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Setting Up an Enshrouded Dedicated Server with Docker: A Beginner's Guide

Embark on an adventure in the mystical world of Embervale with your own dedicated Enshrouded server. This guide walks you through setting up a dedicated server using Docker, making the process consistent and easy across different operating systems.

Enshrouded: A Vast World of Survival and Magic

Enshrouded is an immersive survival action RPG set in a vast, voxel-based open world. Players must explore dangerous lands, craft for survival, and battle mystical creatures. The game supports cooperative multiplayer for up to 16 players, creating the perfect environment for shared adventures.

_{Image generated with the help of ChatGPT}

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0. Preparing Your Environment

Prerequisites

You can run the Enshrouded server inside a Docker container on any operating system that supports Docker, including but not limited to:

Production-Ready Linux	Desktop/Test Only	Notes
✅ Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (recommended)	✅ macOS (Docker Desktop)	⚠️ Not suitable for hosting a live server
✅ Ubuntu 22.04 LTS	✅ Windows 10/11 (WSL 2 + Docker Desktop)	⚠️ Use for testing or development only
✅ Ubuntu 20.04 LTS
✅ Debian 12 / 11
✅ Fedora 38+
✅ Arch Linux		Rolling release — always up-to-date
✅ AlmaLinux / Rocky Linux 9 / 8		CentOS alternatives
✅ openSUSE Leap / Tumbleweed

You’ll need:

• A system with Docker and Docker Compose installed
• sudo or administrative privileges
• ufw or firewall configuration (ensure port 15637 is open and forwarded)

1. Installing Docker (Ubuntu 24.04 and Other Linux Systems)

Docker allows you to run applications in isolated containers. It's ideal for deploying an Enshrouded dedicated server because it ensures consistency, portability, and easy management.

This guide will walk you through installing Docker on Ubuntu 24.04. These steps also work on most other Linux distributions with minor adjustments.

Step 1: Update Your Package Index

Before installing anything, update your system to ensure all packages are current.

Debian/Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

• sudo apt update: Refreshes the package index.
• sudo apt upgrade -y: Upgrades installed packages automatically.

Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Arch Linux

sudo pacman -Syu

Step 2: Install Required Dependencies

Docker relies on a few helper packages. Install them with:

sudo apt install apt-transport-https ca-certificates curl software-properties-common lsb-release gnupg -y

• apt-transport-https: Allows apt to use HTTPS.
• ca-certificates: Ensures your system trusts SSL certificates.
• curl: Command-line tool for downloading files.
• software-properties-common: Adds support for add-apt-repository.
• lsb-release: Provides OS version info.
• gnupg: Required for managing GPG keys.

Step 3: Add Docker’s Official GPG Key

Docker signs its packages for security. Add their GPG key:

curl -fsSL https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu/gpg | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/docker-archive-keyring.gpg

Step 4: Add Docker’s APT Repository

Configure your system to use Docker’s stable software repository:

echo   "deb [arch=$(dpkg --print-architecture) signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/docker-archive-keyring.gpg]   https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu   $(lsb_release -cs) stable" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/docker.list > /dev/null

Step 5: Install Docker Engine

Update your package index again and install Docker:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io -y

• docker-ce: Docker Community Edition
• docker-ce-cli: Docker command-line interface
• containerd.io: Container runtime used by Docker

Verify Docker is running:

sudo systemctl status docker

Press q to exit the status screen.

2. Create user and working directory

To allow the Docker container to persist game data and configurations, we create a dedicated system user and set up the correct directory.

Run these commands as root or with sudo:

# Create a system user 'enshrouded' without login shell
sudo useradd -m -r -s /bin/false enshrouded

# Ensure the home directory exists
sudo mkdir -p /home/enshrouded
sudo mkdir -p /home/enshrouded/enshrouded_server_docker

# Set proper ownership
sudo chown 1000:1000 /home/enshrouded/enshrouded_server_docker

🛡️ This ensures that the container can write to /home/enshrouded and all server data stays in one clean location.

3. Deploy and Start docker container

3.1 Option: (A) Use the Prebuilt Image from Docker Hub

If you prefer not to build the image yourself, you can run the official prebuilt Docker image directly from Docker Hub. This is the fastest and easiest way to get your server up and running.

Run the Server Using the Docker Hub Image:

docker run -d \
  --name enshroudedserver \
  --restart=always \
  -p 15637:15637/udp \
  -v /home/enshrouded/enshrouded_server_docker:/home/steam/enshrouded \
  bonsaibauer/enshrouded_server_docker:latest

Explanation:

• bonsaibauer/enshrouded_server_docker:latest is the official prebuilt image available on Docker Hub
• You don’t need to build the image yourself, just pull and run it
• The rest of the parameters are the same as in Option B and C

✅ Tip: Configuration (enshrouded_server.json) is done in the mounted directory /home/enshrouded/enshrouded_server_docker as usual.

