pserv is always started as the 'pop' user (or whatever user you decided should be used). Normally there are no command line options required.
The --logfile option can be used to name the initial log file (default is /var/log/popular/pserv). The name of the logfile can later be changed with the set logfile directive.
The --rundir option can be used to change the run directory, where some files needed for the operation of pserv are stored. This can't be changed while the program is running.
All the rest of the configuration is done while the server is running. A server that has just started doesn't listen to any ports and has only default values set for its configuration variables.