How to set up your Rust server: key settings

Most of what you want to change on a Rust server is on one page of the panel.

Open Game Settings

1. Open your server in the panel and click the Settings tab.
2. Click Game Settings.

3. Change a value and click outside the field, or press Enter. The panel saves it. Switches save as soon as you flip them.
4. Restart the server so the change takes effect. See How to start, stop, restart and force-stop your server.

Options most owners change first

• Server Name. The name shown in the public server list, up to 60 characters. No double quotes anywhere, and the name cannot end with a backslash.
• Description. Text shown under the server title, usually rules and info; use \n for a new line. No double quotes anywhere, and it cannot end with a backslash.
• URL. The address opened by the Visit Website button on your server listing.
• Server Image. Header image for the top of your server listing, given as a link.
• Server Logo. The circular logo shown in the Rust+ companion app, given as a link.
• World Size. Size of a procedural map from 1000 to 6000; larger maps take longer to generate and use more memory and disk. Changing it abandons the current map and players start on an empty one, so back up first.
• World Seed. A number from 1 to 2147483647. Left empty, every PlayNHost server generates the same default map, so set your own number for a unique world. Changing it abandons the current map and players start on an empty one, so back up first.
• Custom Map URL. A direct download link to a custom map file; when filled in, World Size and World Seed are not used, the current world is abandoned, and an invalid link makes the server crash. Back up first.
• Level. Leave on Procedural Map unless support tells you otherwise. No double quotes anywhere, and it cannot end with a backslash.
• Save Interval. Seconds between automatic saves (default 60).
• Modding Framework. Choose Vanilla (no mods), Oxide or Carbon; the chosen framework is fetched at server start.
• RCON Password. Required: the server will not start without one. Letters, numbers, dots, dashes and underscores only, up to 64 characters.
• Auto Update. Checks for a Rust update at every start; leave it on unless you are deliberately holding a build.
• Additional Arguments. Extra startup options added after the panel's own; Rust keeps the first value it sees, so repeating something the panel already sets (ports, player limit, world size, seed, identity) has no effect.
• Max Players. Set by your plan and not editable; it cannot be raised through Additional Arguments.

Settings are read when the server starts, so restart after changing them. Changing World Size or World Seed generates a new world on the next start while the old map files stay on disk until you wipe. Back up first, because players start on an empty map; change them as part of a map wipe.

Every option is listed in Rust server settings: every option explained.