Before you start
Use a Windows 10 or 11 x64 PC for Tavern. The machine hosting the server needs to stay on, awake, and connected while your friends play. Your Palworld game client can be closed.
Pocketpair lists 16 GB of server memory, recommends more than 32 GB, and recommends a processor with at least four cores and an SSD. Leave extra headroom if you also play on this PC. Starting with 8 GB is possible according to the docs, but memory-related crashes are more likely.
Check Pocketpair's current requirements →Install the current Tavern alpha through your invitation, and make sure everyone has an up-to-date copy of Palworld. If you haven't joined testing yet, apply for the alpha.
Playing from Xbox or PS5?
Pocketpair says those players need a community server, which appears in the in-game server list. The Tavern setup described here uses a direct dedicated-server connection. Console joining and community-server registration are not verified by this guide. Check Pocketpair's platform guidance before choosing this route for your group.
Set up with Tavern
Choose Palworld and a new server
Open Palworld's setup in Tavern and choose Install a new server. This guide starts with a fresh world. For an existing world, keep a separate backup and use the app's import or linking review rather than moving saves into a new installation by hand.
Make it your group's world
Choose the server folder, name, player limit, and whether players need a join password. Tavern's Palworld setup allows 1 to 32 players and starts with 16. A higher player limit does not guarantee that your PC can comfortably host that many people.
Choose how friends will connect
Follow the connection steps for a local network, direct access, or optional Playit. Discord controls are optional too. Finish the review and choose Create server; let installation and verification finish before starting it.
Start, then check the world
Start your Palworld server in Tavern and wait for its startup checks. Read any action Tavern asks you to take. Once it is ready, join yourself, then ask one friend to join through the route your group will use.
Tavern uses SteamCMD to install the dedicated server files. You don't need to type its commands for this setup. Pocketpair also documents a separate manual Steam or SteamCMD installation if you prefer to manage the server yourself.
Bring your friends
Use the connection details for the selected server in Tavern. A successful local join is a useful first check; for friends elsewhere, have someone outside your home network try the shared address too.
Same local network
Use the server PC's local address and the game port shown by Tavern. Friends need to be on a network that can reach that PC.
Direct access from elsewhere
Follow Tavern's network checks and your router's port-forwarding instructions. Palworld's default game port is 8211 UDP; use the actual port assigned to your server. Router or provider restrictions can prevent incoming connections.
Optional Playit
Complete the Playit account and agent steps, then use the public join address for your server's route. Keep the agent connected while people play. Playit is a separate service, and a ready route still needs a real friend-connect check.
For a direct connection, Pocketpair's guide shows entering an address and port beneath the server list. Share any join password separately with your group. See the official joining instructions →
Changing local ports
For custom ports, stop the selected server and open Networking > Ports. Edit its local ports, save, update any router or tunnel mappings, then start the server and use the updated address. Tavern keeps game-required adjacent ports together and checks for conflicts. These controls require a Tavern build with the Ports section.
Protect the world you've built
Review Palworld's settings in Settings → Game Config. Follow Tavern's instructions if a change needs a restart.
In Backups, choose Create backup for this server and wait for completion in Activity. Back up before updates, imports, or major changes. Restoring replaces current world data, so keep a copy of your latest progress first.
Palworld also has its own optional world-backup setting, separate from Tavern's backups. Use Tavern's stop control and wait for shutdown before turning the PC off.
Managing settings files yourself?
The active Windows file is Pal/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/PalWorldSettings.ini inside the server installation. Editing DefaultPalWorldSettings.ini does not change active settings.
If something gets stuck
The server runs, but my friend cannot join
Check the server address, game port, join password, and client/server updates. Confirm the selected connection method is ready. For direct access, review the router and Windows firewall checks; for Playit, confirm the agent and server route. Console players need the community-server route described above.
The server closes or struggles as we play
Look at Tavern's diagnostics and the server's memory use. Leave more resources free on the host PC and review the player limit. Keep a backup before changing the world or reinstalling files.
Do I need to leave my game open?
No. The dedicated server runs independently of your game client. The host PC and server must remain running, with their connection route available.
Can I bring an existing co-op world?
This guide does not cover co-op save conversion. Keep the original world and a separate backup. Check the app's current world-import options before attempting a transfer.
Sources & scope
This guide was checked against Tavern's current setup and settings implementation and Pocketpair's official server documentation (version 1.0.4). Tavern's Palworld adapter remains in beta. These instructions have not been validated through a new live game session, console join, or external friend connection for this guide. Your installed alpha may differ.