Why did my password change in Foundry setup disappear after a restart?

Your server recreates Foundry’s configuration every time it starts. Change the administrator password using the Foundry Admin Key field in the startup parameters.

Foundry Virtual Tabletop: Server Configuration

Learn how to configure your Foundry VTT server’s license details, download link, and administrator password—and where your data is stored → Learn more

10 November 20263 min read0 Views0 helpful

Introduction

Your Foundry Virtual Tabletop server only needs a few settings in ZapX: your license details so Foundry can be installed, and the administrator password for setup. In this guide, we’ll show you which fields are available, how they work together, and where your data is stored on the server.

Foundry Virtual Tabletop: Server Configuration

Startup Parameters

You can find the settings in the Configuration tab under Startup Parameters:

Field	Meaning
Foundry Username	The username or email address for your account on foundryvtt.com
Foundry Password	The password for your account on foundryvtt.com
Foundry Release Url	A time-limited download link from your Foundry account, as an alternative to your username and password
Foundry License Key	Your license key (optional)
Foundry Admin Key	The administrator password for Foundry setup

After you save, ZapX will offer to restart the server. The values are applied every time your server starts.

Adding Your License

Foundry Virtual Tabletop is installed using your own license from foundryvtt.com. You have two options:

Using Your Foundry Account

Enter your Foundry Username and Foundry Password. Your server will then download Foundry itself when it starts and automatically retrieve your license key from your account.

Using a Download Link

If you don’t want to save your account credentials, use a time-limited download link:

Sign in to foundryvtt.com and open the Purchased Software Licenses page in your account.
Select Node.js as the Operating System.
Click Timed URL and copy the link.
Enter it in Foundry Release Url right away, save, and restart your server.

Important

The download link is only valid for a short time, so generate it immediately before restarting. If this is your only way to access Foundry, it will ask for your license key the first time you open the interface—enter it there or add it in the Foundry License Key field.

If you’ve entered both a download link and a username and password, your server will use the download link first. The downloaded Foundry version is cached on your server, so subsequent starts don’t require a new link.

Multiple Licenses

If your account has multiple licenses, Foundry will otherwise choose one at random. In this case, enter either the desired license key or its number in the Foundry License Key field—for example, 1 for the first license, 2 for the second, and so on.

Administrator Password

Use the Foundry Admin Key to sign in to Foundry setup, where you manage game systems, modules, and worlds. It’s generated automatically when your server is set up. You can find it as the Password on the Foundry VTT card in your game server’s Overview.

Warning

Always change the administrator password using the Foundry Admin Key field in the startup parameters. Your server recreates Foundry’s configuration every time it starts, so changes made in the Configuration section of Foundry setup will be lost the next time the server restarts. Also, don’t leave the field empty, or your setup will no longer be password-protected.

Files and Folders

All Foundry data is stored in three folders, which you can access in the Files tab or via SFTP:

Data – your worlds (worlds), game systems (systems), modules (modules), and custom content such as maps, images, and music. You can also access this folder directly in the Savegames tab.
Config – Foundry’s configuration, which your server rewrites every time it starts
Logs – Foundry log files

The easiest way to upload large files, such as map images or music, is via SFTP to a subfolder in Data, for example Data/assets. You can then select them in Foundry as usual using the file browser.

Summary

Your Foundry server is now set up correctly. To learn how to install game systems and modules, create worlds, and set up your players, see our guide Worlds, Systems & Modules. If you have any other questions, our support team is available every day! 🙂

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

In the Configuration tab under Startup Parameters. Enter your Foundry Username and Foundry Password for your foundryvtt.com account, or add a time-limited download link in Foundry Release Url.

On foundryvtt.com, go to Purchased Software Licenses, select Node.js as the Operating System, and click Timed URL. The link is only valid for a short time, so enter it right away and restart your server.

Foundry chooses one at random unless you specify a license. Enter the desired key or license number in Foundry License Key, such as 1 for the first license.

Feedback

Was this article helpful?

Your feedback helps us prioritize and improve content.

0 of 0 Users found this article helpful.

Personal support

Need more help than the guide provides?

Our ZAP support team knows your product — briefly describe your issue and we'll help you personally.

Which 🍪 cookies would you like to allow?