Windrose on Flux › Setup Guide
How to Set Up a Windrose Dedicated Server (2026)
This guide walks through both ways to run a persistent Windrose dedicated server: self-hosting the Linux/Docker server yourself, and deploying a fully managed server on the Flux decentralized cloud in about 30 seconds. Windrose is a co-op PvE pirate survival game that supports up to 8 players, and a dedicated server keeps your world, ships and crew progression online 24/7 - even when everyone is offline.
Why run a dedicated server instead of hosting from the game?
When you host Windrose directly from your game client, the world only exists while you are online. The moment you close the game, every friend is disconnected and progress pauses. A dedicated server removes that limitation: the world runs continuously, friends in any time zone can log in whenever they like, and you gain admin tooling - RCON, live map, rate multipliers, scheduled restarts and backups - that player-hosting does not offer.
Method 1: Self-host the Windrose dedicated server (Linux + Docker)
- Provision a machine that meets the requirements: about 16 GB RAM, a modern quad-core CPU, and 30 GB of SSD. See our Windrose dedicated server requirements for details.
- Install Docker on your Linux host and pull the Windrose dedicated server image (the server ships as a Linux/Docker build; consult the game's DedicatedServer documentation for the current image and tags).
- Configure the server - set the server name, world settings and any XP/loot/crafting multipliers via the config file or environment variables.
- Open the ports your server uses on both your firewall and router (port forwarding), and make sure they are reachable from the internet.
- Start the container, wait for the first boot to finish, then grab the invite code so friends can join.
- Maintain it - keep the image updated to match the client version, schedule backups of the save data, and monitor RAM/CPU as your world grows.
Self-hosting is free apart from your hardware or VPS bill, but you own every part of the stack: the OS, networking, updates, uptime and backups.
Method 2: Deploy a managed Windrose server on Flux (recommended)
- Create a free account at windrose.runonflux.com with Google, email or a Flux wallet.
- Choose a plan sized for your crew and a region close to your players for the lowest ping.
- Click deploy - automated provisioning brings your dedicated server online in under 30 seconds, with DDoS protection and the WindrosePlus admin suite already enabled.
- Share the invite code from your dashboard - see how to play with friends.
- Manage everything from the web dashboard: file manager, config editor, live map, multipliers, backups and restore.
The managed route handles the operating system, networking, ports and updates for you, so you can focus on sailing instead of sysadmin work.
Setup FAQ
How long does it take to set up a Windrose server?
Self-hosting takes anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour depending on your experience. A managed Flux deployment is live in about 30 seconds.
Do I need port forwarding?
Only when self-hosting. Managed Flux servers open the required ports automatically.
Can I move my world later?
Yes - the save data is portable, so you can migrate between hosts or between self-hosted and managed.