How to Add Admins on a CS2 Server with an Admin Plugin

To add an admin on a Counter-Strike 2 server, install CounterStrikeSharp on the Frameworks page, then add the player’s SteamID64 and admin flags to game/csgo/addons/counterstrikesharp/configs/admins.json. Type css_admins_reload in the Console to load the change. CS2 has no built-in admin system, so admin plugins such as CS2-SimpleAdmin and MatchZy read the admins from this file.

Difficulty	Time	Works on	Panel pages
Beginner	10 minutes	CS2 with CounterStrikeSharp	Frameworks, Files, Console

Before you start

Install CounterStrikeSharp on the Frameworks page and restart the server. See how to install CounterStrikeSharp.
Find the SteamID64 of each admin. It is a 17-digit number that starts with 7656119. Paste the player’s Steam profile address into a SteamID finder website to get it.

Which kind of admin do you need?

Three kinds of access are easy to mix up:

Access	What it controls	How to give it
In-game admin	Kick, ban, change the map and similar from inside the game.	`admins.json` (this guide) and an admin plugin.
Game Panel sub-user	The panel: console, files, restarts.	Add a sub-user.
RCON	The server console from a remote administration tool. It does not work from inside the game.	RCON password in Server settings > Advanced.

How to add an admin in admins.json

Open the file

In the Game Panel, click Files and go to game/csgo/addons/counterstrikesharp/configs/. Open admins.json. If it isn’t there, click New file, then Create File, and name it admins.json. See how to use the file manager.

Add your admins

Each admin gets a unique name, the SteamID64 in identity, and a list of flags:

{
  "Owner": {
    "identity": "76561198000000000",
    "flags": ["@css/root"]
  },
  "Moderator": {
    "identity": "76561198000000001",
    "flags": ["@css/generic", "@css/kick", "@css/chat"]
  }
}

Save the file

Put a comma between entries, but not after the last one. One missing comma or quote stops the whole file from loading.

Reload the admins

Type this in the Console, or restart the server:

css_admins_reload

The admin can now use the commands of your admin plugins. CounterStrikeSharp commands also work in chat with ! or / instead of css_, for example !admin for css_admin.

What do the CS2 admin flags mean?

A flag is a permission. Give each admin only the flags they need.

Flag	Allows
`@css/reservation`	Reserved slot access.
`@css/generic`	Generic admin.
`@css/kick`	Kick other players.
`@css/ban`	Ban other players.
`@css/unban`	Remove bans.
`@css/vip`	General VIP status.
`@css/slay`	Slay or harm other players.
`@css/changemap`	Change the map or major game play features.
`@css/cvar`	Change most cvars (server settings).
`@css/config`	Run config files.
`@css/chat`	Special chat privileges.
`@css/vote`	Start or create votes.
`@css/password`	Set a password on the server.
`@css/rcon`	Use RCON commands.
`@css/cheats`	Change `sv_cheats` or use cheat commands.
`@css/root`	Every flag, and ignores immunity. Only give it to people you trust completely.

The full list is in the CounterStrikeSharp admin documentation. Some plugins add their own flags, for example MatchZy’s @custom/prac.

Which CS2 admin plugin should I use?

admins.json only says who is an admin. The commands come from plugins:

Plugin	What it adds	Guide
CS2-SimpleAdmin	Admin menu, kick, ban, mute, gag, warn, map change.	Install CS2-SimpleAdmin
MatchZy	Match admin commands such as `.start` and `.restart`.	MatchZy guide

Upload plugins with the file manager. See how to install CS2 plugins.

CS2-SimpleAdmin can also keep admins in its own database, added with css_addadmin. Those admins are reloaded with SimpleAdmin’s own command, css_reloadadmins. Admins in admins.json use css_admins_reload.

Frequently asked questions

Why doesn’t my admin work after I edited admins.json?

The file is most likely not valid JSON, or the SteamID64 is wrong. Paste the file into a JSON checker, make sure identity is the 17-digit number, then type css_admins_reload.

Does CS2 have a built-in admin system?

No. Without CounterStrikeSharp and an admin plugin, you control the server from the panel Console or with RCON.

Can I use STEAM_0 IDs instead of SteamID64?

The CounterStrikeSharp documentation shows both formats in identity, for example STEAM_0:1:1. The SteamID64 is the safest choice because every tool shows it.

How do I remove an admin?

Delete their entry from admins.json, save, and type css_admins_reload. If they were added with CS2-SimpleAdmin, also remove them with css_deladmin <steamid>.

Is a sub-user an in-game admin?

No. A sub-user can only use the Game Panel. Add the same person to admins.json if they also need in-game commands.

CS2 server guide

Every Counter-Strike 2 guide in one place.

Install CS2-SimpleAdmin

Admin menu, bans, mutes and warnings.

Install CounterStrikeSharp

The framework your admin plugins need.

CS2 server commands

Console commands for running your server.

Manage sub-users

Give someone access to the Game Panel.

Reviewed by the FREAKHOSTING team on 29 October 2026. Game Panel steps were checked on our panel (Counter-Strike 2 with CounterStrikeSharp 1.0.378); game and plugin details follow their official documentation. Steps may differ slightly if the game or its plugins change.

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Last Updated: October 2026

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How to Add Admins on a CS2 Server with an Admin Plugin

Before you start

Which kind of admin do you need?

How to add an admin in admins.json

What do the CS2 admin flags mean?

Which CS2 admin plugin should I use?

Frequently asked questions

Why doesn’t my admin work after I edited admins.json?

Does CS2 have a built-in admin system?

Can I use STEAM_0 IDs instead of SteamID64?

How do I remove an admin?

Is a sub-user an in-game admin?

CS2 server guide

Install CS2-SimpleAdmin

Install CounterStrikeSharp

CS2 server commands

Manage sub-users

Need Extra Help?

Save on Your Hosting

​Before you start

​Which kind of admin do you need?

​How to add an admin in admins.json

​What do the CS2 admin flags mean?

​Which CS2 admin plugin should I use?

​Frequently asked questions

​Why doesn’t my admin work after I edited admins.json?

​Does CS2 have a built-in admin system?

​Can I use STEAM_0 IDs instead of SteamID64?

​How do I remove an admin?

​Is a sub-user an in-game admin?

​Related guides

CS2 server guide

Install CS2-SimpleAdmin

Install CounterStrikeSharp

CS2 server commands

Manage sub-users

​Need Extra Help?

​Save on Your Hosting

Before you start

Which kind of admin do you need?

How to add an admin in admins.json

What do the CS2 admin flags mean?

Which CS2 admin plugin should I use?

Frequently asked questions

Why doesn’t my admin work after I edited admins.json?

Does CS2 have a built-in admin system?

Can I use STEAM_0 IDs instead of SteamID64?

How do I remove an admin?

Is a sub-user an in-game admin?

Related guides

Need Extra Help?

Save on Your Hosting