Tools / Project Zomboid Recipes / Long-Haul Persistent (Build 42)

Long-Haul Persistent (Build 42)

World keeps ticking 24/7. For asynchronous groups where players log in at different times and want a living world.

working · Project Zomboid 42 · verified 2026-05-26 · vanilla, build-42, persistent, async

Deployable config

[servertest.ini]
MaxPlayers=12
PauseEmpty=false
PVP=false
SafetySystem=true
ShowSafety=true
DisplayUserName=true
ServerWelcomeMessage=Welcome - the world doesn't wait for you.
SaveWorldEveryMinutes=15
HoursForLootRespawn=336
MaxItemsForLootRespawn=6

Download serverpack.json Host this preset

Install steps

Download the generated serverpack.json for a portable copy of this preset.
Copy the config values above into the matching dedicated-server config file.
Restart the server and test a fresh connection before inviting players.

Notes

PauseEmpty=false is the key setting - time advances even with no one online. Pair with no-respawn or short-life characters for the full effect.
SaveWorldEveryMinutes=15 reduces lost progress if the server crashes during async play.
HoursForLootRespawn=336 (2 weeks) means abandoned safehouses eventually get re-lootable, but slowly enough that the world feels stable.
Server CPU stays busy 24/7 with this config - budget accordingly.

serverpack.json

{
  "schema_version": "0.2",
  "game": "project-zomboid",
  "game_version": "42",
  "source": null,
  "compat": {
    "min_game_version": "42",
    "max_game_version": null
  },
  "provenance": {
    "tool": "recipe:long-haul-persistent-build-42",
    "generated_by": "tools.supercraft.host",
    "generated_at": "2026-07-10T09:10:44.989133+00:00"
  },
  "install": {
    "requires_restart": true
  },
  "mods": [],
  "configs": {
    "servertest.ini": {
      "MaxPlayers": "12",
      "PauseEmpty": "false",
      "PVP": "false",
      "SafetySystem": "true",
      "ShowSafety": "true",
      "DisplayUserName": "true",
      "ServerWelcomeMessage": "Welcome - the world doesn't wait for you.",
      "SaveWorldEveryMinutes": "15",
      "HoursForLootRespawn": "336",
      "MaxItemsForLootRespawn": "6"
    }
  }
}