> ## 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.

# Rust Server Configuration Guide

> Configure your Rust server hosting instance — hostname, map size and seed, max players, RCON, save interval, and other essential convars explained.

Rust servers are configured through **convars** (console variables). On your Wasabi Hosting server you can set them in two places: the **Startup** tab of the Game Panel (applied as launch parameters) or the `server.cfg` file inside your server identity folder. This guide covers the convars that matter most and where to edit them.

## Where to Edit Configuration

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Startup tab (recommended)">
    In the [Game Panel](https://panel.wasabihosting.com), open your server and go to the **Startup** tab. The most important values (hostname, world size, seed, max players, and more) are exposed as editable variables and passed to the server as launch parameters, for example `+server.worldsize 4500`.

    Values set here always take effect on the next start and are the easiest to manage.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="server.cfg">
    Using the **File Manager** (or SFTP — see [file management](/server/file-management)), navigate to:

    ```
    /server/my_server_identity/cfg/server.cfg
    ```

    The folder name after `/server/` matches your `server.identity` convar (`my_server_identity` is a common default). Add one convar per line **without** a leading `+`:

    ```ini theme={null}
    server.hostname "[EU] My Rust Server | Weekly | 2x"
    server.description "Welcome to my server!\nWipe every Thursday."
    server.maxplayers 100
    decay.scale 0.5
    ```

    If the `cfg` folder doesn't contain a `server.cfg` yet, simply create the file.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Warning>
  Launch parameters set in the **Startup** tab override values in `server.cfg`. Don't define the same convar in both places, or you'll wonder why your `server.cfg` change "isn't working." Never edit `serverauto.cfg` — it is auto-generated and overwritten by the server.
</Warning>

## Essential Convars

| Convar                | Default              | Description                                                                   |
| --------------------- | -------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `server.hostname`     | —                    | Server name shown in the browser. Include rates/wipe schedule for visibility. |
| `server.description`  | —                    | Description shown on the server's info panel. Use `\n` for line breaks.       |
| `server.headerimage`  | —                    | URL to a banner image (512x256 recommended) shown in the server info panel.   |
| `server.url`          | —                    | Website URL players can open from the server info panel.                      |
| `server.maxplayers`   | `50`                 | Maximum concurrent players. Keep it realistic for your plan's resources.      |
| `server.worldsize`    | `4500`               | Procedural map size, `1000`–`6000`.                                           |
| `server.seed`         | random               | Map generation seed. Same seed + same size = same map.                        |
| `server.identity`     | `my_server_identity` | Folder name under `/server/` where map, saves, and player data live.          |
| `server.saveinterval` | `300`                | Seconds between automatic world saves.                                        |
| `decay.scale`         | `1.0`                | Decay speed multiplier. `0` disables decay, `0.5` halves it.                  |

## RCON Settings

RCON lets external tools (like web RCON clients) send commands to your server:

| Convar          | Description                                                                          |
| --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| `rcon.port`     | RCON port, conventionally game port + 1 (e.g. `28016`).                              |
| `rcon.password` | **Set a strong password.** Anyone with it has full control of your server.           |
| `rcon.web 1`    | Enables WebSocket RCON, required by modern tools such as RustAdmin and web consoles. |

<Tip>
  You rarely need RCON for day-to-day admin work — the **Console** tab in the Game Panel gives you a live server console with full command access. Consider locking down the RCON port with the [Firewall Manager](/firewall-manager) if you enable it.
</Tip>

## Map Size and Seed Explained

Rust generates its procedural map from two values: `server.worldsize` and `server.seed`. The same combination always produces the identical map, so you can share or reuse maps you like.

| World size       | Best for                                                              |
| ---------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `1000`–`2000`    | Very small servers, aim training, duo battles                         |
| `3000`–`3500`    | Small communities (up to \~50 players), lower RAM usage               |
| `4500` (default) | Standard full-size map, 100+ players                                  |
| `5000`–`6000`    | Large-population servers; longer generation time and higher RAM usage |

Example configuration for a mid-size map:

```
+server.worldsize 3500 +server.seed 1847520
```

Changing the size or seed only takes effect on a **fresh map** — you must delete the old map files (a map wipe) for a new map to generate. See the [server wipes guide](/games/rust/server-wipes).

<Info>
  Want to preview a map before wiping to it? Community tools like RustMaps let you browse generated maps by seed and size, then copy the values into your Startup tab.
</Info>

## Applying Changes

<Steps>
  <Step title="Edit your values">
    Change convars in the Startup tab or `server.cfg` as described above.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restart the server">
    Restart from the Game Panel. Most convars are read at boot; hostname/description changes appear in the browser after the restart.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify in the console">
    Type a convar name with no value in the panel Console (e.g. `server.worldsize`) to print its current value.
  </Step>
</Steps>

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