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Run the Server Using Environmental Variables:

docker run -d \
  --name enshroudedserver \
  --restart=always \
  -p 15637:15637/udp \
  -v /home/enshrouded/enshrouded_server_docker:/home/steam/enshrouded \
  -e ENSHROUDED_SERVER_NAME="myservername" \
  -e ENSHROUDED_SERVER_MAXPLAYERS=16 \
  -e ENSHROUDED_VOICE_CHAT_MODE="Proximity" \
  -e ENSHROUDED_ENABLE_VOICE_CHAT=false \
  -e ENSHROUDED_ENABLE_TEXT_CHAT=false \
  -e ENSHROUDED_GAME_PRESET="Default" \
  -e ENSHROUDED_ADMIN_PW="AdminXXXXXXXX" \
  -e ENSHROUDED_FRIEND_PW="FriendXXXXXXXX" \
  -e ENSHROUDED_GUEST_PW="GuestXXXXXXXX" \
  bonsaibauer/enshrouded_server_docker:latest

Explanation of Environmental Variables

• -d: Run in detached mode (in the background).
• --name enshroudedserver: Names the container “enshroudedserver”.
• --restart=always: Automatically restarts the container if it stops or the host reboots.
• -p 15637:15637/udp: Maps the UDP port 15637 from the container to the host, required for the game server.
• -v /home/enshrouded/enshrouded_server_docker:/home/steam/enshrouded: Mounts a local directory for persistent data and configuration.
• -e ENSHROUDED_SERVER_NAME="myservername": Sets the server's visible name.
• -e ENSHROUDED_SERVER_MAXPLAYERS=16: Limits the number of players to 16.
• -e ENSHROUDED_VOICE_CHAT_MODE="Proximity": Enables proximity-based voice chat.
• -e ENSHROUDED_ENABLE_VOICE_CHAT=false: Disables voice chat (this overrides the mode setting).
• -e ENSHROUDED_ENABLE_TEXT_CHAT=false: Disables text chat in-game.
• -e ENSHROUDED_GAME_PRESET="Default": Sets the game rules preset.
• -e ENSHROUDED_ADMIN_PW="AdminXXXXXXXX": Password for admin access.
• -e ENSHROUDED_FRIEND_PW="FriendXXXXXXXX": Password for friends to join.
• -e ENSHROUDED_GUEST_PW="GuestXXXXXXXX": Password for guest access.
• bonsaibauer/enshrouded_server_docker:latest: The Docker Hub image used to run the server.

💡 Tip: You can skip the -e environment variables if you prefer to manage all server settings later in the enshrouded_server.json file inside the mounted volume.

3.2 Option: (B) Launch the Container (Simplified Version)

You can launch the Enshrouded server container with just the essential Docker options. Since all configuration can be handled later through the enshrouded_server.json file, there's no need to set environment variables during startup.

1. Step: Download the repository

Change to the working directory:

cd /home/enshrouded

Clone the project from GitHub:

sudo git clone https://github.com/bonsaibauer/enshrouded_server_docker.git
cd enshrouded_server_docker

2. Step: Build the Docker image

Run the following command in the project directory:

docker build -t enshrouded-server .

3. Step: Use the following command to run the server:

docker run -d \
  --name enshroudedserver \
  --restart=always \
  -p 15637:15637/udp \
  -v /home/enshrouded/enshrouded_server_docker:/home/steam/enshrouded \
  enshrouded-server

Explanation of the Command

• -d: Runs the container in detached mode (in the background).
• --name enshroudedserver: Names the container so you can reference it easily.
• --restart=always: Ensures the container automatically restarts if the server or host restarts.
• -p 15637:15637/udp: Exposes the necessary UDP port for the game.
• -v /home/enshrouded/enshrouded_server_docker:/home/steam/enshrouded: Mounts a local directory for persistent data like the configuration file (enshrouded_server.json).
• enshrouded-server: The name of the Docker image you're using to run the server. Once the container is running, you can stop it, edit the enshrouded_server.json file in the mounted volume (/home/enshrouded/enshrouded_server_docker), and then start the container again.

Monitoring Enshrouded Docker Server Logs for successful start

docker logs -f enshroudedserver

The -f flag means "follow", which shows real-time output.

Wait until you see the following logs to confirm it's running:

[Session] 'HostOnline' (up)!
[Session] finished transition from 'Lobby' to 'Host_Online' (current='Host_Online')!

To exit the log view safely and keep the server running, press:

Ctrl + C

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3.3 Option: (C) Launch the Container (with Environment Variables)

This command runs the Enshrouded dedicated server using Docker and sets several environment variables directly when launching the container.

