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Install YARK and run your first ASA dedicated server

  1. Install YARK

    Download the current Windows installer and run it. After install, open YARK server manager.

    Before running the installer, follow Verify your download below and compare it with the matching official release asset.

    On first launch with no server profiles, YARK opens a skippable Set up YARK wizard (SteamCMD, Windows shell, optional cluster, then create or import). You can skip and open it later from Settings → Open setup assistant.

  2. Point SteamCMD

    Install SteamCMD somewhere writable. Set the path in the first-run wizard or in YARK → Settings (folder that contains steamcmd.exe). You can continue setup and create a profile while SteamCMD is only Recommended; Install files will fail until SteamCMD is Ready.

    Setup assistant showing SteamCMD and the default base folder
    Setup assistant — configure SteamCMD now, or continue and return later.

    One SteamCMD home is shared across profiles. Next to it, YARK maintains:

    CacheRole
    steamapps/depotcacheCompressed Steam downloads
    asa_content_cacheShared expanded ASA files copied into each server

  3. Create or import a server profile

    New server creates a profile with:

    • Install path — absolute Windows path (C:\ARK\MyServer or UNC)
    • Map + session name — New server is official maps only. After create, CurseForge map packs need the pack on Mods (enabled) plus the launch token under Map (Map mods or Custom…)
    • Ports — unique game / query / RCON within the profile and across other profiles (the form shows live port conflicts vs the fleet)
    • Admin password — at least 4 characters
    • Cluster — None, or pick an existing fleet cluster (fills Cluster ID + shared directory). If you have no clusters yet, use Create a cluster first… from the form, or create one later on the Clusters page.
    Setup assistant suggesting a shared cluster folder from the default server base
    Optional cluster setup — YARK suggests a shared folder that you can replace.

    You can leave a new profile disabled until files are ready; Enable does not require a Ready install. Start, Restart, and auto-start still do. For a first custom map, see Mods → Maps / custom worlds.

    Already have ASA files on disk? Use Import install (Overview / workspace New server ▾) to adopt that folder as a profile without rewriting INI until you Start (or Install/Verify). Select the folder that contains ShooterGame (not ShooterGame\Binaries\Win64). When Import reports Ready, skip step 4 and go to Start (or take a backup first). For an Incomplete tree, check Import anyway — Install/Verify before Start, then run Install/Verify before Start. Empty folders are not importable — use New server on that path, then Install.

  4. Install dedicated files (new installs only)

    From the server actions, run the files install / update. Progress lives on Downloads (and a footer teaser on other pages). First sync can take a long time and needs free disk for the shared cache and the per-server copy. Worlds under ShooterGame\Saved are not overwritten by the cache sync. Skip this step when you used Import install and the profile is already Ready; run it after an incomplete Import opt-in.

  5. Start the server

    Press Start. Status stays starting until RCON answers on localhost — that means “accepting players”, not merely “process spawned”. Use Logs → Runtime / Events if it stalls.

    Servers overview listing profiles with status and actions

    Overview — fleet metric strip, survivors / RAM / CPU when live, sort/view controls, Update All for stopped outdated servers, and read-only queue status that opens Downloads for pause/resume.

  6. Take a backup before experimenting

    Open the workspace Backups tab and create at least a world backup. Prefer safe update / restart later so critical-path snapshots run for you.

Tip: Ctrl+K opens Quick jump to pages and servers. Structured ASA launch flags live on the workspace Launch tab (see Start, stop, restart).

Verify your download

Section titled “Verify your download”

Use the exact installer name for the version you downloaded:

Terminal window
Get-FileHash ".\YARK-server-manager-Setup-VERSION.exe" -Algorithm SHA256

Open YARK Releases, select the matching version, and compare the complete SHA-256 value. Do not install the file if the values differ or if it came from a mirror you do not trust.

Next reads

Section titled “Next reads”