Rust server setup with Oxide plugins

Rust is brutally competitive out of the box. Plugins let you soften the experience, add features, and build a community. Oxide (uMod) is the plugin framework that powers nearly every modded Rust server.

First boot

1. Select Rust in the game panel or install via SteamCMD (app ID 258550) on a VPS.
2. Configure startup parameters:

   +server.hostname "My Rust Server"
   +server.maxplayers 50
   +server.worldsize 3500
   +server.seed 12345
   +server.saveinterval 300
   

3. Start the server. First boot generates the map (takes 2 to 5 minutes depending on world size).
4. Connect via the Rust client: F1 console, client.connect IP:28015.

Installing Oxide (uMod)

1. Stop the server.
2. In the game panel, enable Oxide/uMod in the Startup tab (or download from umod.org and extract into the server folder).
3. Start the server. Oxide creates a oxide/ folder.
4. Place plugin .cs files in oxide/plugins/.
5. Plugins load automatically. No restart needed for new plugins.

Essential plugins

• Gather Manager: adjust resource gathering rates. The #1 most-installed plugin. Every modded server uses it.
• Vanish: turn invisible for admin duties. Essential for moderation.
• Clans: creates clan/team systems with shared doors, chat and alliances.
• NoEscape: prevents combat logging (teleporting away during a raid or fight).
• Quick Smelt: speeds up furnace smelting. Adjustable multiplier.
• NTeleportation: adds /home, /tpr (teleport request) and /town commands.
• Better Chat: adds name colors, prefixes and group tags to the chat.
• Economics + ServerRewards: in-game economy with shops and rewards.
• SignArtist: lets players put custom images on signs (with content filtering).
• RustIO / RustMaps: generates a web map of your server.

Server configuration

Key settings in server.cfg (or via startup parameters):

• server.worldsize: 1000 (tiny) to 6000 (huge). 3500 to 4500 is the sweet spot for 50 to 100 players.
• server.maxplayers: set based on your hardware. 50 for 4 GB RAM, 100 for 8 GB, 200+ for 16 GB.
• server.saveinterval: how often the world saves in seconds. 300 (5 minutes) is standard.
• decay.scale: how fast buildings decay. 1.0 is default; lower for less aggressive decay.

Oxide or Carbon?

Carbon is a newer alternative to Oxide with lower memory usage. Most plugins work on both. Oxide has a larger plugin library and more documentation. For new servers, either is a good choice.

How do I become admin on my own server?

In the server console: ownerid YOUR_STEAM_ID64 "YourName" "Server Owner". Find your Steam ID64 at steamid.io. Then server.writecfg to save.

Rust servers with Oxide support are available on the Rust plans at HostValues.