> ## 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. # Squad Dedicated Server Guide: Setup, Config, Admins and Fixes > Squad dedicated server guide for FREAKHOSTING: setup, Startup settings, Server.cfg, admins, RCON, map rotation, admin commands and fixes, all in one place. This Squad dedicated server guide lists every FREAKHOSTING help page for Squad. Your server runs the official Squad dedicated server. You set the basics, such as **Server Name** and **Advertise Server**, on **Startup**, and everything else in the config files in `SquadGame/ServerConfig/`, which you edit in **Files**. New here? Start with [getting started](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/getting-started-with-your-squad-server.md). | Fact | Value | | - | - | | Panel pages | **Startup** for basics, **Files** for config; no separate game settings page | | Config folder | `SquadGame/ServerConfig/` | | Main config file | `Server.cfg` | | Ready line in the console | `LogWorld: Bringing World … up for play` | | Ports | Game, query and beacon ports set for you (see **Network**) | | Player slots | From your plan | | Install size | About 15 GB | ## How your Squad server is set up | What you want to change | Where | Guide | | - | - | - | | Server name, listing, team change rules, reserved slots, demo recording | **Startup** | [Server settings](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/how-to-change-squad-server-settings-in-the-game-panel.md) | | Queue, rotation mode, team-kill bans, timers | `Server.cfg` | [Server.cfg explained](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/squad-server-cfg-explained.md) | | Admins and permissions | `Admins.cfg` | [Add admins](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/how-to-add-admins-to-your-squad-server.md) | | Remote console | `Rcon.cfg` | [Set up RCON](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/how-to-set-up-rcon-on-your-squad-server.md) | | Layers in rotation | `LayerRotation.cfg` | [Map rotation](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/how-to-change-the-map-rotation-on-your-squad-server.md) | | Welcome and rotating messages | `MOTD.cfg`, `ServerMessages.cfg` | [MOTD and messages](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/how-to-set-a-squad-server-motd-and-server-messages.md) | | Banned players | `Bans.cfg` | [Admin commands](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/squad-admin-commands-list.md) | Stop the server before you edit a config file, then start it again so Squad reads the change. Values that have a Startup variable, such as `ServerName`, are written from **Startup** at every start, so change those on **Startup** rather than in `Server.cfg`. ## Most asked 1. [Add admins](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/how-to-add-admins-to-your-squad-server.md): `Admin=:` in `Admins.cfg`. 2. [Admin commands](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/squad-admin-commands-list.md): kick, ban, broadcast and change layer. 3. [Server.cfg explained](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/squad-server-cfg-explained.md): every key and our defaults. 4. [Map rotation](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/how-to-change-the-map-rotation-on-your-squad-server.md): `MapRotationMode` and `LayerRotation.cfg`. 5. [Set up RCON](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/how-to-set-up-rcon-on-your-squad-server.md): RCON is off until you set a password. 6. [Not showing in the browser](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/squad-server-not-showing-in-server-browser.md): **Advertise Server** and the ready line. 7. [Set a password](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/how-to-set-a-password-on-your-squad-server.md): `AdminSetServerPassword`. ## Start here > [card] [Getting started](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/getting-started-with-your-squad-server.md) > > Name, listing, first start and first admin. > [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] [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] [Set up RCON](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/how-to-set-up-rcon-on-your-squad-server.md) > > Rcon.cfg password and port. > [card] [Map rotation](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/how-to-change-the-map-rotation-on-your-squad-server.md) > > Layers, factions and voting. > [card] [MOTD and messages](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/how-to-set-a-squad-server-motd-and-server-messages.md) > > Welcome text and rotating messages. ## Commands and settings > [card] [Server.cfg explained](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/squad-server-cfg-explained.md) > > Every key, default and config file. > [card] [Admin commands](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/squad-admin-commands-list.md) > > Kick, ban, warn, layers and more. ## Guides and tips > [card] [Set a password](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/how-to-set-a-password-on-your-squad-server.md) > > Make your server private. ## Troubleshooting > [card] [Not showing in the browser](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/squad-server-not-showing-in-server-browser.md) > > Get your server listed. > [card] [Server not starting](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/squad-server-not-starting.md) > > Read the log and undo bad edits. ## Frequently asked questions ### Does the Game Panel have a Squad settings page? No. Squad uses **Startup** for the server name, listing, team change rules, reserved slots and demo recording. Everything else is in the `.cfg` files in `SquadGame/ServerConfig/`. ### Can I change the number of player slots? Your player slots come from your plan. For more slots, [open a ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php). ### Can I install Squad 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. ### How do I back up my Squad server? Use [Backups](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-create-and-restore-backups.md) in the Game Panel, or [automatic backups](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-set-up-automatic-backups.md). Back up before you edit config files. ## Related guides > [card] [Start, stop and restart](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-start-stop-and-restart-your-game-server.md) > > Control your server's power. > [card] [File Manager](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-use-the-file-manager.md) > > Edit config files. > [card] [Startup variables](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-configure-startup-variables.md) > > How Startup works. > [card] [Backups](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-create-and-restore-backups.md) > > Make and restore backups. *** > [!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.