaccesslevel "name" admin or moderator. If you only want your friends to get in, a whitelist is better: a private server with a password and whitelist.
Helpers: /additem "name" Base.Axe (give an item), /teleport "name" "other" (bring one player to another), /godmode "name", and /invisible and /noclip to move around without the zombies seeing you.
Server: /servermsg "text" (a message to everyone), /save (save now), /showoptions (see the options), /changeoption PVP "false" (change an option) and /reloadoptions.
The game settings
The server options (password, player count, PvP, whether it's public) are in servertest.ini: what each one does. The game settings (zombies, loot, when the power and water go off) are in servertest_SandboxVars.lua: the sandbox settings. Change them with the server stopped, or with /changeoption for the server options.
Changing the sandbox settings in a game that has already started only affects what happens from then on: whatever has already been generated stays as it was.
On NapNodes, both are in the panel's “Settings”, in plain English and with a search box; they save themselves and apply on restart. Commands go in the “Console”, without the slash.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make myself admin on my Project Zomboid server?
Log in with the admin account and run /setaccesslevel "yourname" admin. On NapNodes, the username and password are in “Settings” → “In-game admin”.
How do I give a friend admin in Project Zomboid?
With /setaccesslevel "theirname" admin from an admin account, or setaccesslevel "theirname" admin in the server console (without the slash). Use their server username (not their Steam name), in quotes.
How do I remove admin from someone?
With /setaccesslevel "name" none: they go back to being a normal player. If you only want them to moderate, give them moderator instead of admin.
How do I turn off PvP?
With /changeoption PVP "false", or by setting PVP=false in servertest.ini with the server stopped. The rest of PvP (the skull, factions) is in the PvP guide.
Where do I change the zombies and loot?
In servertest_SandboxVars.lua, with the server stopped. On NapNodes, in the panel's “Settings”.
Shall we set it up for you?
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Adding Workshop mods? Paste the links and Mod IDs into the Project Zomboid mod list tool: out come WorkshopItems= and Mods= with the Build 42 backslash.
Not sure whether your server is online? Check it in a second with the Project Zomboid server status checker: players, version and password, free.
Free tool: Project Zomboid settings editor. Paste your .ini and SandboxVars.lua (or start from scratch), change their 400+ options with a search box, and download them.