Palworld

How to Become Admin on a Palworld Server (Commands)

Set one password, log in from the chat and use the official admin commands. Then see why RCON is being replaced by the REST API.

TheGameHosting Team 5 min read
Palworld screenshot: a character with a large blade stands in shallow water near a pink lotus Pal
Admin commands help you moderate, save and restart the world without leaving the game.

To become admin on a Palworld server, set AdminPassword in PalWorldSettings.ini, restart the server, join it, open the chat and type /AdminPassword yourpassword. From then on you can use the admin commands, such as /Save, /Broadcast and /KickPlayer.

This guide uses Pocketpair’s official command list for version 1.0.4 as of November 2026. It also covers the two ways to manage a server from outside the game: RCON, which is being phased out, and the REST API that replaces it.

Step 1: Set the admin password

  1. Stop the server. A running server can overwrite your edit.
  2. Open PalWorldSettings.ini. On TheGameHosting, open Files in the panel and edit it in the browser. On your own server it is in Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/ or WindowsServer.
  3. Set AdminPassword to a password only you know, inside the OptionSettings line.
  4. Save the file and start the server again.

Do not reuse ServerPassword. That one is for players, and admin rights should stay with you. If you have not installed the server yet, start with how to set up a Palworld dedicated server, and see PalWorldSettings.ini explained for the rest of the file.

Step 2: Log in as admin in the game

  1. Join your server.
  2. Press Enter to open the chat.
  3. Type the command below, with your own password.
In-game chat
/AdminPassword yourpassword

Once the command succeeds, you have admin privileges for that session. If you leave and come back, type it again.

The admin commands

Pocketpair’s documentation lists these commands. You type them in the in-game chat:

CommandWhat it does
/AdminPassword <password>Gets you admin privileges.
/InfoShows server information.
/ShowPlayersLists every connected player with their information.
/SaveSaves the world data.
/Broadcast <message>Sends a message to every player.
/Shutdown [seconds] [message]Shuts the server down, after the delay if you give one, and shows your message to players.
/DoExitForce-stops the server.
/KickPlayer <SteamID>Kicks a player.
/BanPlayer <SteamID>Bans a player.
/UnBanPlayer <SteamID>Lifts a ban.
/TeleportToPlayer <SteamID>Teleports you to a player.
/TeleportToMe <SteamID>Brings a player to you.
/ToggleSpectateSwitches to spectator mode when you have admin privileges.

Use /Save and then /Shutdown with a delay and a message when you restart the server, so players have time to finish what they are doing. /DoExit stops the server at once. To find a SteamID for a kick or a ban, run /ShowPlayers first.

RCON: remote commands, on the way out

RCON lets you run commands from outside the game with an RCON client. You turn it on with RCONEnabled=True in the settings file, and the default port is 25575, which you can change with RCONPort. Pocketpair’s guide marks RCON as deprecated, says it is scheduled to stop working in an upcoming update and asks you to use the REST API instead. It also notes that player names with multi-byte characters can lose letters over RCON.

The REST API

Turn the REST API on with RESTAPIEnabled=True and set its port with RESTAPIPort. It uses HTTP Basic authentication. According to the official reference, these are the endpoints:

EndpointWhat it does
GET /infoServer version, name, description and world GUID.
GET /playersThe list of players.
GET /metricsServer FPS, frame time, current and maximum players, uptime, number of bases and in-game days.
GET /settingsThe server settings.
POST /announceAnnounces a message.
POST /saveSaves the world.
POST /shutdownShuts down after a wait time, with a message.
POST /kick, /ban, /unbanModeration of players.
POST /stopStops the server.

The /metrics endpoint is also handy when the server lags, because it reports the server FPS and the number of bases. Our Palworld server lag fix shows how to use those numbers.

Moderate step by step

A typical session as admin looks like this:

  1. Log in with /AdminPassword yourpassword.
  2. Run /ShowPlayers to see who is connected and to find the SteamID of the player you need.
  3. Use /KickPlayer <SteamID> for a warning, or /BanPlayer <SteamID> if the player should not come back.
  4. If you banned someone by mistake, run /UnBanPlayer <SteamID>.

Restart the server safely

  1. Warn everyone with /Broadcast Server restarting in 60 seconds.
  2. Save with /Save.
  3. Run /Shutdown 60 Server restarting, back in a minute. The server shuts down after the delay and players see your message.
  4. On a hosted server, start it again from the panel. On TheGameHosting you can also set a schedule for regular restarts instead of doing this by hand.

Avoid /DoExit unless the server is stuck, because it force-stops the process.

Admin tasks on TheGameHosting

A hosted server gives you panel tools next to the in-game commands, so you rarely need to leave the game window:

  • Files to edit PalWorldSettings.ini and set or change AdminPassword.
  • Console to watch the server log while you test commands.
  • Backups to save the world before you ban, restart or change settings.
  • Schedules to restart on a timetable you choose.

Who should be admin

There is only one admin password, so everyone who knows it has the same power. Share it with as few people as possible, and change it in PalWorldSettings.ini if someone leaves your group.

Admin problems to check

  • The command is rejected. Check that AdminPassword is in the file and that you restarted the server after saving it.
  • You lose admin rights. Type /AdminPassword again each time you join.
  • You cannot reach the server at all. That is a connection problem, not an admin one. Follow our guide for a Palworld server that is not showing up.

FAQ

How do I become admin on a Palworld server?

Set AdminPassword in PalWorldSettings.ini, restart the server, join it and type /AdminPassword yourpassword in the chat. Pocketpair's guide says the password must be set in the configuration file before you can run any admin command.

What is the difference between ServerPassword and AdminPassword?

ServerPassword is what players type to join the server. AdminPassword gives admin rights once they are in. Share the first with your friends and keep the second to yourself.

How do I ban or kick a player in Palworld?

Use /KickPlayer or /BanPlayer followed by the player's SteamID. You can see every connected player and their ID with /ShowPlayers, and undo a ban with /UnBanPlayer.

Is RCON still supported in Palworld?

Pocketpair marks RCON as deprecated and says it is scheduled to stop working in an upcoming update. It recommends the REST API instead. RCON still defaults to port 25575 if you enable it.

Is it safe to expose RCON or the REST API to the internet?

No. Pocketpair says these APIs are not designed to be exposed directly to the internet, because that could allow unauthorized changes to your server. Keep them inside your local network.

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Written by TheGameHosting Team, the people who run our servers in Dallas and Amsterdam and answer your tickets.

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