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This guide takes you from a new Counter-Strike 2 server to playing on it. You add a Steam token so your server is listed, start it, join from CS2 and make a safety backup.

Difficulty

Beginner

Time

15 minutes (plus the first install)

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The first install takes a while

When your server is created, the panel downloads Counter-Strike 2 from Steam. The game is large: about 68 GiB. Until the download finishes:
  • The panel shows This server is currently running its installation process and most actions are unavailable.
  • The Server settings, Frameworks and Plugins pages show Running Installer.
Leave it to finish. You don’t need to do anything. If you want an email when it’s done, switch on Install finished or failed under Alerts.
If the install still hasn’t finished after a few hours, open a ticket and we’ll check it for you.

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Step 1: Create a Game Server Login Token (GSLT)

Valve only lists your server in the server browser if it has a Game Server Login Token. Without one, the server is not listed. Your Steam account must:
  • Not be limited. Steam limits accounts that have never spent at least US$5 in the Steam store.
  • Have a qualifying phone number registered.
  • Not be community banned or locked.
  • Have Counter-Strike 2 in its library.
1

Open the Steam token page

Go to steamcommunity.com/dev/managegameservers and sign in with Steam.
2

Enter the App ID

In App ID, type 730. This is the App ID for Counter-Strike 2. Add a memo, such as “FREAKHOSTING CS2”, so you know which server uses the token.
3

Create and copy the token

Click Create. Copy the Login Token. It is 32 characters long, made of the digits 0–9 and the letters A–F.
Use one token per server, and keep it private. Anyone with your token can run a server in your name. If Valve bans a token, the server using it is no longer listed.

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Step 2: Add the token to your server

1

Open Server settings

Open your server and click Server settings under COUNTER-STRIKE 2 in the sidebar.
2

Paste the token

In the Basics section, paste the token into Game server login token.
Server settings page with a Checks box showing the warning The token does not look right, a Where are these saved link, and a Basics section with Server name, Join password, Player slots and Game server login token fields, plus the first game mode tiles

The Basics section of Server settings

3

Review and save

Click Review and save, check the changes and click Save changes.
The token is saved to the Startup variable Game Server Login Token (GSLT), and the panel passes it to the game at every start. You can also paste it straight into that variable on the Startup page. If the Checks box at the top of Server settings shows The token does not look right, copy the token again from the Steam page. Click Go to the setting to jump to the field.

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Step 3: Start the server

Click Start at the top of the page. Open Console to watch it start. See how to use the console.
Each start checks Steam for a game update first, so a start after a CS2 update takes a little longer.

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Step 4: Connect to your server

Your address is in the Copy address box next to the console, on the Overview page and on your server’s dashboard card. It looks like 203.0.113.10:27015.

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Turn on the developer console in CS2

1

Open the game settings

In Counter-Strike 2, open Settings and then the Game tab.
2

Enable it

Set Enable Developer Console (~) to Yes.
3

Open the console

Press the ~ key (top left, below Esc).

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Connect

Type this in the CS2 console and press Enter:
If your server has a join password:
Replace the address with your own. You can also add the address to your favourites in the Community Server Browser.

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Step 5: Make your first backup

Click Backups in the sidebar, then Create backup. A backup lets you go back if a change or plugin goes wrong. You can also turn on automatic backups.
The Overview page shows a Getting started checklist that tracks starting the server, sharing your address and making your first backup.

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What each Counter-Strike 2 page does

Server configuration

Game mode, map, rules and startup variables.

Frameworks and plugins

Metamod, CounterStrikeSharp and plugins.

Troubleshooting

Not listed, can’t connect and other fixes.

Counter-Strike 2 FAQ

Quick answers to common questions.

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Need Extra Help?

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

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Last Updated: October 2026