A Rust server is configured in two places: the basic settings in the Startup tab of the game panel, and the advanced ones with commands in the server.cfg file. Here is everything you need to get started.
Settings in the Startup tab
| Field | What it does |
|---|---|
| Server Name | the name in the server list, e.g. [EU] Crew Vanilla - Monthly |
| Description | the text under the name: rules, wipe schedule, Discord. Add a new line with \n |
| URL | the website or Discord behind the "Visit Website" button |
| Server Image | the header image in the server list (a link to a file, ideally 512 × 256 px) |
| Server Logo | the round logo in the Rust+ app |
| Level | the map type: Procedural Map (random), Barren, HapisIsland, CraggyIsland |
| World Size | the size of a random map in meters |
| World Seed | the seed of a random map - the same seed and size give the same map |
| Save Interval | how often (in seconds) the server saves the world |
| Modding Framework | vanilla or oxide (uMod plugins) |
Restart the server after a change. Changing the size or seed creates a new map - old buildings disappear. This is done during a wipe.
What map size?
| Players online | Size |
|---|---|
| up to 20 | 2500-3000 |
| 20-50 | 3000-3500 |
| 50-100 | 3500-4250 |
A bigger map means more RAM and a longer generation. On a small server a map that is too big feels empty - players rarely meet.
You can find seeds with a map preview at rustmaps.com: enter the size, browse the maps and copy the seed you like.
The server.cfg file
Extra commands go in server/rust/cfg/server.cfg (the Files tab; create it if it does not exist). Each line is one command run at startup:
server.tags "monthly,vanilla,eu" server.pve false decay.scale 1 server.globalchat true fps.limit 60
server.tags- tags shown in the server browser (wipe frequency, type, region).server.pve true- players cannot hurt each other.decay.scale- how fast unmaintained buildings decay (0disables decay,0.5makes it half as fast).
Console commands
In the Console tab you can run commands live, for example:
say Restart in 5 minutes! server.save status
status lists the players online with their Steam IDs. Changes typed in the console last until a restart. To keep them, add them to server.cfg or run server.writecfg.
Rust+ and plugins
The Rust+ app uses a separate port that we assign automatically. uMod (Oxide) plugins are installed with one click from the plugins tab in the game panel.
Updates
Rust updates every month, on the first Thursday. The server downloads the update by itself on restart. After an update, players without the new game version cannot join, and uMod plugins may need a moment to catch up.
EU server in Helsinki, instant setup after payment, backups and full file access.
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Updated: 2026-09-28