Installing Oxide and uMod plugins on a Rust server

Plugins are what sets your Rust server apart from every other server. With Oxide (uMod) or Carbon you install plugins that add teleporting, clan systems, kits, custom gather rates and dozens of other features. In this article we walk you through the full process: from installing the framework to setting up permissions per player.

Oxide vs Carbon: which to choose?

Both frameworks run the same plugins. Carbon is the recommended choice for new servers due to its better performance. If you have an existing Oxide server, you can switch without issues: copy your plugins and configuration to the Carbon folders.

Installing Oxide

1. Download the latest Oxide release from umod.org.
2. Stop your Rust server.
3. Extract the archive into the root folder of your server. The files overwrite a number of default files.
4. Start the server again. Oxide generates the folders oxide/plugins/, oxide/config/ and oxide/data/ on first start.

At HostValues, Oxide is available as an installable option through the game panel. Select "Oxide" when setting up your server or install it afterwards through the version manager.

Installing Carbon

1. Download Carbon from the official website or through the game panel.
2. Stop the server.
3. Extract the archive into the server folder.
4. Start the server. Carbon creates the same folder structure as Oxide.

Downloading and installing plugins

1. Visit umod.org/plugins and search for the desired plugin.
2. Download the .cs file.
3. Upload the file to oxide/plugins/ (or carbon/plugins/) via the game panel or SFTP.
4. The plugin is automatically compiled and loaded. You do not need to restart the server.
5. The configuration file appears in oxide/config/PluginName.json.

Adjust the configuration file to your liking and reload the plugin with oxide.reload PluginName.

The permission system

Oxide and Carbon use a permission system that lets you determine per player or group who has access to which plugin features.

Creating groups

By default the groups default (all players) and admin exist. You create extra groups for VIPs, moderators or other roles:

• oxide.group add vip
• oxide.usergroup add "SteamID" vip

Assigning permissions

Each plugin registers its own permissions. View them with oxide.show perms. Assign a permission to a group:

• oxide.grant group vip kits.vipkit
• oxide.grant user "SteamID" teleportation.use

Remove a permission with oxide.revoke.

Popular starter plugins

Editing configuration files

Each plugin configuration file is a JSON file. Open it through the game panel or SFTP, adjust the values and reload the plugin. A common mistake: forgetting a comma or placing too many in the JSON. Use a JSON validator if in doubt.

Updating plugins

After a Rust update, plugins may need to be updated. Download the latest version from umod.org and re-upload the .cs file. The configuration is preserved; only the code is replaced.

My plugin does not load. What now?

Check the server log or console for error messages. The most common causes are: an outdated plugin that is not compatible with the current Rust version, an error in the configuration file (invalid JSON), or a missing dependency (some plugins require other plugins to function).

Are plugins wiped during a wipe?

No. Plugins, configuration files and permissions are preserved during both a map wipe and a blueprint wipe. Only player data from certain plugins (such as Economics balances) can be reset if you explicitly configure it.