> ## 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. # Counter-Strike: Source Server Guide: Setup, SourceMod, Maps and Fixes > Counter-Strike: Source server guide for FREAKHOSTING: setup, Game settings, GSLT, SourceMod and admins, maps, MOTD, skins, surf and war servers, and fixes. This Counter-Strike: Source server guide lists every FREAKHOSTING help page for CS:S. Your server runs the official CS:S dedicated server, checks for game updates at every start and has one game page in the Game Panel: **Game settings** (map, Steam token, name, password, rounds and rules). Metamod:Source and SourceMod are not preinstalled. New here? Start with [getting started](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/getting-started-with-your-counter-strike-source-server.md). | Fact | Value | | - | - | | Panel page | **Game settings** (under **GAME SETTINGS**) | | Main config file | `/cstrike/cfg/server.cfg` | | Default start map | `de_dust2` | | Tickrate | 66 (the console shows `setting tickrate to 66.7`) | | Max players | Set by your plan, read-only in **Startup** | | Steam token (GSLT) | Optional, App ID 240, set in **Game settings** | | SourceMod / Metamod:Source | Not preinstalled; you upload them to `/cstrike` | | Fast downloads | FastDL is already set up for your server | ## Most asked 1. [Custom skins](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/how-to-add-custom-skins.md): player models, what other players can see, and what CS:S doesn't have. 2. [Install SourceMod and Metamod:Source](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/installing-sourcemod-for-css.md): upload, check with `meta list` and `sm version`. 3. [HTML MOTD](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/configuring-motdtxt-html.md): the welcome window in `cfg/motd.txt`. 4. [Missing map errors](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/fixing-missing-map-errors-in-css.md): "Missing map ... disconnecting" and how to fix it. 5. [Surf server](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/setting-up-a-surf-server.md): air acceleration, surf maps and rounds. 6. [Add admins](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/adding-sourcemod-admins-in-css.md): `admins_simple.ini` and admin flags. ## Start here > [card] [Getting started](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/getting-started-with-your-counter-strike-source-server.md) > > Name, password, map, first start and joining. > [card] [Log in to the Game Panel](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-login-and-access-the-game-panel.md) > > Open your server. ## Game Panel guides > [card] [Game settings](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/configuring-css-game-settings.md) > > Every field, presets and checks. > [card] [Steam token (GSLT)](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/setting-a-steam-game-server-token-gslt-for-css.md) > > Create a token for App ID 240 and set it. > [card] [Change the map](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/how-to-change-the-map-on-your-css-server.md) > > Start map, changelevel, map cycle and custom maps. > [card] [Server password](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/setting-a-password-on-your-css-server.md) > > Make the server private. > [card] [FastDL](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/using-fastdl-on-your-css-server.md) > > Fast downloads for maps, models and sounds. ## Guides and tips > [card] [Install SourceMod](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/installing-sourcemod-for-css.md) > > Metamod:Source and SourceMod step by step. > [card] [Add admins](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/adding-sourcemod-admins-in-css.md) > > `admins_simple.ini` and flags. > [card] [Install plugins](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/installing-sourcemod-plugins-in-css.md) > > `.smx` files and plugin commands. > [card] [Custom skins](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/how-to-add-custom-skins.md) > > Player models on your server. > [card] [HTML MOTD](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/configuring-motdtxt-html.md) > > The welcome window. > [card] [Surf server](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/setting-up-a-surf-server.md) > > Air acceleration and surf maps. > [card] [War server](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/cs-source-setting-up-a-css-war-server.md) > > Clan matches and scrims. > [card] [Bots](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/adding-bots-to-your-css-server.md) > > Add, remove and tune bots. ## Commands and settings > [card] [Console commands and cvars](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/css-server-console-commands-and-cvars.md) > > Map, rounds, rcon and `sv_cheats`. > [card] [Tickrate and rates](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/css-tickrate-and-rates-settings.md) > > 66 tick and update rates. > [card] [server.cfg explained](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/css-server-cfg-explained.md) > > What each line does. ## Troubleshooting > [card] [Missing map errors](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/fixing-missing-map-errors-in-css.md) > > "Missing map ... disconnecting". > [card] [Not showing in the list](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/css-server-not-showing-in-server-list.md) > > Find your server or join by IP. ## Frequently asked questions ### Does my CS:S server come with SourceMod? No. Metamod:Source and SourceMod are not preinstalled, and the `/cstrike/addons` folder doesn't exist on a new server. You upload both yourself; see [install SourceMod](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/installing-sourcemod-for-css.md). ### How do I change the number of player slots? **Max Players** comes from your plan and is read-only in **Startup**. Bots also use slots. To get more slots, change your plan in the client area or [open a ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php). ### Does my CS:S server update itself? Yes. Every start runs a SteamCMD update check before the server starts. Restart the server after a game update. ### Where are the server logs? In `/cstrike/logs/`, one `L*.log` file per log session. You can also use **Logs** in the panel; see [read server logs](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-read-server-logs.md). ## Related guides > [card] [Server console](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-use-the-server-console.md) > > Run commands on your server. > [card] [File Manager](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-use-the-file-manager.md) > > Edit and upload files. > [card] [Backups](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-create-and-restore-backups.md) > > Make and restore backups. > [card] [Startup variables](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-configure-startup-variables.md) > > Map, Steam token and Max Players. *** > [!NOTE] > > **Tested by the FREAKHOSTING team** on our Game Panel on 31 October 2026 (Counter-Strike: Source dedicated server). Steps may differ slightly if the game changes. > [!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) > [!TIP] > > ### Save on Your Hosting > > Ready to upgrade your hosting? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first order! *** **Last Updated:** October 2026 This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.