Need an option to install beta branch

[Tander]

Ark devs basically destoryed public version of the game, so we need an option to specify beta branch "preaquatic" in order to make servers with mods working again.

As far as I understand (according to readme), currently there is no way to install beta branch, only update existing instance which isn't ideal.

Related issue in docker image that use ark-server-tools inside: Hermsi1337/docker-ark-server#112

[klightspeed]

Edited 28 Sep 2025:

You should be able to provide the --beta=preaquatica option to arkmanager install to install the preaquatica branch of the game server.

If the server is already installed, then using arkmanager update --beta=preaquatica --validate should also work.

Original:

You should be able to add steamcmd_appextraopts="-beta preaquatic" to your arkmanager.cfg to force the branch to preaquatic when installing or updating.

[Woshmistro]

steamcmd_appextraopts="-beta preaquatica" added into arkmanager.cfg worked for switching branch and got my docker server up again.
Can steamcmd_appextraopts info be added to the README please?

[Worldgate]

You all should back up your mod files in case some mod authors try and fix their mods, instead of them making a new mod branch, this way you can prevent issues that show up. I plan to never update the mods, a lot of my ase servers have mods that would kill my entire base if they were to be changed. Hell i haven't even booted up the hpe server that hosts them because im afraid the data will get f--ked.

[funtimes-ninja]

You should be able to add steamcmd_appextraopts="-beta preaquatic" to your arkmanager.cfg to force the branch to preaquatic when installing or updating.

steamcmd_appextraopts="-beta preaquatic"
vs
steamcmd_appextraopts="-beta preaquatica"

[simonghpub]

preaquatica

https://steamdb.info/app/376030/depots/?branch=preaquatica

[funtimes-ninja]

adding steamcmd_appextraopts="-beta preaquatica" to the arkmanager.cfg allowed me to run the command below and get the server running to before they broke everything.....

arkmanager install @extinction

However it seems other portions of the arkmanger script don't respect that additional or other beta options.

$ arkmanager checkupdate @extinction 
Running command 'checkupdate' for instance 'extinction'
Querying Steam database for latest version...
Current version:  13834083 
Available version:  19232157 
Your server needs to be restarted in order to receive the latest update.
Run "arkmanager update" to do so

I also tried the command below and still had the same output as above which isn't properly checking the beta branch.

arkmanager checkupdate --beta="preaquatica" @extinction

[Darkhelion]

The option for install beta branch already exist and explain here https://github.com/arkmanager/ark-server-tools?tab=readme-ov-file#commands-acting-on-instances

After make:
arkmanager install

make:
arkmanager update --beta=preaquatica --validate

and activate the beta branche preaquatica on steam client.

dont forget to have arkAutoUpdateOnStart="false" in your /etc/arkamanger/arkmanager.cfg

for return tout the public branch

arkmanager update --beta=public --validate

[klightspeed]

adding steamcmd_appextraopts="-beta preaquatica" to the arkmanager.cfg allowed me to run the command below and get the server running to before they broke everything.....

arkmanager install @extinction

However it seems other portions of the arkmanger script don't respect that additional or other beta options.

$ arkmanager checkupdate @extinction 
Running command 'checkupdate' for instance 'extinction'
Querying Steam database for latest version...
Current version:  13834083 
Available version:  19232157 
Your server needs to be restarted in order to receive the latest update.
Run "arkmanager update" to do so

I also tried the command below and still had the same output as above which isn't properly checking the beta branch.

arkmanager checkupdate --beta="preaquatica" @extinction

After switching branches to preaquatica and completing the update, it should check the build id of that branch (unless Steam has changed how the branch is recorded). I probably should have the --beta option set appbranch so that the proper branch is checked when determining the available version during that first update when switching branches.

[klightspeed]

adding steamcmd_appextraopts="-beta preaquatica" to the arkmanager.cfg allowed me to run the command below and get the server running to before they broke everything.....

arkmanager install @extinction

However it seems other portions of the arkmanger script don't respect that additional or other beta options.

$ arkmanager checkupdate @extinction 
Running command 'checkupdate' for instance 'extinction'
Querying Steam database for latest version...
Current version:  13834083 
Available version:  19232157 
Your server needs to be restarted in order to receive the latest update.
Run "arkmanager update" to do so

I also tried the command below and still had the same output as above which isn't properly checking the beta branch.

arkmanager checkupdate --beta="preaquatica" @extinction

v1.6.66 should fix the current branch not being picked up in arkmanager checkupdate or arkmanager status

Note that arkmanager checkupdate does not use the --beta option. Only arkmanager update (and arkmanager install as of 9745383) recognize that option, and both arkmanager checkupdate and arkmanager status should check the installed branch.

When using --beta, you will also want to remove the steamcmd_appextraopts="-beta preaquatica" in your arkmanager.cfg if you have added it. steamcmd will keep you on the selected branch until you switch it back, without needing the -beta option in subsequent updates.

You all should back up your mod files in case some mod authors try and fix their mods, instead of them making a new mod branch

Note that Steam workshop items do not support branches (the mod_branch specifies which platform directory to pull the mod files from within the workshop item), so any mods that want to work on both branches would likely need some version checking or would need to be re-uploaded as a compatibility mod.

[funtimes-ninja]

The latest release now includes the beta version and checks that steam version correctly. Thank you!

$ arkmanager upgrade-tools
arkmanager v1.6: Checking for updates...
Getting latest release...
A new version has been released: v1.6.67
* Add --beta option to arkmanager install to specify initial branch
Do you want to upgrade to v1.6.67? [Y/N] y
Getting commit for latest release...
Downloading installer
Running install.sh
A previous version of ARK Server Tools was detected in your system, your old configuration was not overwritten. You may need to manually update it.
A copy of the new configuration file was included in /etc/arkmanager. Make sure to review any changes and update your config accordingly!
ARK Server Tools successfully upgraded
Version: 1.6
Channel: master
Commit: 9745383
Release Tag: v1.6.67
Blob SHA: 75444ab75d6fd06eaf92e53a2ef95b52adf67246

$ arkmanager checkupdate @extinction 
Running command 'checkupdate' for instance 'extinction'
Querying Steam database for latest version...
Branch:  preaquatica 
Current version:  13834083 
Available version:  13834083 
Your server is up to date!

[BauerAndrasteHL]

Hi,
I've tried so many things to install a second server using the preaquatica beta brunch in Ark Manager, but nothing has worked. What is the correct command to install a second server? Is there a video tutorial?

arkmanager install --beta=preaquatica @ragnarok -->don´t works
arkmanager install --beta=appbranch @ragnarok -->don´t works

[klightspeed]

Hi, I've tried so many things to install a second server using the preaquatica beta brunch in Ark Manager, but nothing has worked. What is the correct command to install a second server? Is there a video tutorial?

arkmanager install --beta=preaquatica @ragnarok -->don´t works arkmanager install --beta=appbranch @ragnarok -->don´t works

What is the output from arkmanager install --verbose --beta=preaquatica @ragnarok and arkmanager status @ragnarok?

[BauerAndrasteHL]

Running command 'install' for instance 'ragnarok'
Error: no config files for instance ragnarok

Running command 'status' for instance 'ragnarok'
Error: no config files for instance ragnarok
root@73458-61051:/home/steam/steamcmd#

[simonghpub]

Do you have a config file for Ragnarok? /etc/arkmanager/instances/ragnarok.cfg?