Rust Server Setup

This guide covers configuring your Rust server: map size, server name, player limits, admin setup, uMod plugins, and wipe schedules.

Startup parameters

Rust server settings are controlled through startup variables in the Dashboard. Go to Startup to configure them:

Variable	Default	Description
server.hostname	My Rust Server	The name shown in the server browser
server.maxplayers	50	Max concurrent players
server.worldsize	3500	Map size in metres (1000–6000)
server.seed	random	Map seed. Set a number for a repeatable map.
server.description	(blank)	Description shown in server browser
server.headerimage	(blank)	URL of a banner image for your listing
server.url	(blank)	Link from the server browser to your website/Discord

Choosing a map size

Map size significantly affects server performance and gameplay feel:

World size	Best for	Notes
1500–2000	Small private servers, 10–20 players	Fast and intense with less travel time
3000–3500	Community servers, 30–60 players	Good balance of size and performance
4000–5000	Large pop servers, 75–100 players	More monuments, more resources

Becoming an admin

To give yourself admin rights, run this in the Console tab. Replace the placeholder with your Steam64 ID:

ownerid YOUR_STEAM64_ID "YourName" "owner"

Then restart the server. To find your Steam64 ID, go to steamid.io and enter your Steam profile URL.

To give moderator access to another player:

moderatorid THEIR_STEAM64_ID "TheirName" "mod"

Installing uMod plugins

Your Rust plan comes with uMod (formerly Oxide) pre-installed. Plugins are .cs files that hot-load without a server restart.

1. Find a plugin on umod.org
2. Download the .cs file
3. In your Dashboard, go to Files → oxide → plugins
4. Upload the .cs file. It loads immediately.

To reload a plugin after editing it:

oxide.reload PluginName

To list all loaded plugins:

oxide.plugins

Wipe schedule

Rust maps are wiped to reset player progress and the world. Forced wipes happen on the first Thursday of every month (Facepunch updates the game). You may want to wipe more frequently for a fresh experience.

To wipe the map only (keep player blueprints):

1. Stop the server
2. Go to Files
3. Delete server/my_server_identity/map.sav and any .map files
4. Change the server.seed in Startup to a new number
5. Start the server. A new map generates.

To full wipe (map + blueprints):

1. Stop the server
2. Go to Files → server → my_server_identity
3. Delete all files in that folder
4. Start the server