1. Step: Download the repository

Change to the working directory:

cd /home/enshrouded

Clone the project from GitHub:

sudo git clone https://github.com/bonsaibauer/enshrouded_server_docker.git
cd enshrouded_server_docker

2. Step: Build the Docker image

Run the following command in the project directory:

docker build -t enshrouded-server .

3. Step: Use the following command to run the server:

Launch the container:

docker run -d \
  --name enshroudedserver \
  --restart=always \
  -p 15637:15637/udp \
  -v /home/enshrouded/enshrouded_server_docker:/home/steam/enshrouded \
  -e ENSHROUDED_SERVER_NAME="myservername" \
  -e ENSHROUDED_SERVER_MAXPLAYERS=16 \
  -e ENSHROUDED_VOICE_CHAT_MODE="Proximity" \
  -e ENSHROUDED_ENABLE_VOICE_CHAT=false \
  -e ENSHROUDED_ENABLE_TEXT_CHAT=false \
  -e ENSHROUDED_GAME_PRESET="Default" \
  -e ENSHROUDED_ADMIN_PW="AdminXXXXXXXX" \
  -e ENSHROUDED_FRIEND_PW="FriendXXXXXXXX" \
  -e ENSHROUDED_GUEST_PW="GuestXXXXXXXX" \
  enshrouded-server

Explanation of Environmental Variables

• -d: Run in detached mode (in the background).
• --name enshroudedserver: Names the container “enshroudedserver”.
• --restart=always: Automatically restarts the container if it stops or the host reboots.
• -p 15637:15637/udp: Maps the UDP port 15637 from the container to the host, required for the game server.
• -v /home/enshrouded/enshrouded_server_docker:/home/steam/enshrouded: Mounts a local directory for persistent data and configuration.
• -e ENSHROUDED_SERVER_NAME="myservername": Sets the server's visible name.
• -e ENSHROUDED_SERVER_MAXPLAYERS=16: Limits the number of players to 16.
• -e ENSHROUDED_VOICE_CHAT_MODE="Proximity": Enables proximity-based voice chat.
• -e ENSHROUDED_ENABLE_VOICE_CHAT=false: Disables voice chat (this overrides the mode setting).
• -e ENSHROUDED_ENABLE_TEXT_CHAT=false: Disables text chat in-game.
• -e ENSHROUDED_GAME_PRESET="Default": Sets the game rules preset.
• -e ENSHROUDED_ADMIN_PW="AdminXXXXXXXX": Password for admin access.
• -e ENSHROUDED_FRIEND_PW="FriendXXXXXXXX": Password for friends to join.
• -e ENSHROUDED_GUEST_PW="GuestXXXXXXXX": Password for guest access.
• enshrouded-server: The Docker image used to run the server.

💡 Tip: You can skip the -e environment variables if you prefer to manage all server settings later in the enshrouded_server.json file inside the mounted volume.

Monitoring Enshrouded Docker Server Logs for successful start

docker logs -f enshroudedserver

The -f flag means "follow", which shows real-time output.

Wait until you see the following logs to confirm it's running:

[Session] 'HostOnline' (up)!
[Session] finished transition from 'Lobby' to 'Host_Online' (current='Host_Online')!

To exit the log view safely and keep the server running, press:

Ctrl + C

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4. Edit server configuration

🔧 This file is located in the mounted directory: /home/enshrouded/enshrouded_server_docker/enshrouded_server.json

nano enshrouded_server.json

Edit the enshrouded_server.json file to configure your server settings.

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General Server Settings

Setting	Description	Example / Default Value	Options / Notes
name	Name of the server	"Enshrouded Server"	Any string
saveDirectory	Directory where savegames are stored	"./savegame"	File path
logDirectory	Directory for log files	"./logs"	File path
ip	Server IP binding	"0.0.0.0"	Server ip adress
...	...	...	...

... View full server settings here

ℹ️ Note: Nano editor

After editing the enshrouded_server.json file, follow these steps to save your changes and exit the Nano editor:

1. Save:

   • Press CTRL + O (this means "Write Out").
   • Press Enter to confirm and save the file with the current name.

2. Exit:

   • Press CTRL + X to close the Nano editor.

You will then return to the regular command line.

5. Docker commands to manage Enshrouded Server

Start the Enshrouded Server

If the container has already been created (e.g. from a previous docker run), you can start it again with:

docker start enshroudedserver

Stop the Enshrouded Server

To safely stop the server without deleting the container:

docker stop enshroudedserver

Update the Enshrouded Server

To restart the container (stop and start again):

docker restart enshroudedserver

Stop and remove the container

docker stop enshroudedserver
docker rm enshroudedserver

Buy Me A Coffee

If this project has helped you in any way, do buy me a coffee so I can continue to build more of such projects in the future and share them with the community!