Counter-Strike 2 Server Guides
Dedicated server setup, config files, workshop maps, and competitive settings for CS2 community servers.
Setting Up a CS2 Server
Configure your Counter-Strike 2 server — game modes, map rotations, RCON, and workshop maps.
How to Connect to Your CS2 Server
Three ways to join your Counter-Strike 2 dedicated server: the in-game console, Steam server browser favorites, and the community server list. Includes troubleshooting for common connection failures.
Create a Game Server Login Token (GSLT) for CS2
A GSLT makes your CS2 server visible in the community server browser. Step-by-step guide to generating a token on Steam and adding it to your server panel. Covers token limits, expiry, and common mistakes.
CS2 Plugins: MetaMod & CounterStrikeSharp
Enable MetaMod and CounterStrikeSharp on your CS2 server to unlock plugins. Covers one-click install, manual plugin upload, and the full list of available plugins including practice mode, ranking systems, and admin tools.
How to Become an Admin on Your CS2 Server
Grant admin privileges on your CS2 server using the CounterStrikeSharp Admin Commands plugin. Covers finding your SteamID64, editing the admin config file, available flags and permissions, and using the in-game admin menu.
How to Switch Game Modes in CS2
Change your CS2 server between Competitive, Casual, Deathmatch, and Retakes game modes from the control panel. Covers the settings dropdown, max player limits per mode, and recommended config tweaks.
CS2 Practice Mode and Scrims with MatchZy
Set up CS2 practice mode (grenades, no damage, bots) and competitive scrims using the MatchZy plugin. Covers installation, chat commands, knife round, live mode, and sharing practice configs.
CS2 Custom and Workshop Maps
Load Steam Workshop maps on your CS2 server. Find the Workshop ID, change maps via server console commands, use collections for a full rotation, and troubleshoot maps that fail to download.
How to Edit Mapgroups in CS2
Create a custom map rotation on your CS2 server by editing gamemodes_server.txt. Covers the standard map pool, adding workshop maps, switching to mg_custom, and common config mistakes.
CS2 RCON: How to Send Commands to Your Server
Four ways to run console commands on your CS2 server: the panel Server Console, the hosting API, third-party RCON tools, and the Fake RCON plugin. Includes common commands and a note on Valve's native RCON status.
How to Install Fake RCON on Your CS2 Server
Valve hasn't enabled native RCON in CS2, but the Fake RCON MetaMod plugin restores that functionality. Step-by-step install guide, password configuration, and usage with standard RCON clients.
How to Record GOTV Demos on Your CS2 Server
Record GOTV demo files (.dem) on your CS2 server for match review and VOD casting. Enable GOTV, start and stop recording via console, download demos from File Manager, and avoid the tv_autorecord pitfall.
Change Max Players Per Game Mode in CS2
CS2 enforces per-mode player limits in gamemodes_server.txt regardless of your server's slot count. Edit the maxplayers value for competitive, casual, or deathmatch to run 10-player scrims, 1v1s, or larger servers.
Play All 24 Rounds in CS2 (mp_match_can_clinch)
Force your CS2 server to play all 24 rounds regardless of match score using mp_match_can_clinch 0. Two methods: via the MatchZy plugin (.playout) or by manually editing the competitive server config.
CS2 Weapon & Skins Plugin (!ws)
Weapon skin plugins let players apply custom skins on your CS2 server — but Valve explicitly prohibits them and violations can get your GSLT and Steam account banned. Read the risks before installing.
CS2 Server Location Options
Move your CS2 server to a different datacenter in seconds. Available locations across Europe, North America, and the rest of the world — and what to know about Workshop maps during location transfers.
CS2 High Ping and Packet Loss
Diagnose and fix high ping or packet loss on your CS2 server. Covers how to identify whether the problem is server-side or client-side, check your net_graph, change server region, and escalate to support with traceroutes.
Troubleshoot CS2 Server Performance Issues
Step-by-step guide to diagnosing CS2 server performance problems — high server simulation time, stutters, and crashes. Covers plugin isolation, identifying the scope of the issue, reading server logs, and when to contact support.
How to Set Up a Ban, Mute, and Kick System on Your CS2 Server (CS2-SimpleAdmin)
CS2-SimpleAdmin is the go-to admin punishment plugin for CS2 dedicated servers, giving your admins the ability to ban, kick, mute, and gag players with timed or permanent penalties. Get it installed and configured in minutes.
How to Configure Your CS2 Server (server.cfg)
server.cfg is the main configuration file for your CS2 dedicated server — it controls everything from your server's name and password to round times and network rates. Here's a practical reference covering the cvars that actually matter.
How to Set Up Map Voting (RockTheVote) on Your CS2 Server
Let players vote to change the map mid-round or at round end using the cs2-rockthevote plugin for CounterStrikeSharp.
CS2 Tickrate and the Subtick System Explained
CS2 ditched the classic tickrate model in favor of subtick. Here's what that actually means for your server and your players.
How to Set Up a Deathmatch Server in CS2
Run a dedicated CS2 deathmatch server for aim training or community warmup using the CS2-Deathmatch plugin.
How to Set Up Reserved Slots for Admins and VIPs on Your CS2 Server
Keep slots open for admins and VIP subscribers so they can always get into a full server.
How to Set Up Player Stats and Rankings on Your CS2 Server
Add kill/death tracking and a persistent rank ladder to your CS2 server to keep players coming back.
How to Connect Your CS2 Server to Discord
Relay in-game chat, join/leave events, and round results to a Discord channel so your community stays connected.
How to Keep Your CS2 Server Updated After Valve Patches
Valve patches break plugins. Here's the correct order to update everything and how to stay running while you wait.
How to Fix Your CS2 Server Not Appearing in the Community Browser
If your CS2 server isn't showing up in the community server browser, here are the most common causes and how to fix each one.
How to Set Up a Retakes Server in CS2
Run a CS2 retakes server where CTs practice retaking bomb sites against a planted bomb every round.
CS2 Server Hardware and Resource Requirements
How much CPU, RAM, bandwidth, and disk space does a CS2 server actually need? Here's what to expect by player count.
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