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Survival Guide

Rust

Detailed Rust dedicated server setup, config, admin, mods, backups, and troubleshooting guide.

Order / ManageGet Help

Connect & First Checks

Before editing files

  • Press F1 in Rust and run client.connect IP:PORT.
  • You can also add the IP:PORT to Steam Favorites.
  • If the server is modded, players generally do not need Oxide plugins client-side, but they do need the same game version and any required Workshop/custom content.

Files & Folders

Stop server before edits

server/<identity>/cfg/server.cfgPersistent Rust server variables such as hostname, description, URL, header image, save interval, PvE, RCON, and other startup/config values.
server/<identity>/cfg/users.cfgOwner/moderator entries created by ownerid/moderatorid. Current Rust saves these access changes immediately.
oxide/pluginsuMod/Oxide plugin .cs files. Most load immediately or on server restart.
oxide/config and oxide/dataPlugin configuration and stored plugin data. Back these up before plugin updates.
server/<identity>/*.map, *.sav, player.blueprints, player.identitiesWorld, player, and blueprint data. These are the files involved in wipes.

Common Settings

High-use values

server.hostnameServer name in the browser. Quote values with spaces.
server.descriptionBrowser description. Use escaped newlines only if the template supports them.
server.maxplayersPlayer cap. Should match purchased slots.
server.seed / server.worldsizeMap generation values. Changing either creates a different world on next wipe.
server.saveintervalSeconds between automatic saves. Lower is safer but can add I/O pressure.
server.pveEnables/disables PvE behavior depending on server mode.
rcon.password / rcon.portRemote console access. Keep private and rotate after sharing.

Admin Setup

Staff access

  • In console or server console: ownerid STEAM64 "Name" "reason".
  • Current Rust saves ownerid/moderatorid changes immediately, but you can still check server/<identity>/cfg/users.cfg afterward.
  • Use moderatorid for staff who should not have full owner permissions.
  • Remove with removeowner/removemoderator, then confirm the users.cfg entry changed.

Mods & Plugins

Install carefully

  • Install uMod/Oxide first if the template supports one-click installs.
  • Upload .cs plugin files to oxide/plugins. Watch console for compile errors.
  • Edit plugin config in oxide/config after the plugin creates it, then reload plugin or restart.
  • Keep plugin versions matched to the current Rust/uMod build after monthly Rust updates.

Backups, Wipes, Rollbacks

Protect player data

  • For map wipe only: stop server, back up identity folder, remove map/save files while keeping users.cfg/plugin configs.
  • For full wipe: also remove player blueprint/identity data if you want a complete reset.
  • Before monthly forced wipe, back up the whole identity folder plus oxide.

Troubleshooting

Common tickets

client.connect failsUse game port, not query/RCON port. Check server is fully booted.
Owner commands failWrong Steam64 ID, access entry missing from users.cfg, or player has not reconnected after the role change.
Plugins not loadingCheck oxide/logs and console compile errors. Plugin may be outdated after Rust update.
Server not listedSet server.hostname, ensure ports are reachable, and wait for Steam browser propagation.