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server.cfg and users.cfg

Rust reads a configuration file called server.cfg every time the server starts. It is where you set max players, the RCON password and many other options (called convars). Admin and moderator rights go in a second file, users.cfg.

note

There is no startup page for Rust. The server name, description, map size and seed are managed in Wipes, so set those there and not in server.cfg.

Where the files are​

Both files are in the cfg folder of your server identity:

  • /server/rust/cfg/server.cfg
  • /server/rust/cfg/users.cfg

In Files, open the server folder, then rust, then cfg. If a file does not exist yet, press New File inside cfg and create it with the exact name.

Edit server.cfg​

  1. On Console, press Stop (recommended, so nothing overwrites your changes).
  2. Open server.cfg in Files. Click the file to edit it in the browser.
  3. Add or change lines in the form convar value. Put text values in quotes.
  4. Save the file.
  5. Press Start. The file is read when the server starts, so a restart is needed for changes to apply.

Example:

server.maxplayers 100
rcon.password "use-a-long-unique-password"
server.pve false
decay.scale 1
server.saveinterval 300
fps.limit 60

Lines starting with // are comments and are ignored.

Useful convars​

ConvarWhat it does
server.maxplayersMaximum number of players. More players need more CPU and memory, so choose a number your plan can handle.
rcon.passwordPassword for RCON. Required to use remote tools.
server.pvetrue stops players from damaging each other.
decay.scaleSpeed of building decay. 1 is normal, 0 turns decay off, higher values make bases decay faster.
server.tickrateServer update rate. The default is fine for almost everyone: leave it alone.
server.saveintervalSeconds between automatic world saves.
fps.limitCaps the server frame rate. Lower values use less CPU.

Gather rates, kits and teleports are not vanilla convars. They come from plugins.

tip

Do not change server.ip, server.port, rcon.ip or rcon.port. FenixHost sets them to match the ports shown in Network in Settings.

users.cfg: owners and moderators​

users.cfg lists the players with admin rights in game. Each line uses the player's 17-digit Steam ID (SteamID64):

ownerid 76561198000000000 "PlayerName" "owner"
moderatorid 76561198000000001 "PlayerName" "moderator"

Owners can use all console commands in game (open F1). Moderators have fewer permissions. Restart the server after editing the file. These roles are separate from panel access: to let someone use the panel, add them under Users in Settings.

If a change does not apply​

note

Some convars are also set by FenixHost when the server starts. If a change in server.cfg does not apply, the startup value may be winning. First check the file name and path, that you saved, and that you restarted. If it still does not apply, open a ticket and tell us which convar and value you tried.

Other checks:

  • Each line must be convar value, with a space and no =.
  • Look at the console right after starting: Rust reports unknown commands and errors there.
  • If the server stops starting after an edit, remove your last changes or restore a backup.
  • FenixAI can read the console and propose a fix, and applies it only when you press Apply.

Related: RCON, Optimization, Wipes, Contact support.