> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.wasabihosting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

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

> Configure your Counter-Strike 1.6 server hosting - server.cfg cvars, round times, money settings, map rotation, and ready-to-use casual and competitive configs.

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](/server/file-management):

| 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 "..."`      | —       | Server name shown in the browser. Make it memorable.                                    |
| `rcon_password "..."` | empty   | Remote admin password. **Set a strong one** — 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.                   |

<Warning>
  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.
</Warning>

## Ready-to-Use Configs

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

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Casual / Public">
    ```cfg theme={null}
    // --- 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
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Competitive / Match">
    ```cfg theme={null}
    // --- 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
    ```

    <Note>
      Competitive rulesets traditionally allow pausing for tactical timeouts (`pausable 1`) and rely on `sv_password` so only the two teams can join.
    </Note>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## 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](/games/cs16/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 theme={null}
<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:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Game Panel (easiest)">
    Save the file, then either **restart** the server from the [Game Panel](https://panel.wasabihosting.com) or type in the panel console:

    ```
    exec server.cfg
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="In-game via RCON">
    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`.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Tip>
  Take a quick [backup](/server/backups) before big config experiments — reverting takes one click.
</Tip>

## Next Steps

Config sorted? Add in-game admin powers and community plugins with [AMX Mod X](/games/cs16/amx-mod-x), or expand your map pool with [Custom Maps](/games/cs16/custom-maps).

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