> ## 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 2 Server Hosting - Getting Started Guide

> Everything you need to know about Counter-Strike 2 server hosting at Wasabi Hosting - practice servers, workshop maps, plugins, GSLT, and instant setup.

Welcome to Counter-Strike 2 server hosting at Wasabi Hosting! A CS2 dedicated server gives you full control that matchmaking never will: your own practice and scrim environment, community game modes, Steam Workshop maps, and plugin-powered features. This page gives you an overview of what a CS2 server can do and points you to the right guide for each task.

## What You Can Run

| Server Type                  | What It's For                                                                 |
| ---------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Practice / retake server** | Grenade lineups, prefire practice, retake scenarios with teammates            |
| **Scrim / match server**     | Full 5v5 competitive matches with your own rules and no matchmaking queue     |
| **Community server**         | Public deathmatch, arms race, casual, or custom game modes with your branding |
| **Workshop map server**      | Surf, KZ, aim maps, and community creations from the Steam Workshop           |

Game modes are switched with the `game_type` and `game_mode` convars, and maps can come from the official pool or the Workshop — see [Server Configuration](/games/cs2/server-configuration) and [Custom Maps](/games/cs2/custom-maps).

## Plugins: Metamod:Source + CounterStrikeSharp

CS2 has no built-in admin or plugin system, so the community standard is a two-part stack:

* **Metamod:Source** — the low-level plugin loader that hooks into the server.
* **CounterStrikeSharp (CS#)** — a C# scripting framework that runs on top of Metamod and powers most modern CS2 plugins: admin systems, practice tools, retakes, RTV/nominate, and more.

With these installed you can add admin menus, map votes, and gameplay tweaks. See [Admin Commands](/games/cs2/admin-commands) for how admin plugins fit in.

<Warning>
  CS2 plugins hook into game internals, so a Valve update can temporarily break Metamod or CounterStrikeSharp until the projects release fixes. Plan for occasional maintenance if you run a plugin-heavy server.
</Warning>

## Game Server Login Token (GSLT)

To be publicly listed in the community server browser and let players connect reliably, your server needs a free **Game Server Login Token** from Steam:

1. Create it at [https://steamcommunity.com/dev/managegameservers](https://steamcommunity.com/dev/managegameservers) using **App ID 730**.
2. Add it to your server's startup parameters with `+sv_setsteamaccount`.

The full walkthrough is in the [Server Configuration guide](/games/cs2/server-configuration).

## Guides

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Join Your Server" icon="right-to-bracket" href="/games/cs2/join-server">
    Enable the developer console and connect with the connect command.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Server Configuration" icon="gears" href="/games/cs2/server-configuration">
    server.cfg, key convars, game modes, and GSLT setup.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Custom & Workshop Maps" icon="map" href="/games/cs2/custom-maps">
    Host Steam Workshop maps and collections, and set up rotations.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Admin Commands" icon="terminal" href="/games/cs2/admin-commands">
    RCON usage, essential commands, and plugin-based admin systems.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Why Host CS2 at Wasabi Hosting?

CS2 servers run at high tickrates and reward strong single-core CPU performance — exactly what our platform is built around:

* **Top-tier hardware** — AMD Ryzen 7950X3D and 9950X CPUs, DDR5 RAM, and NVMe SSDs for consistent frame times and fast map loads.
* **DDoS protection included** — GCore filtering with 200+ Tbps capacity at no extra cost; public CS2 servers are frequent attack targets.
* **Three locations** — Amsterdam (NL), Frankfurt (DE), and Ashburn (US East) on our own network (AS215370), keeping ping low for EU and NA players.
* **Instant setup** — your server deploys automatically about 2 minutes after payment.
* **Full control** — live console, File Manager, [backups](/server/backups), schedules, startup parameters, [sub-users](/server/sub-users), and SFTP via the [Wasabi Hosting Game Panel](https://panel.wasabihosting.com).
* **Painless upgrades** — upgrade your plan at any time and keep all your files.

<Card title="Get Your CS2 Server" icon="rocket" href="https://wasabihosting.com/game-servers/counter-strike-2">
  Counter-Strike 2 server hosting from **€9.99/month** — online roughly 2 minutes after payment, with DDoS protection and 24/7 support included.
</Card>

## Need Help?

Our team is available around the clock. Open a [support ticket](https://billing.wasabihosting.com/submitticket.php), join our [Discord](https://discord.wasabihosting.com), or email [hello@wasabihosting.com](mailto:hello@wasabihosting.com).