Counter-Strike 2 replaced CS:GO as Valve's competitive shooter. Running your own dedicated server lets you host custom game modes, practice matches and community events. A HostValues VPS with 4 GB of RAM and a solid network connection is a good starting point.
Step 1: get a GSLT token
A Game Server Login Token (GSLT) is required for your server to appear in the public server browser. Generate one at steamcommunity.com/dev/managegameservers using App ID 730. Your Steam account needs a phone number linked to it.
Step 2: install the server
- Install SteamCMD on your VPS.
- Download CS2:
steamcmd +force_install_dir /home/cs2/server +login anonymous +app_update 730 validate +quit - Open TCP+UDP port 27015 and UDP port 27020 in your firewall.
Step 3: configure and start
Start the server with parameters like:
./cs2 -dedicated -port 27015 +game_type 0 +game_mode 1 +map de_dust2 +sv_setsteamaccount YOUR_GSLT_TOKEN
The game_type and game_mode values determine the mode: 0/0 for Casual, 0/1 for Competitive, 1/0 for Arms Race, 1/2 for Deathmatch. Check the Valve developer wiki for the full list.
Server configuration
Place a server.cfg file in game/csgo/cfg/ for persistent settings such as round time, buy time, friendly fire and bot behavior. Use the autoexec.cfg file for commands that should run on every server start. RCON access lets you manage the server remotely with rcon_password.
Workshop maps
To load workshop maps, add +host_workshop_map WORKSHOP_ID to the launch parameters and set a Steam Web API key with -authkey. This lets you run aim training maps, retake servers or community-made content.
Keeping the server running
Use a systemd service or tmux session to keep the server alive after you close your SSH connection. A simple restart script that checks whether the process is still running and relaunches it if needed prevents unexpected downtime. For competitive servers, monitor CPU and memory usage to make sure the tick rate stays consistent during matches.
Do I need a GSLT token?
Without a GSLT, the server still works for direct connections, but it will not show up in the server browser and restarts may get throttled. For any public or semi-public server, a GSLT is strongly recommended.
How do I update the server?
Valve pushes updates frequently. Run the same app_update 730 command in SteamCMD. Players on a newer version cannot join an outdated server, so update promptly after a patch.
What specs does a CS2 server need?
CS2 servers are CPU-bound. Two fast cores, 4 GB of RAM and a low-latency network connection handle a 10v10 casual server. Competitive 5v5 needs less, but benefits from a high tick rate.