Project Zomboid Sandbox settings: all 62 panel values

Project Zomboid stores world rules in SandboxVars.lua. The game-serverhosting CustomUI turns its nested Lua values into understandable controls for zombie population, respawn, senses, loot, vehicles, time and survival rules. The curated catalog covers 62 settings across Build 41 and Build 42.

The hosting overview is available under Project Zomboid server hosting. Back up both the world and its server profile before changing Sandbox settings.

Why the visible fields depend on the build

The editor reads the server's actual SandboxVars.lua and displays only keys present in that file. It therefore does not write a Build 42 key blindly into a Build 41 file. Option labels and available difficulty presets are also read from the installed game version. The full table below is a combined reference; your server may show fewer fields.

Stop the server before saving

Stop the server before applying changes. A running Project Zomboid process can write its loaded settings back during shutdown and overwrite an edit. The active file path ends in {SERVER_NAME}_SandboxVars.lua.

Configure zombie population as one system

The broad zombies setting combines with the detailed multipliers. population_multiplier describes the desired population, population_start_multiplier its initial level and population_peak_multiplier the later peak. population_peak_day controls when that peak is reached.

Respawn is governed by respawn_hours, respawn_unseen_hours and respawn_multiplier. Setting respawn_hours=0 disables regular respawn passes. Change these values as a group and observe several in-game days before adjusting them again.

Difficulty, senses and day length

Zombie speed, strength, toughness, memory, sight and hearing can shape encounters more strongly than a single population value. Random options intentionally create mixed zombies. day_length controls the real duration of a full in-game day, which indirectly changes progression, resource consumption and the pace of timed events.

Existing worlds may react differently from newly generated worlds. Test a backed-up copy or change only a few connected settings at a time. Mods can add their own Sandbox blocks; the editor may discover additional vanilla or mod values from the active file.

All 62 curated settings

The reference is collapsed by default. Each row gives the path in SandboxVars.lua, valid options or numeric ranges and the setting's effect. A dash in the default column means the editor keeps the value from the current file rather than imposing a universal default.

Verify after the restart

Check the server log for Lua or parsing errors first. Join with the same game build and test the changed area. Population and loot changes may not be visible in one location immediately, so record the previous value and judge the result over a suitable period.

FAQ

Why do I not see all 62 settings?

The catalog combines Build 41 and Build 42. The panel shows only paths that exist in your active file.

Can I disable zombie respawn completely?

Yes. In the detailed respawn configuration, respawn_hours=0 disables regular respawn passes. Also review the broad Build 42 respawn setting when it is available.

Which value creates more zombies?

population_multiplier is the main fine-grained value. The start and peak multipliers plus peak day control how the population changes over time. The broad zombie-count setting also remains part of the result.

Must the server really be stopped?

Yes. Saving requires a reliably stopped server so the running game process cannot overwrite the file.

Sources and review date

Reviewed: 8 September 2026. Fields come from the current panel schema and are matched to the active server file at runtime. English game labels are derived from The Indie Stone's official translation repository:

• The Indie Stone – Project Zomboid Translations
• Official English Sandbox strings