Project Zomboid Dedicated Server (Docker) + Playit.gg

This repo runs a Project Zomboid dedicated server via Docker and exposes it through Playit.gg using a headless agent.

Prerequisites

• Linux host (required for network_mode: host)
• Docker Engine + Docker Compose (plugin)
• A Playit.gg account
• A Playit Agent Secret Key
• (Optional but recommended) make

Install make (Ubuntu/Debian):

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y make

Playit.gg Setup

1. Create an Agent in Playit and copy its Secret Key.

2. Create ONE UDP tunnel:

• Local Port: 16261
• Port Count: 2 (covers 16261 and 16262)

Do NOT create overlapping tunnels like:

• 16261 count 2 AND 16262 count 2

Repo Setup

1. Clone the repo

git clone https://github.com/Mirkoffcito/pzomboid.git
cd pzomboid

2. Create your local .env

cp .env.example .env nano .env

3. Fill at least:

• PLAYIT_SECRET_KEY
• ADMINUSERNAME
• ADMINPASSWORD
• SERVERNAME

Example .env:

PLAYIT_SECRET_KEY=replace_me
STEAMAPPBRANCH=unstable

ADMINUSERNAME=admin
ADMINPASSWORD=ChangeMePlease
SERVERNAME=YourServerName

PORT=16261

Quick Start

1. Start the stack

• make up

2. Follow logs

• make logs
• make logs-zomboid
• make logs-playit

3. Stop everything

• make down

If you change Dockerfile/build args

• make rebuild

RCON (Players list + broadcast)

RCON is used internally (inside the Docker network). It is not exposed publicly.

1. Run the server once so it generates config under ./data.

2. Edit:

./data/Server/.ini Example: ./data/Server/MyServer.ini

Add:

RCONPort=27015
RCONPassword=12345678

3. Restart zomboid:

• make restart

4. Test RCON manually (players):

• make players

5. Broadcast a message:

• make broadcast MSG="Server restarting in 5 minutes"