Rust Server Settings

Rust Server Settings

In order to change the details for your Rust server such as name and description, you will need a config file named server.cfg, you can create this if it does not already exist, which after editing you will upload to the "server/experimental/cfg" folder inside your servers FTP directory.

For instructions on FTP usage, please visit FTP Access.

For a text editing program, we strongly recommend using Notepad++ found here.

Getting Started

When working on your Rust server details, the main file you will be using is server.cfg which you may need to create yourself. Follow these steps to get started and then view the subsections for additional customization.

1. Access your server directory with an FTP editing client.
2. Navigate to the "/server/experimental/cfg" folder.
3. Locate the file "server.cfg". If the server.cfg file is not there, you will need to make a new file and name it server.cfg which can be done on your Desktop.
4. Open "server.cfg" with Notepad++ to make edits.

Server Hostname

The name of your server is going to be the first thing somebody sees when scrolling through the list trying to find one that they think they'd like. If you have a specific type of person you're looking for to populate your server with, you can also incorporate that into your server name, whether it be roleplayers, beginners, or veterans and professional raiders, as well as including information about how often it wipes, gather rate if it's been modified, and quality of life plugins for your userbase.

server.hostname "Rust Example | SurvivalServers"

Server Description

Having a unique description is one way to attract players to your server after the name of it has caught their attention. You can opt to simply state the rules and what plugins are available, or you may decide to throw in something else to catch someone's eye. In either scenario, formatting the descriptions is relatively easy and can be done with Notepad++.

server.description "This is how a sample description will show."

If you wish to add new lines to your descriptions, you will need to use "\n" (minus quotes) to move to a new line.

server.description "This is how a sample description will show.\nRules\n Be polite.\n Be efficient.\n Have a plan to kill everyone you meet.\n&nbps; -The Sniper"

Note: If your server name / description shows up as Amsterdam II, this is a known error and most likely there is an error in your config file.

Server Header / Image

An image for your server header must be 512px by 256px (length x width) dimensions or it will not be shown correctly on the server. However, when viewing the server from within Rust, the header image will appear blurred and slightly stretched. Unfortunately, this is normal behavior.

Example of a server image that is being used:

And how it will look on a Rust server:

Server URL

Adding a URL to your Rust server is a good way to bring newcomers to a gaming group or clan, lead users to your website where you may have VIP options, or to get people talking and making friends in your Discord. It can also be used to promote a Twitch stream or YouTube account for others to enjoy. Adding one is as simple as adding it as with previous entries through the config file, example below. It will appear as a blue clickable button to the left of the Join Server and Refresh options.

server.url "http://www.survivalservers.com"

After your edits are complete, you may upload the server.cfg file through FTP into the "/server/experimental/cfg" directory, replace it if it already exists, but makes sure there's nothing inside of it that is important first. You may do this by transferring it to yourself, and opening it, if there is important info, you may merge the two files together through simple copy and paste using Notepad++ to take the information from both and turn it into one. After it is inside of that directory, you may exit out of your FTP software if you are done, and start/restart your server for these changes to take place.

Server Tags

Tags are additional bits of information that describe Rust servers. Up to three of them will be displayed on the Rust server browser.
For example, if you want the Weekly, Vanilla, and Roleplay tags applied you would use "server.tags weekly,vanilla,roleplay".