> ## 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. # How to Set Up a Squad Dedicated Server (Getting Started) > How to set up a Squad dedicated server on FREAKHOSTING: set the server name on Startup, start it, wait for the map to load, find it and add admins. To set up a Squad dedicated server on FREAKHOSTING, open your server in the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com), click **Startup**, enter your **Server Name** and check that **Advertise Server** is `true`. Start the server and wait for the console line `Bringing World … up for play`. Players then find it by name in the Squad server browser. Other settings live in `SquadGame/ServerConfig` under **Files**. | Difficulty | Time | Works on | Panel pages | | - | - | - | - | | Beginner | 10 to 15 minutes | Every FREAKHOSTING Squad server | **Startup**, **Files**, **Console** | ## Before you start * Log in to the [Game Panel](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-login-and-access-the-game-panel.md). * Have Squad installed through Steam. * Know your SteamID64 (a 17-digit number that starts with `7656`) if you want to make yourself an admin. ## How Squad works in the Game Panel Squad has no game settings page in the panel. You set the basics on **Startup**, and everything else in the config files in `SquadGame/ServerConfig`, which you edit in **Files**. | What you want to change | Where | | - | - | | Server name, listing, team change rules, reserved slots, demo recording | **Startup** | | Admins | `SquadGame/ServerConfig/Admins.cfg` | | Map (layer) rotation | `SquadGame/ServerConfig/LayerRotation.cfg` and `Server.cfg` | | RCON | `SquadGame/ServerConfig/Rcon.cfg` | | Welcome message and rotating messages | `MOTD.cfg` and `ServerMessages.cfg` | ## How to set up your Squad server **1. Open Startup** Open your server and click **Startup**. The variables here are written into `Server.cfg` each time the server starts. **2. Name your server** Replace the default **Server Name** (`Hosted by FREAKHOSTING.COM`) with your own. It can be up to 80 characters. This is the name players see in the server browser. **3. Check the listing** Make sure **Advertise Server** is `true` so the server reports to the public server list. The true/false variables are text fields: type `true` or `false` in lower case. **4. Set reserved slots (optional)** Enter a number in **Reserved Slots** to keep slots free for admins and players with the `reserve` access level. The default is `0`. **5. Start the server** [Start the server](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-start-stop-and-restart-your-game-server.md) and watch the [console](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-use-the-server-console.md). The server is ready when you see a line like `LogWorld: Bringing World /Al_Basrah/Maps/Gameplay_Layers/AlBasrah_AAS_v1… up for play`. In our test this took about 20 seconds. ![Squad Startup page with Server Name, Advertise Server, Reserved Slots and other variables](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/m3ZOEtGPuZd9DW2_/images/games/squad/squad-startup.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=m3ZOEtGPuZd9DW2_\&q=85\&s=fc6ce24f18026876f9ecd8d4f49bddaa) Squad Startup variables in the FREAKHOSTING Game Panel Your player slots come from your plan. **Query Port** and **Beacon Port** are read-only and already set for you. ## How to join your Squad server Launch Squad, open the server browser and search for your exact **Server Name**. If it doesn't appear, see [server not showing in the browser](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/squad-server-not-showing-in-server-browser.md). ## How to make yourself an admin **1. Stop the server** Stop the server before you edit config files. **2. Edit Admins.cfg** In **Files**, open `SquadGame/ServerConfig/Admins.cfg` and add a line with your SteamID64 and a group, for example `Admin=76561198000000000:Admin // Your name`. **3. Save and start** Save the file and start the server. In game, double-tap the `~` key to open the admin console. Full details, including all access levels, are in [add admins](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/how-to-add-admins-to-your-squad-server.md). ## Make your first backup Once your configs are set up, make a [panel backup](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-create-and-restore-backups.md). The backup includes your `ServerConfig` files, so you can undo a bad edit quickly. ## Frequently asked questions ### Which ports does my Squad server use? Your server has a game port, a query port and a beacon port, all assigned by us. The panel shows them on **Network** and on **Startup** (**Query Port** and **Beacon Port**). You don't need to change them. ### Can I change the number of player slots? Your player slots come from your plan. To get more slots, [open a ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php). ### Where are the Squad server config files? In `SquadGame/ServerConfig/`, in **Files**. The main file is `Server.cfg`; see [Server.cfg explained](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/squad-server-cfg-explained.md). ### Can I install workshop mods? Squad mods use Steam Workshop IDs, and installing them needs a reinstall of the server files. [Open a ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php) and we'll help you add them. ## Related guides > [card] [Squad server guide](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/squad-server-hosting-guide.md) > > Every Squad page in one place. > [card] [Server settings](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/how-to-change-squad-server-settings-in-the-game-panel.md) > > Every Startup variable explained. > [card] [Add admins](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/how-to-add-admins-to-your-squad-server.md) > > Admins.cfg groups and access levels. > [card] [Map rotation](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/how-to-change-the-map-rotation-on-your-squad-server.md) > > Choose layers and voting. > [card] [Not showing in the browser](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/squad-server-not-showing-in-server-browser.md) > > Find your server. *** > [!NOTE] > > **Tested by the FREAKHOSTING team** on our Game Panel on 3 November 2026 (Squad dedicated server v10.6.3). 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:** November 2026 This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.