> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://axiomemu.gitbook.io/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://axiomemu.gitbook.io/docs/readme.md).

# Home

Configuration reference for every file shipped with an AXIOM-EMU server installation. Audience: server admins running compiled binaries + config templates.

## Server Suite

Four services make up the AXIOM-EMU server. Each ships with its own config files; each has a section here.

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>GameServer</strong></td><td>Game logic, per-server identity (6 .dat files)</td><td><a href="/pages/6v18J44ti0CIRYN1XcRn">/pages/6v18J44ti0CIRYN1XcRn</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>DataServer</strong></td><td>SQL Server persistence + Write-Ahead Log</td><td><a href="/pages/4fTZxkdVIiitX4Qnl0p7">/pages/4fTZxkdVIiitX4Qnl0p7</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>ConnectServer</strong></td><td>Server list, client entry, UDP heartbeats</td><td><a href="/pages/9suP4StBkphy8ppoSdlQ">/pages/9suP4StBkphy8ppoSdlQ</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>JoinServer</strong></td><td>Account authentication + inter-server transfer</td><td><a href="/pages/o7mXPivqAJaJQTkETqYj">/pages/o7mXPivqAJaJQTkETqYj</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

## Shared Game Content

One folder shared by every GameServer instance: items, monsters, events, skills, plugins, shops, quests.

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Data</strong></td><td>Items, monsters, events, skills, shops, plugins</td><td><a href="/pages/MDBZlS8VX8cwJXrZY1MY">/pages/MDBZlS8VX8cwJXrZY1MY</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Tools</strong></td><td>ConfigEncoder and supporting utilities</td><td><a href="/pages/sSuVe1ksZcgcfaCoi893">/pages/sSuVe1ksZcgcfaCoi893</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

## Two Config Roots for GameServer

GameServer reads from two distinct locations:

| Location                | Scope                                                                          | Contents                                                          |
| ----------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `GameServer/Data/`      | Per-server identity. One copy per running GameServer instance                  | The 6 `GameServerInfo - *.dat` files                              |
| `Data/` at release root | Shared game content. One copy per installation, read by every GameServer on it | Items, monsters, events, skills, plugins, shops, quests, messages |

Multi-server deployments get one `GameServer/Data/` per instance (different `ServerCode`, `ServerPort`, `LicenseKey`) and share the single root-level `Data/` folder.

## Reading Order for New Admins

1. [GameServer Overview](/docs/gameserver/gameserver.md) - server topology, startup order, dependencies
2. [Common.dat](/docs/gameserver/common-dat.md) - server identity, ports, rates, PK, guild rules (this is where most admin work happens)
3. [ConnectServer ServerList.xml](/docs/connectserver/serverlist-xml.md) - which servers appear to the client
4. [JoinServer Overview](/docs/joinserver/joinserver.md) - account auth flow
5. [Data Overview](/docs/data/data.md) - everything under the shared `Data/` root
6. Section-specific pages as needed (items, monsters, events)

## Key Concepts

{% hint style="info" %}
**Rate scales vary.** Some keys are percentages (`0-100`), some are out of `10000` for fine granularity, some are raw multipliers. Each page states the scale for every value. Check before assuming.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
**Account Level tiers.** Many keys end in `_AL0`, `_AL1`, `_AL2`, `_AL3`. These map to VIP tiers read from the account. See [Common.dat Account Level](/docs/gameserver/common-dat.md#account-level-al0-al3). Keep all four equal when VIP is disabled.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Plugins can shadow `.dat` keys.** Some systems have both a legacy `.dat` config and a newer plugin XML. When the plugin is loaded, it wins and the `.dat` values are ignored. Affected: chaos mix recipes, `/reset` and `/mreset` commands, `/post`. Each affected page has a "Which Keys Actually Apply" section explaining the precedence.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Most edits require a server restart.** A few plugins support hot reload, but defaults assume restart. Each page notes its reload behavior.
{% endhint %}

## Getting Help

1. Check the specific page for Common Issues at the bottom
2. Verify cross-file dependencies listed on each page
3. Check the GameServer log for validation errors at startup
4. Contact AXIOM-EMU support with the affected config section and log excerpt