Counter-Strike 1.6 Server Configuration (server.cfg) Guide

Almost everything about how your Counter-Strike 1.6 server plays is controlled by one file: server.cfg. This guide explains the settings that matter, how to set up your map rotation and MOTD, and gives you two ready-to-use configs: one for casual public play, one for competitive matches.

Where the Files Live

All configuration lives in the cstrike/ folder, which you can edit with the Game Panel’s File Manager or SFTP:

File	Purpose
`cstrike/server.cfg`	Main server settings, executed on every map change
`cstrike/mapcycle.txt`	Map rotation, one map name per line
`cstrike/motd.txt`	Message of the day shown to players on join
`cstrike/listip.cfg` / `banned.cfg`	IP and SteamID ban lists (managed by the server)

Essential server.cfg Settings

Cvar	Default	What it does
`hostname "..."`	None	Server name shown in the browser. Make it memorable.
`rcon_password "..."`	empty	Remote admin password. Set a strong one, since anyone with it fully controls the server.
`sv_password "..."`	empty	Join password. Leave empty for a public server.
`mp_timelimit`	`0`	Map time limit in minutes. `0` = no limit (map changes by rounds/votes only).
`mp_roundtime`	`5`	Round length in minutes (allowed range `1`–`9`).
`mp_freezetime`	`6`	Seconds players are frozen at round start to buy.
`mp_friendlyfire`	`0`	`1` enables team damage.
`mp_autoteambalance`	`1`	Automatically moves players to even out teams.
`mp_limitteams`	`2`	Max player difference allowed between teams. `0` disables the limit.
`mp_startmoney`	`800`	Starting money, `800`–`16000`.
`mp_buytime`	`1.5`	Buy period length in minutes (e.g. `0.25` = 15 seconds).
`mp_c4timer`	`45`	Seconds until the planted C4 detonates.
`sv_alltalk`	`0`	`1` lets both teams (and the dead) hear each other’s voice chat.
`sv_gravity`	`800`	World gravity. Lower = moon jumps; fun for fun servers.
`pausable`	`1`	Set to `0` so players can’t freeze the server with the pause command.

Always set rcon_password to something long and unique, and set pausable 0. These two lines are the difference between your server and everyone’s server.

Ready-to-Use Configs

Open cstrike/server.cfg in the File Manager and use one of these as a starting point:

Casual / Public
Competitive / Match

// --- Identity ---
hostname "My CS 1.6 Server | Dust2 24/7"
rcon_password "ChangeMeToSomethingLong"
sv_password ""

// --- Rounds & time ---
mp_timelimit 25
mp_roundtime 5
mp_freezetime 3
mp_c4timer 45

// --- Teams ---
mp_friendlyfire 0
mp_autoteambalance 1
mp_limitteams 2

// --- Economy ---
mp_startmoney 1500
mp_buytime 1.5

// --- Misc ---
sv_alltalk 1
sv_gravity 800
pausable 0

// --- Identity ---
hostname "My CS 1.6 Match Server"
rcon_password "ChangeMeToSomethingLong"
sv_password "matchpass"

// --- Rounds & time ---
mp_timelimit 0
mp_roundtime 1.75
mp_freezetime 10
mp_c4timer 35

// --- Teams ---
mp_friendlyfire 1
mp_autoteambalance 0
mp_limitteams 0

// --- Economy ---
mp_startmoney 800
mp_buytime 0.25

// --- Misc ---
sv_alltalk 0
sv_gravity 800
pausable 1

Competitive rulesets traditionally allow pausing for tactical timeouts (pausable 1) and rely on sv_password so only the two teams can join.

Map Rotation (mapcycle.txt)

cstrike/mapcycle.txt controls which map loads when mp_timelimit runs out or the max rounds are reached. One map name per line, without the .bsp extension:

de_dust2
de_inferno
de_nuke
cs_assault
de_train

Every map listed must exist in cstrike/maps/. Want to run maps that didn’t ship with the game? See Custom Maps.

Message of the Day (motd.txt)

cstrike/motd.txt is shown to every player when they join. It accepts basic HTML, so you can style it or link your community’s rules and Discord:

<html>
<body bgcolor="#000000" text="#ffffff">
  <h2>Welcome to My CS 1.6 Server!</h2>
  <p>No cheating. No mic spam. Have fun.</p>
</body>
</html>

Applying Changes

server.cfg is executed automatically on every map change, so your settings persist. To apply edits:

Game Panel (easiest)
In-game via RCON

Save the file, then either restart the server from the Game Panel or type in the panel console:

exec server.cfg

From your own game console, authenticate and re-execute the config without leaving the match:

rcon_password "YourRconPassword"
rcon exec server.cfg

You can also change single cvars on the fly, e.g. rcon mp_startmoney 16000.

Take a quick backup before big config experiments, since reverting takes one click.

Next Steps

Config sorted? Add in-game admin powers and community plugins with AMX Mod X, or expand your map pool with Custom Maps.

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