> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.freakhosting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Set Up Headless Clients in Arma 3

> Drastically improve Arma 3 server performance by offloading AI calculations to separate processes. Learn how to configure and enable Headless Clients (HC).

## Parallel Processing: Headless Clients

Arma 3 is heavily bound by single-core CPU performance. A **Headless Client (HC)** is essentially a transparent player process that connects to the server and takes ownership of AI units. By moving the heavy calculations of AI pathfinding and behavior to a separate CPU core, you free up the main server thread for critical tasks like networking and physics, resulting in a much smoother experience for your players.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Advanced
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Configuration & Authorization

You must first authorize the server to accept connections from local Headless Clients.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open server.cfg">
    In the [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com) File Manager, locate and open your `server.cfg`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add IP Whitelist">
    Add the following lines to allow the HC process (running locally) to connect:

    ```cpp theme={null}
    headlessClients[]={"127.0.0.1"};
    localClient[]={"127.0.0.1"};
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Panel Activation">
    Navigate to the **Headless Client** tab in your Game Panel and click **Enable Headless Client**. The panel will now automatically spawn a secondary process whenever you start your server.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Mission Support Requirements

Simply enabling a Headless Client does not automatically move AI units to it. Your mission file must be specifically designed or modified to offload units.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Built-in Support">
    Popular scenarios like **Antistasi**, **Liberation**, and **KP Liberation** have built-in HC auto-detection. They will automatically transfer AI ownership as soon as they detect an active HC.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Custom Missions">
    For your own scenarios, you must use a script like **Werthles Headless Kit** or place the **Headless Client module** within the Eden Editor to manually transfer unit ownership from the server to the HC.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Important>
  ### HC Connection Delay

  A Headless Client typically connects 30-60 seconds after the main server process has initialized. If your mission initializes its AI immediately upon boot, they may stay on the server until the HC is fully synchronized and takes ownership.
</Important>

***

<Note>
  ### Need Extra Help?

  If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:

  * **Live Chat:** Quick assistance via our website.
  * **Support Ticket:** [Open a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div align="center">
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Arma 3:** Load balanced.
</div>