# Palworld Save Converter - How To Use

This tool converts a Palworld 1.0 local co-op host character into the matching dedicated server character after moving the world to a dedicated server.

It is intended for this specific migration:

- From: local co-op hosted world
- To: dedicated server world
- Character: co-op host player
- Palworld version: Palworld 1.0 save format

## What It Converts

The converter patches the copied dedicated server world so the new dedicated server player account can use the original co-op host character.

It is designed to preserve:

- Player character data
- Inventory and equipment
- Party Pals
- Guild membership
- Pal box access
- Base and guild Pals
- World, base, and chest contents

## Before You Start

Make a manual backup before doing anything. The converter also creates its own backup, but you should still keep a copy of the original save somewhere safe.

Stop the dedicated server before running the converter. The converter will refuse to run if it detects the Palworld server process.

## Required Files

The app folder should contain:

- `PalworldSaveConverter.UI.exe`
- `PalworldSaveConverter.UI.dll`
- `PalworldSaveConverter.Core.dll`
- `PalworldSaveConverter.UI.deps.json`
- `PalworldSaveConverter.UI.runtimeconfig.json`
- `oo2core_9_win64.dll`

`oo2core_9_win64.dll` is required for Palworld 1.0 `PlM1` save decompression and recompression.

## Step-by-Step Migration

### 1. Locate Your Local Co-op Save

Local Palworld saves are usually stored under:

```text
C:\Users\<YourWindowsUser>\AppData\Local\Pal\Saved\SaveGames\<SteamId>\<WorldId>
```

The world folder should contain files like:

- `Level.sav`
- `LevelMeta.sav`
- `WorldOption.sav`
- `Players`

The co-op host player save is usually:

```text
Players\00000000000000000000000000000001.sav
```

### 2. Copy the World to the Dedicated Server

Dedicated server saves are usually stored under:

```text
<PalServerInstall>\Pal\Saved\SaveGames\0\<WorldId>
```

Example:

```text
C:\SteamCMD\steamapps\common\PalServer\Pal\Saved\SaveGames\0\<WorldId>
```

Copy the local co-op world folder into the dedicated server save location.

### 3. Start the Dedicated Server Once

Start the dedicated server and join it with the Steam account that should receive the converted character.

Palworld will ask you to create a new character. Create one, enter the world, then log out.

This step is required because the server must generate the new dedicated server player `.sav` file.

### 4. Stop the Dedicated Server

Fully stop the dedicated server before converting.

Do not run the converter while the server is open.

### 5. Run the Converter

Open:

```text
PalworldSaveConverter.UI.exe
```

In the app:

1. Select the dedicated server world folder.
2. Leave `Old Co-op Host GUID` as:

```text
00000000000000000000000000000001
```

3. Select the detected dedicated server player ID from `Detected Player Saves`.
4. Keep `Create full backup before converting` checked.
5. Click `Convert Character`.

The app will create a backup folder named:

```text
_PalworldSaveConverterBackups
```

inside the save parent folder.

### 6. Start the Server and Test

Start the dedicated server again and join with the same account.

Check:

- Your character loads without creating a new character.
- Your inventory and equipment are present.
- Your party Pals are present.
- Your guild is correct.
- Your Pal box is accessible.
- Base and guild Pals are present.
- Chests and world objects still exist.

## Restoring From Backup

If anything looks wrong, stop the server and restore the backup created before conversion.

Backups are stored near the world folder, usually:

```text
<PalServerInstall>\Pal\Saved\SaveGames\0\_PalworldSaveConverterBackups
```

Replace the converted world folder with the backup copy.

## Common Problems

### The app says the server is running

Stop the Palworld dedicated server completely, then run the converter again.

### The new player ID is missing

Start the dedicated server, join once, create a temporary character, then log out and stop the server. The converter needs the dedicated server player save that Palworld creates during this step.

### The character still asks to be created

The wrong dedicated server player ID may have been selected, or the world folder may not be the actual world folder being loaded by the server.

### Pals or guild access are missing

Restore from backup and confirm you are using the current Palworld 1.0 targeted converter. Older/debug builds used broader patching that could break Pal or guild ownership.

## Scope and Limits

This is not a universal save editor.

Supported:

- Palworld 1.0 save format
- Local co-op host to dedicated server character migration
- Windows

Not currently supported:

- Converting arbitrary non-host co-op players
- Merging two different worlds
- Editing character stats/items manually
- Guaranteeing compatibility with future Palworld save format changes