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ARK: Survival Evolved Dedicated Server Docker

A Docker container for running an ARK: Survival Evolved dedicated server using ARK Server Tools (arkmanager).

Features

• ARK Server Tools Integration: Full-featured server management with arkmanager
• Automatic Updates: Optional server and mod updates on startup
• Mod Support: Easy installation and management of Steam Workshop mods
• Comprehensive Configuration: Environment variables for all major server options
• Graceful Shutdown: Proper world saving on container stop

Server Requirements

Resource	Minimum	Recommended
CPU	2 cores	4+ cores
RAM	6GB	8GB+
Storage	30GB	50GB

How to use

Copy the .env.example file to a new file called .env and adjust the settings as needed.

Docker compose

Starting the server with Docker Compose:

docker compose up -d

Stopping the server:

docker compose down

Viewing logs:

docker compose logs -f

Environment Variables

Variable	Default	Description
PUID	-	Required User ID for file permissions
PGID	-	Required Group ID for file permissions
SESSION_NAME	ARK Server	The name of your server
SERVER_PASSWORD	(empty)	Password required to join (leave empty for no password)
ADMIN_PASSWORD	adminpass	Admin/RCON password
MAX_PLAYERS	10	Maximum number of players
WORLD	TheIsland	Map name (TheIsland, ScorchedEarth_P, TheCenter, Ragnarok, etc.)
SERVER_PORT	7777	Game port
QUERY_PORT	27015	Query port
RCON_PORT	27020	RCON port
SERVER_PVE	false	Enable PvE mode
BATTLEEYE	false	Enable BattlEye anti-cheat
DIFFICULTY_OFFSET	0.2	Difficulty offset (0.0-1.0)
OVERRIDE_OFFICIAL_DIFFICULTY	5.0	Override difficulty (affects max dino level)
MOD_IDS	(empty)	Comma-separated mod IDs (e.g., 731604991,893735676)
CLUSTER_ID	(empty)	Cluster ID for server clusters
CLUSTER_DIR_OVERRIDE	(empty)	Custom cluster directory path
ADDITIONAL_ARGS	(empty)	Additional command line arguments (e.g., -ServerHardcore -ForceAllowCaveFlyers)
BETA	public	Server branch (public, preaquatica, etc.)
UPDATE_ON_START	true	Update server on container start

Additional Arguments Examples

You can add any ARK server flags via ADDITIONAL_ARGS:

# Hardcore mode with cave flyers
ADDITIONAL_ARGS=-ServerHardcore -ForceAllowCaveFlyers

# PvE with no structure decay
ADDITIONAL_ARGS=-DisableStructureDecayPvE -AllowFlyerCarryPvE

# Disable crosshair and third person
ADDITIONAL_ARGS=-ServerCrosshair=false -ServerAllowThirdPersonPlayer=false

For a complete list of available flags, see the ARK Server Configuration Wiki.

Common Additional Arguments

• -ServerHardcore - Enable hardcore mode
• -ServerCrosshair - Show crosshair
• -ServerAllowThirdPersonPlayer - Allow third person view
• -ForceAllowCaveFlyers - Allow flyers in caves
• -DisableStructureDecayPvE - Disable structure decay on PvE
• -AllowFlyerCarryPvE - Allow flyers to carry dinos in PvE
• -DisableDinoDecayPvE - Disable dino decay in PvE
• -AllowCaveBuildingPvE - Allow building in caves (PvE)
• -AllowCaveBuildingPvP - Allow building in caves (PvP)
• -DisableFriendlyFire - Disable friendly fire
• -PreventOfflinePvP - Prevent offline raiding
• -GlobalVoiceChat - Enable global voice chat
• -ProximityChat - Enable proximity voice chat
• -NoTributeDownloads - Disable tribute downloads
• -preventdownloadsurvivors - Prevent survivor downloads
• -preventdownloaditems - Prevent item downloads
• -preventdownloaddinos - Prevent dino downloads
• -exclusivejoin - Enable whitelist mode

Ports

Make sure to forward these ports on your router:

• 7777/udp - Game port
• 27015/udp - Query port
• 27020/tcp - RCON port

File Structure

steamcmd/                   (created on first run)
└── ark/
    └── ShooterGame/
        ├── Binaries/
        ├── Content/
        │   └── Mods/       # Installed mods
        ├── Saved/
        │   ├── Config/
        │   └── SavedArks/  # World saves
        └── steamapps/

Using ARK Server Tools

This container uses ARK Server Tools (arkmanager) for server management. You can execute arkmanager commands directly:

# Check server status
docker exec -u steam ark-server arkmanager status

# Update server and mods
docker exec -u steam ark-server arkmanager update --update-mods


# Create a backup
docker exec -u steam ark-server arkmanager backup

# Broadcast a message
docker exec -u steam ark-server arkmanager broadcast "Server restart in 5 minutes"

# Execute RCON command
docker exec -u steam ark-server arkmanager rconcmd "ListPlayers"

# Save the world
docker exec -u steam ark-server arkmanager saveworld

# Stop the server gracefully
docker exec -u steam ark-server arkmanager stop --saveworld

# Restart the server
docker exec -u steam ark-server arkmanager restart --warn

Note: Always use -u steam flag to run commands as the steam user.

For more arkmanager commands, see the ARK Server Tools documentation.