> ## 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.

# Install Rust Plugins with Oxide/uMod or Carbon

> Add plugins to your Rust server hosting instance — install the Oxide (uMod) or Carbon framework, upload plugins, manage configs, and grant permissions.

Plugins are what turn a vanilla Rust server into a 2x server with kits, teleports, and admin tools. To run plugins you first need a modding framework — **Oxide** (distributed via uMod) or **Carbon** — and then you simply drop plugin files into a folder. This guide covers the full workflow on your Wasabi Hosting server.

<Warning>
  Installing a modding framework moves your server from the **Community** tab to the **Modded** tab of the in-game server browser, even if you don't change any gameplay values.
</Warning>

## Oxide vs. Carbon

|               | Oxide (uMod)                                      | Carbon                                    |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- |
| Maturity      | The long-standing standard, huge plugin ecosystem | Newer, actively developed                 |
| Plugin source | [https://umod.org](https://umod.org)              | Oxide-compatible — runs most uMod plugins |
| Performance   | Solid                                             | Optimized, lower overhead on busy servers |
| Plugin folder | `oxide/plugins`                                   | `carbon/plugins`                          |

If you're unsure, start with **Oxide** — nearly every guide and plugin assumes it. The rest of this page uses Oxide paths; Carbon works the same way with `carbon/` folders.

## Installing Oxide

<Steps>
  <Step title="Check for a built-in installer">
    In the [Game Panel](https://panel.wasabihosting.com), check your server's settings/Startup for a modding framework option (Vanilla / Oxide / Carbon switcher). If available, select **Oxide** and restart — that's the whole installation.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Manual install (if needed)">
    Stop your server, then download the latest **Oxide.Rust** build for Linux from the official [OxideMod GitHub releases](https://github.com/OxideMod/Oxide.Rust/releases). Upload the archive's contents to your server's root directory via the File Manager or SFTP (see [file management](/server/file-management)), overwriting existing files when prompted.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start and verify">
    Start the server. In the panel Console, run:

    ```
    oxide.version
    ```

    If it prints a version number, Oxide is installed. The `oxide/` folder structure is created automatically on first boot.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  **Oxide must be updated after every Rust update.** Server updates overwrite Oxide's patched files, so after each update (including the monthly forced wipe) reinstall/update Oxide before starting the server — otherwise it boots as vanilla and your plugins won't load.
</Warning>

## Installing Plugins

<Steps>
  <Step title="Download the plugin">
    Get the plugin's `.cs` file from [https://umod.org](https://umod.org) or another trusted source. Only install plugins from sources you trust — plugins run with full server access.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload to oxide/plugins">
    Using the File Manager or SFTP, upload the `.cs` file to:

    ```
    /oxide/plugins/
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Let it load">
    Oxide hot-loads plugins — no restart needed. Watch the panel Console for a load confirmation or compile errors.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure it">
    On first load, the plugin generates a JSON config at `/oxide/config/PluginName.json`. Edit it, save, then reload the plugin:

    ```
    oxide.reload PluginName
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Managing Permissions

Most plugins gate features behind Oxide permissions. Run these in the panel Console:

```
oxide.grant user "PlayerNameOrSteamID" kits.use
oxide.grant group default kits.use
oxide.revoke user "PlayerNameOrSteamID" kits.use
oxide.group add vip
oxide.usergroup add "PlayerNameOrSteamID" vip
oxide.show perms
```

Each plugin's uMod page documents its permission names. Granting to the `default` group applies to all players; the `admin` group applies to server admins.

## Popular Plugins

| Plugin             | What it does                                 |
| ------------------ | -------------------------------------------- |
| **Gather Manager** | Multiply gather rates (2x, 5x, etc.)         |
| **Kits**           | Starter/VIP item kits with cooldowns         |
| **Vanish**         | Invisibility for admins                      |
| **Admin Radar**    | ESP-style overlay for catching cheaters      |
| **Backpacks**      | Extra portable inventory space               |
| **Better Loot**    | Customize loot tables and container contents |

## Keeping Plugins Updated

* After the **monthly forced wipe**, Rust's internals often change and plugins can break. Update Oxide first, then update any plugins that error in the console.
* Remove or update broken plugins promptly — a failing plugin spams errors and can degrade server performance.
* Back up your `oxide/` folder (configs, data, permissions) before major changes — see [backups](/server/backups).

Related reading: [admin commands](/games/rust/admin-commands) for vanilla admin setup, and [server wipes](/games/rust/server-wipes) for what survives a wipe (plugin data does, unless you delete it).

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  Plugins love fast single-core performance. Wasabi Rust hosting starts at €9.99/month on Ryzen X3D CPUs with NVMe storage.
</Card>