Install a Stormworks dedicated server via SteamCMD (Windows and Linux)

Want to self-host your Stormworks: Build and Rescue server for crew rescue missions? This step-by-step guide walks you through installing the official dedicated server via SteamCMD. All commands, App ID and ports verified against the official Stormworks wiki.

Don’t want to deal with SteamCMD, firewall and updates? Rent a Stormworks server at HebergTonServ — auto-install, intuitive panel and 24/7 support from €9.90/month.

Hardware requirements

Stormworks calculates all physics server-side: CPU single-core frequency is the critical performance factor, more than RAM or core count.

Step 1 — Download SteamCMD

Windows

1. Download: https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd.zip
2. Extract to C:\steamcmd\
3. Run steamcmd.exe once (auto-update)

Linux (via Wine — server is Windows only)

sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
sudo apt update
sudo apt install wine wine32 winetricks lib32gcc-s1 -y
mkdir ~/steamcmd && cd ~/steamcmd
wget https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz
tar -xvzf steamcmd_linux.tar.gz
./steamcmd.sh +quit

Step 2 — Install Stormworks server (App ID 1247090)

The dedicated server App ID is 1247090 (not 573090, the game client).

Windows

steamcmd.exe +force_install_dir C:\StormworksServer\ +login anonymous +app_update 1247090 validate +quit

Linux (Wine)

./steamcmd.sh +force_install_dir /home/stormworks/StormworksServer/ +login anonymous +app_update 1247090 validate +quit

Download size: ~500 MB.

Step 3 — Open network ports

Stormworks uses 3 UDP ports: 25564, 25565, 25566.

Windows — Admin PowerShell

New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Stormworks" -Direction Inbound -Protocol UDP -LocalPort 25564,25565,25566 -Action Allow

Linux — UFW

sudo ufw allow 25564:25566/udp
sudo ufw reload

Forward UDP 25564-25566 on your router toward the server LAN IP.

Step 4 — First start (generates server_config.xml)

Windows

Run server64.exe (64-bit, recommended).

Linux (Wine)

cd /home/stormworks/StormworksServer
wine server64.exe

Wait for:

Server is now ready to accept connections

Stop with Ctrl+C.

Step 5 — Customize server_config.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<server_data 
  port="25564"
  name="My Stormworks Server EN"
  save_name="autosave_server"
  max_players="8"
  password=""
  no_graphics_mode="false"
  physics_timestep="0.016666"
  admin_pass="ChangeMe123"
>
  <playlists>
    <path path="rom/data/missions/default_mission" />
  </playlists>
  <dlc weapons="false" arid="false" space="false" />
</server_data>

Step 6 — DLC (Search and Destroy, Industrial Frontier, Space)

Set <dlc weapons="true" arid="true" space="true" /> in server_config.xml. Joining players must own those DLCs.

Step 7 — Workshop content

1. Subscribe to Workshop items via the Stormworks client
2. Locate files in Steam/steamapps/workshop/content/573090/<workshopID>/
3. Copy to <StormworksServer>/rom/data/
4. Add path in <playlists> of server_config.xml

Step 8 — Update the server

steamcmd.exe +login anonymous +force_install_dir C:\StormworksServer\ +app_update 1247090 validate +quit

Back up %APPDATA%\Stormworks\saves\ before major updates.

FAQ

App ID 573090 vs 1247090?

573090 is the client. 1247090 is the dedicated server, free via anonymous SteamCMD.

Native Linux server?

No — Geometa ships Windows only. On Linux, use Wine for server64.exe. Most pro hosts run Stormworks on Linux + Wine.

How much RAM?

4 GB is enough for vanilla 8-16 players. 6 GB for heavy Workshop mods.

Why is CPU more important than RAM?

Stormworks simulates water, wind, fluids, explosions and mechanics server-side. Single-core frequency dominates. A Ryzen 9 at 4.9 GHz boost outperforms a multi-core Xeon at 2.5 GHz for this workload.

Server not showing in browser?

Check: UDP ports 25564-25566 open (firewall + router), port="25564" in config, correct public IP.

Conclusion

You now have a working Stormworks: Build and Rescue dedicated server. Recommended next steps:

1. Customize server_config.xml with your name and admin_pass
2. Enable your DLCs based on your licensing
3. Subscribe to Workshop content client-side then copy server-side

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Further reading

• Stormworks hosting from €9.90/month
• Official Stormworks wiki — Dedicated Server
• Community Steam guide