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On a FREAKHOSTING Rust server you change the usual settings on Server settings under RUST in the Game Panel. Each field is tagged Startup (a Startup variable passed on the command line) or server.cfg (a line in /server/rust/cfg/server.cfg). Click Review and save, check the changes and restart. The panel creates server.cfg the first time you save a setting that lives in it.

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How to change a Rust server setting

1

Open Server settings

In the Game Panel, open your server and click Server settings under RUST.
2

Look at Checks

The Checks card lists things to fix, such as “The RCON password is a well-known default” or “Your server still has the default name”. Click Go to the setting to jump to the field.
3

Change the fields

Edit the fields you want. The tag next to each field shows where it is saved.
4

Review and save

Click Review and save. The dialog shows exactly what changes under Startup variables and server.cfg. Click Save changes. The old file is kept as server.cfg.bak.
5

Restart

Restart the server. Changes apply on the next start.
Rust Server settings page with Checks card, Your server fields and Startup and server.cfg tags

Server settings for Rust in the FREAKHOSTING Game Panel

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Your server

More detail: description, header image and logo.

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World and players

See map seed and size and custom maps.

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Gameplay (server.cfg)

Facepunch lists the allowed server browser tags: one wipe tag (monthly, biweekly, weekly), one difficulty tag (vanilla, hardcore, softcore), a region (NA, SA, EU, WA, EA, OC, AF) and others such as pve, roleplay or creative. Up to four tags show in the browser. Don’t set two tags from the same group.

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Security and plugins

Set your own RCON password on every new server. Rust turns RCON off while the password is the well-known default, and the panel console, commands, Stop and Staff and bans all need RCON. See getting started.

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What are server.cfg and serverauto.cfg?

Rust reads two files from /server/rust/cfg/:
  • serverauto.cfg is written by the game itself when it stops or when someone runs server.writecfg. It also holds server.headerimage.
  • server.cfg is your file. The game reads it after serverauto.cfg, so a line in server.cfg wins. When server.cfg has no line for a setting, the value in serverauto.cfg stays.
Facepunch’s Creating a server page notes that values in server.cfg override command-line settings, and that convars in the file are written without the + prefix:
To add a setting the module doesn’t show, open server.cfg in the File Manager (the page links to it under Advanced), add one convar per line and restart.

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Frequently asked questions

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Where is server.cfg on a Rust server?

In /server/rust/cfg/server.cfg. It doesn’t exist on a new server; the panel creates it the first time you save a setting tagged server.cfg.

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Why did my server.cfg change not apply?

Rust reads server.cfg when it starts, so restart after saving. Also check the setting isn’t one tagged Startup: those are Startup variables, not server.cfg lines.

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Why does the panel say “The map seed is not fixed”?

With Map seed at 0 the server uses the random seed written at install, so your map stays the same until you wipe. Enter that number (shown on the Wipe page) to fix it for good.

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What does the website warning mean?

The Website field starts with an example address. Put in your own site or Discord invite, or clear it.

Rust server guide

Every Rust page in one place.

Map seed and size

Pick your map.

Description and header image

Your server page in the list.

RCON tools

RustAdmin and WebRCON.

Startup variables

How Startup variables work.
Tested by the FREAKHOSTING team on our Game Panel on 31 October 2026 (Rust dedicated server, Server settings module). Steps may differ slightly if the game changes.

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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