> ## 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 Install Custom Workshop Maps in Unturned

> Expand your world beyond vanilla territories. Learn how to deploy massive community maps like Arid, Elver, and Polaris on your Unturned dedicated server.

## Expanding Your Survival Horizon

Unturned possesses one of the most prolific and technically creative map-making communities within the Steam ecosystem. Transitioning your server from vanilla maps like PEI or Washington to a massive community project - such as **Arid**, **Elver**, or **Buak** - significantly enhances the gameplay depth and variety for your community. To successfully deploy a custom map, you must follow a coordinated technical sequence: authorizing the automated download via the Steam Workshop API and then defining the specific map identity within your server configuration.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    8 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Step 1: Technical Asset Identification

Before initializing the configuration, you must retrieve two critical identifiers from the Steam Workshop portal.

* **Workshop ID:** The 10-digit numeric string found at the conclusion of the browser URL (e.g., `2683620106` for the Arid map).
* **Internal Map Identity:** This is the technical folder name defined by the creator (often located in the mod's description). It may differ from the public Workshop title (e.g., "Arid Extended" is frequently identified simply as **`Arid`** internally).

***

## Step 2: Authorizing the Download

Follow these steps to instruct your FREAKHOSTING instance to retrieve the map data from the global Steam network.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Configuration">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **Files** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Download Registry">
    Open the following file: `/Servers/Default/WorkshopDownloadConfig.json`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Register the File ID">
    Insert your map's numeric ID into the `File_IDs` array. Ensure you maintain the correct comma placement if adding multiple assets.

    ```json theme={null}
    {
      "File_IDs": [
        2683620106
      ],
      "Max_Query_Retries": 2
    }
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Retrieval">
    **Restart** your server. Monitor the **Console** tab; the engine will programmatically download and mount the map assets during the boot sequence.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 3: Setting the Active World

Once the files reside within the server's cache, you must explicitly tell the engine to initialize that specific world.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Commands.dat">
    Navigate to `/Servers/Default/Server/Commands.dat` within the File Manager.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define the Map">
    Update or add the `map` command followed by the **Internal Map Identity** identified in Step 1.

    ```txt theme={null}
    map Arid
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy & Verify">
    Restart the server once more. A successful deployment will show the new map name in the server browser and display the correct loading assets upon joining.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Important>
  ### Strict Case Sensitivity

  The Unturned `map` command is rigorously case-sensitive. If the internal map directory is named `Elver` and you input `map elver` (lowercase), the engine will fail to locate the world data and default to the vanilla **PEI** map to prevent a startup crash. Always double-check the creator's exact spelling.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div align="center">
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Unturned:** World expansion complete.
</div>