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Game servers

Rust server quickstart

Use this guide after your Rust service appears in the game panel. Your game downloads and map generation must finish before players can join; the panel appearing does not mean the world is ready.

1. Check the startup settings

With the server stopped, open Startup. The Rust settings available here include Server Name, Description, World Size, World Seed, Max Players and RCON Password.

  • Start with the supplied map settings and a player limit appropriate to your plan. A high limit does not provide additional RAM or CPU.
  • Set a private RCON password. RCON grants administrative control; it is not a password for ordinary players to join.
  • Leave Query Port, RCON Port and App Port at their assigned values. Ask support if you need to check an allocation.
  • Keep Modding Framework on vanilla for your first connection test. The available oxide and carbon choices are separate frameworks; ask us about the installation steps before switching an existing world.

2. Start and connect

Press Start and watch Console. For Rust, the readiness message is Server startup complete. Map creation can take several minutes.

In the Rust client, press F1 and enter:

connect YOUR_SERVER_ADDRESS:YOUR_GAME_PORT

Replace both placeholders with the address and primary game port from your panel. Do not use the query or RCON port. Direct joining is useful even while a server listing is still updating. Facepunch documents the startup and connection process.

3. Configuration and administrator access

Our startup configuration uses the server identity rust, so its configuration folder is server/rust/cfg/ under Files. An optional server.cfg in that folder can override matching startup settings; keep a single source for each setting to avoid confusion.

For an administrator, verify the player’s SteamID64 and follow Facepunch’s administrator instructions. Give administrative access only to trusted people. Ordinary players do not need it.

4. Protect the world before changes

Use Stop and wait for shutdown before downloading the server/rust/ folder or changing the seed, map or framework. Keep your own copy before any planned wipe. A map change is not a safe way to repair an unexplained startup failure.

If joining fails, send a support ticket with your server name, connection error and relevant console lines. Remove passwords before sharing logs. Include whether you are using vanilla, Oxide or Carbon.