# Arena setup

Create an arena, register rooms and spawns, add stations and save its reset template.

## Start in the arena world

The current build uses one arena per world. Stand in the world you want to turn into a game map and run `/zs setup`. It opens the setup menu for that world or offers arena creation when none exists.

Setup commands currently check `zombiesurvival.admin`. Ordinary player joining does not require that permission.

## Create and select a mode

```text
/zs arena create <name>
/zs arena setmode <arena> BO2
```

Use `COLDWAR` instead of `BO2` for salvage, plate armor and a selectable starting loadout. See [game modes](/zombiesurvival/wiki/game-modes).

Use `/zs arena list` to check the arena identifier. Commands with `<arena>` use that registered name; station creation resolves the arena from the world you are standing in.

## Register the spawns

Stand at each desired position and use:

```text
/zs arena setlobby <arena>
/zs arena setspectator <arena>
/zs arena addspawn <arena>
```

Add enough player spawns for the intended player count. Configure the minimum and maximum with `setminimumplayers` and `setmaximumplayers`, and keep those values consistent with the available map space.

## Rooms and zombie spawns

Rooms control map progression and the zombie spawning areas. Use `/zs arena addroom` to see the required arguments in-game, then create a main room and any additional rooms your map needs. Add zombie positions with `/zs arena addzombiespawn` for the relevant room.

Use `listrooms`, `listspawns` and `listzombiespawns` to review your work. Room IDs cannot be blank or contain dots. Zombie spawns must be inside their arena world.

## Add stations

Stand in the arena world and run `/zs station` to see the station creation options. Supported station types include:

- Perk machines
- Mystery boxes
- Wall-buy weapons
- Buyable doors
- Pack-a-Punch
- Power switches
- Teleporters
- Armor stations for COLDWAR (`/zs station armor`)

The command starts an in-world flow; click the sign and follow its prompts. `/zs station cancel` exits an unfinished station flow. Custom machine blocks can be placed with `/zs machine`; use its in-game help for the available types and prices.

## Save the reset template

With the arena empty and stopped, save the completed map:

```text
/zs arena saveworld <arena>
/zs arena status <arena>
```

Normal game resets restore changed doors and barriers through a block journal. The world template provides a recovery safety net. `/zs arena resetworld <arena>` restores the world from the saved template and discards later changes; save your finished construction first.

## Join and test

Set your main server lobby with `/zs setlobby` if needed. Join an arena with `/zs join <arena>` or a configured `[ZS]` join sign. Test with the intended player count and verify doors, stations, power, rounds, revives and the reset after the game ends.

Arena setup changes are blocked while a game or world reset is active. Empty and stop the arena before changing its layout or saving/restoring its template.