> ## 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.

# DayZ Server Admin Tools & Commands Guide

> Administer your DayZ server hosting - in-game admin commands, ban and whitelist files, BattlEye RCON tools, and Community Online Tools.

DayZ ships with a small set of built-in admin commands, and the community fills the gaps with RCON tools and admin mods. This guide covers the built-in layer first — admin login, kick, lock, shutdown, bans, whitelist — then the tools serious servers actually run day to day.

## Step 1: Set the Admin Password

Built-in admin access is controlled by one line in `serverDZ.cfg`:

```cpp theme={null}
passwordAdmin = "PickSomethingLongAndUnique";
```

Edit the file via the [File Manager](/server/file-management) and restart the server. Anyone with this password has full admin powers — treat it like the keys to the server, and share it only with trusted staff (consider [sub-users](/server/sub-users) for panel access instead of sharing your main account).

## Step 2: Log In and Use Admin Commands In-Game

Admin commands are typed into the normal in-game **chat**, prefixed with `#`.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open chat">
    Press the chat key while connected to your server.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Authenticate">
    ```
    #login YourAdminPassword
    ```

    The server confirms the login in chat.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Administrate">
    Use the commands below. When you're done, log out with `#logout`.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Built-in Command Reference

| Command             | What it does                                                   |
| ------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `#login <password>` | Authenticate as admin                                          |
| `#logout`           | Drop admin rights                                              |
| `#kick <player>`    | Kick a player from the server                                  |
| `#lock`             | Lock the server — no new players can join                      |
| `#unlock`           | Unlock the server                                              |
| `#shutdown`         | Shut the server down (the panel restarts it per your settings) |

<Note>
  The built-in command set is intentionally small — there is no built-in teleport, item spawn, or god mode. For those you want Community Online Tools (below).
</Note>

## Bans and Whitelist

Two plain-text files in the server directory control who can join. Each takes **one identifier per line** (Steam64 ID or the in-game GUID, depending on your server version — check the format your server writes when it bans someone):

* **`ban.txt`** — every ID listed is refused connection.
* **`whitelist.txt`** — when `enableWhitelist = 1` is set in `serverDZ.cfg` (see [Server Configuration](/games/dayz/server-configuration)), *only* the IDs listed may join. Perfect for private community servers.

Edit both through the File Manager and restart (or use RCON tools to ban live). Keep a comment-free, one-ID-per-line format — stray characters can silently break the list.

## BattlEye RCON: Remote Administration

Every DayZ server runs **BattlEye**, which exposes an RCON (remote console) interface. RCON tools connect to it from outside the game and let you and your staff kick, ban, broadcast messages, and monitor players without being logged in — even from a phone or a scheduled task.

Well-known options, described generically:

* **BEC (BattlEye Extended Controls)** — a classic companion tool for scheduled restart warnings, automated broadcast messages, chat filtering, and admin task automation.
* **CFTools Cloud** — a hosted management platform with a web dashboard: live player list, kick/ban with audit trail, scheduled broadcasts, and Discord integration.
* Various desktop RCON clients — lightweight tools for sending manual RCON commands and watching the player list in real time.

RCON connects using the RCON port and password from your BattlEye config (`BEServer_x64.cfg` in the server's `battleye/` folder). Keep that password as secret as `passwordAdmin`.

<Tip>
  The winning combo for most communities: RCON (or CFTools) for moderation and broadcasts, plus Community Online Tools for hands-on in-game work.
</Tip>

## Community Online Tools: The Practical Admin Toolkit

**Community Online Tools (COT)** is the de facto in-game admin mod for DayZ. Once installed, authorized admins get a full UI overlay with:

* **Player management** — heal, spectate, kick, and manage any connected player
* **Teleportation** — teleport yourself or players anywhere on the map
* **Item and vehicle spawning** — spawn any item, weapon, or vehicle for events or testing
* **God mode and invisibility** — moderate without being seen or killed
* **Weather and time control** — set fog, rain, and time of day live

COT is a Steam Workshop mod and requires **CF (Community Framework)**; both go into your `-mod=` parameter, and admins are granted access via COT's permission files. Follow the full workflow in [Installing Mods](/games/dayz/install-mods) — the same steps (upload `@CF` and `@Community-Online-Tools`, copy the `.bikey` files, add to startup parameters) apply.

<Warning>
  Remember that players must run the same mods as the server — adding COT means everyone loads it (it's inert for non-admins). Test on a quiet server first, and take a [backup](/server/backups) before introducing new mods.
</Warning>

## Quick Reference: Which Tool for Which Job?

| Task                                    | Best tool                                                                       |
| --------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Kick a troublemaker right now, in-game  | `#kick` or COT                                                                  |
| Ban permanently                         | `ban.txt` / RCON tool                                                           |
| Restart warnings and scheduled messages | BEC or CFTools Cloud                                                            |
| Teleport, spawn items, run events       | Community Online Tools                                                          |
| Private members-only server             | `whitelist.txt` + `enableWhitelist = 1`                                         |
| Server offline / stuck                  | Console and power controls in the [Game Panel](https://panel.wasabihosting.com) |

<Card title="Run your DayZ community on Wasabi" icon="rocket" href="https://wasabihosting.com/game-servers/dayz">
  DayZ server hosting from **€8.00/month** — full file and startup access for admin tooling, DDoS protection, and 24/7 support.
</Card>