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Modern Plugin Architecture

CounterStrikeSharp (CSS) is the premier server-side framework for Counter-Strike 2, enabling developers to create and execute sophisticated logic using the C# programming language. It has rapidly become the industry standard for community server administration, custom game modes, and technical utilities within the Source 2 engine. By implementing CSS, you unlock a vast ecosystem of community-developed features that extend far beyond the capabilities of the vanilla engine.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Time

10 Minutes

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Technical Prerequisites

Before initializing the installation, ensure your server environment meets the following requirements:
  • Metamod:Source: This serves as the underlying hook for the engine and must be Installed First.
  • Architecture: A FREAKHOSTING CS2 server running on our high-performance Linux clusters.

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Installation & Deployment Workflow

Follow these steps to deploy the CSS framework to your server.
1

Acquire the Framework

Navigate to the official CounterStrikeSharp repository. Download the specific bundle labeled counterstrikesharp-with-runtime-build-xxx-linux.
2

Initialize File Transfer

Log in to the Game Panel and Stop your server. Navigate to the File Manager and enter the /game/csgo/ directory.
3

Upload and Merge Assets

Upload the contents of the downloaded ZIP archive. Ensure the addons folder from the ZIP merges directly with your server’s existing addons directory.
4

Verify Initialization

Start your server. Open the Console tab and execute the command css. If successful, the engine will return the current version information and a registry of available commands.

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Managing Your Plugin Ecosystem

Once the framework is active, you can begin customizing your server’s functionality.
To install a feature, place the compiled .dll files and their dependencies into the /game/csgo/addons/counterstrikesharp/plugins/ directory. Each individual plugin should reside within its own unique subfolder to prevent file conflicts.
CounterStrikeSharp supports dynamic reloading. Most plugins will automatically initialize as soon as they are uploaded to the server, allowing you to update features without requiring a full server restart.

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Developer Resources

Are you interested in creating your own custom logic? We recommend reviewing the CounterStrikeSharp Wiki for detailed API documentation and C# coding standards specifically for the Source 2 environment.

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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: January 2026 | CS2: Framework initialized and ready.