CS 1.6 HLDS Startup Script Generator

Generate a Windows .bat or Linux .sh startup script for your CS 1.6 HLDS dedicated server — with auto-restart loop, pingboost, and optional SteamCMD auto-update.

Script Settings

Directory where HLDS is installed (must contain hlds.exe / hlds_run)

Blank = bind to all interfaces

20

2 = recommended for most Linux servers

3072

Default 3072. Increase for servers with many entities (plugins, bots).

Generated Script

Save as start_server.sh — then run: chmod +x start_server.sh

#!/bin/bash
# CS 1.6 HLDS Startup Script — Linux
# Generated by DustBowl.Games Tools
# Make executable: chmod +x start_server.sh

HLDS_DIR="/home/user/hlds"

# ── Auto-restart loop ──
while true; do
    echo "Starting CS 1.6 HLDS..."
    "$HLDS_DIR/hlds_run" -game cstrike -console +port 27015 +maxplayers 20 +map de_dust2 -pingboost 2 -num_edicts 3072 +log on +sv_lan 0
    echo "Server exited. Restarting in 5 seconds..."
    sleep 5
done

HLDS Launch Flag Reference

Flag Description
-game cstrike Run the Counter-Strike 1.6 mod (required).
-console Start in console/headless mode (no GUI window — required for servers).
+ip X.X.X.X Bind server to a specific IP. Omit to bind all interfaces.
+port XXXXX UDP port to listen on (default 27015).
+maxplayers N Slot count visible in server browser and enforced in-game.
+map mapname Starting map when server launches.
-pingboost N Linux only: 0=off, 1=low, 2=medium, 3=high. Value 2 recommended.
-num_edicts N Entity limit. Default 900; increase to 3072+ for plugin-heavy servers.
+log on Enable server-side logging to logs/ directory.
-norestart Do not restart after a crash (useful if you have an external restart loop).
+sv_lan 0 Internet server mode (disabling LAN mode). Enables VAC.
-noipx Disable IPX networking (not needed on modern systems, reduces overhead).
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