How to Configure server.cfg on a Rust Server

Overview

The primary configuration file for dedicated Rust servers is server.cfg. While startup flags configure networking and engine bounds, server.cfg executes console variables (ConVars) every time the server boots or restarts.

In DustBowl Warden, the file is located at:

/server/<server-identity>/cfg/server.cfg

If the file does not yet exist, create it inside the /server/<server-identity>/cfg/ directory using the Warden File Manager.

---

Recommended Production server.cfg Template

Below is an optimized production configuration suitable for vanilla and lightly modded community servers:

# ── Identity & Public Presentation ──
server.hostname "DustBowl Rust | Vanilla 2x | Bi-Weekly Wipes"
server.description "Welcome to DustBowl Rust dedicated server.\n\n• Bi-weekly map wipes on Thursdays.\n• Monthly blueprint wipes with Facepunch forced updates.\n• Active non-playing staff and DDoS protection.\n• Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/dustbowl"
server.headerimage "https://assets.dustbowl.games/servers/rust-banner.jpg"
server.url "https://dustbowl.games"
server.tags "vanilla,monthly,eu"

# ── Player Capacity & Queue ──
server.maxplayers 150
server.radiation 1
server.secure 1
server.antihack 1

# ── Stability & Physics Simulation ──
server.stability 1
server.radiation 1
server.globalchat 1
server.pve 0

# ── Tickrates & Network Tuning ──
server.tickrate 30
fps.limit 60
net.visdebug 0

# ── Persistence & Auto-Save Frequency ──
server.saveinterval 300
server.events 1

# ── Decay Multipliers ──
decay.scale 1.0
decay.upkeep true

# ── Chat & Voice Configuration ──
chat.serverlog 1
chat.enabled 1
voice.voice3d 1

---

Key ConVars Explained

Identity Directives

• server.hostname: The title displayed in the public server browser list. Keep it under 64 characters to avoid truncation.
• server.description: The text block displayed when players highlight your server in the list. Use \n to insert line breaks.
• server.headerimage: A 1024x512 JPG or PNG image URL displayed in the server loading banner. Must be an HTTPS direct image link.
• server.url: External web address linked in the server info modal.

Simulation and Performance

• server.tickrate: Server simulation frequency in Hertz. Vanilla default is 30. Avoid exceeding 30 on high-pop servers as it drastically increases CPU requirements.
• fps.limit: Upper frame rate boundary for the dedicated server executable. Recommended value is 60 or 100.
• server.saveinterval: Frequency in seconds between world map saves. A setting of 300 (5 minutes) limits progress loss in unexpected crashes while keeping disk IO spikes manageable.

Decay and Upkeep

• decay.scale: Overall structure decay multiplier. Setting this to 0.5 cuts decay damage in half; 0 disables decay completely.
• decay.upkeep: When set to true, tool cupboards consume resources to prevent decay. When false, bases do not consume upkeep materials.

---

Applying server.cfg Changes

Commands inside server.cfg execute automatically on boot. To apply changes to a running server without restarting:

1. Connect to your server console via DustBowl Warden or RCON.
2. Execute:

server.readcfg

3. To persist runtime changes back to disk, run:

server.writecfg

---

Next Steps

• Set up administrator roles in Rust Admin Commands, Permissions, and Moderator Setup.
• Plan your wipe cycles in How to Manage Rust Server Wipes and Automation.