Rust Server Settings Explained: server.cfg and Convars
Rust is configured with convars: named settings that you set in server.cfg, on the startup command line, or live from the console. Put them in server.cfg in server/<identity>/cfg/, one per line without a leading plus sign, and the server reads them on startup. This guide covers the settings most owners change and flags what is native to Rust versus what needs a plugin.
Names were checked against the Facepunch Rust wiki and the Valve Developer Community's Rust Dedicated Server page in November 2026. Defaults are quoted only where a source states them clearly. Open the file on your own server to see current values, because Rust changes between monthly updates.
server.cfglives inserver/<identity>/cfg/. It overrides startup parameters, and the server never edits it for you.- Identity settings:
server.hostname,server.description,server.maxplayers. World settings:server.seed,server.worldsize. - Native gameplay convars include
server.pve,decay.scaleandcraft.instant. Gather rate has no native convar in the lists checked, so servers use plugins for that. - Set a strong
rcon.password; the example password in guides is not meant to be used. - Use the
findconsole command to look up a convar name before guessing.
On this page
Where Rust settings live and how they are applied
There are three ways to set a convar. In server.cfg you write it as server.maxplayers 100. On the command line you write it with a plus sign: +server.maxplayers 100. In the console or over RCON you type it live. Facepunch states that server.cfg overrides command-line values, so if a setting seems to ignore you, check for a second definition.
Some convars only matter at world generation (server.seed, server.worldsize), and some need a restart. Weather chance variables are an exception: Facepunch notes they must be set after the server is running, from the console or RCON.
Server identity settings
| Convar | What it does |
|---|---|
server.hostname | Name shown in the server list. |
server.description | Text shown on the connection screen. Good place for rules and wipe schedule. |
server.url | Optional website link. |
server.headerimage | Optional banner image URL. |
server.maxplayers | Player slots. Facepunch notes higher values need a faster CPU. |
server.identity | Internal name that sets the server folder name. Change it and you start a fresh folder. |
server.tags | Comma-separated tags for the browser, such as weekly or monthly and vanilla, hardcore or softcore. |
server.hostname "My Server | Weekly | 2x"
server.description "Weekly wipes. Be nice."
server.maxplayers 100
server.tags weekly,vanillaWorld settings: seed and world size
server.seedcontrols map generation and takes any value from 0 to 2147483647.server.worldsizeis suggested between 1000 and 6000. Facepunch warns larger maps need more disk space and RAM.server.level "Procedural Map"is the map type shown in Facepunch's launch example.
Changing seed or size has no effect on an existing map. You must wipe the map files first. See Facepunch's wipe timer reference for the related timing convars, and the Rust wipe guide in this section for the file steps.
Gameplay convars
These are native Rust convars confirmed in Facepunch's or Valve's references. They do not need any modding framework.
| Convar | Effect | Notes |
|---|---|---|
server.pve | Turns on PvE mode. | Facepunch's tag page notes it also applies the PvE tag automatically. |
decay.scale | Multiplier for how fast structures decay. | Facepunch lists a default of 1. Lower values slow decay. |
decay.upkeep_period_minutes | How many minutes one upkeep payment lasts. | Facepunch lists a default of 1440. |
craft.instant | Makes crafting instant. | Listed on the Valve wiki as a boolean. |
server.stability | Building stability on or off. | Listed on the Valve wiki. |
server.radiation | Radiation on or off. | Listed on the Valve wiki. |
server.itemdespawn | Seconds before dropped items despawn. | Listed on the Valve wiki. |
server.globalchat | Global chat on or off. | Listed on the Valve wiki. |
Rates, loot and gather: what is vanilla and what is not
Rust has no native convar for gather rate in the Facepunch and Valve references. Servers that advertise 2x or 10x gather normally run a plugin for it, such as GatherManager, which community guides list among popular Oxide plugins. That makes the server modded in practice. Plugins are covered in the Oxide and Carbon guide in this section.
A practical way to think about it: convars Facepunch ships (PvE, decay, stability, instant craft and so on) are server options. Anything that changes rates, loot tables, kits or teleports normally comes from plugins. Pick browser tags that describe your server honestly; the wiki defines vanilla, softcore and hardcore as difficulty tags and modded as a separate one.
Ports and RCON
Facepunch's examples use these ports: game traffic on server.port (28015, UDP), query on server.queryport (UDP, must differ from the game port) and RCON on rcon.port (28016 in the examples, TCP). On a managed host these are normally assigned for you, so do not change them without a reason.
rcon.password "use-a-long-random-password"
rcon.web 1- Facepunch's page says to change the example RCON password. Use a long random one and never share it.
rcon.web 1is the value Facepunch suggests. It enables WebSocket RCON, which most remote tools expect.- Admins are added with
ownerid <steamid>ormoderatorid <steamid>from the console. Facepunch says these save automatically tousers.cfgin the cfg folder, which you should only edit while the server is stopped.
Hosting with ChicagoServers? The Rust server hosting page lists what is included, such as a one-click Oxide/uMod and Carbon installer, free server backups and SFTP file access.
A sensible starter server.cfg
server.hostname "Your Server Name"
server.description "Wipes weekly on Thursday. Rules in Discord."
server.maxplayers 100
server.worldsize 3500
server.seed 123456
server.tags weekly,vanilla
decay.scale 1
rcon.password "change-me-to-something-long"
rcon.web 1Start with these, play a wipe, and change one thing at a time. If you change more than one convar and something breaks, you will not know which change caused it.
Frequently asked questions
Where is server.cfg for a Rust server?
It is in the cfg folder of your server identity folder, at server/<identity>/cfg/server.cfg. Write one convar per line without the plus sign used on the command line.
Does server.cfg override the startup command?
Yes. Facepunch's wiki states the cfg file takes priority over command-line values.
How do I make my Rust server PvE?
Set server.pve in server.cfg and restart. Facepunch's tag documentation notes it also applies the PvE browser tag automatically.
How do I change gather rates on Rust?
There is no native gather-rate convar in the references we checked. Servers normally use an Oxide or Carbon plugin for gather and loot multipliers.