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The Complete Rust Server Guide

This guide covers running a Rust server on 8Bit Hosting. It covers first connection, configuration, plugins, admin, performance, backups and security. Everything is done from the 8Bit Hosting panel.

1. Get your server online

Start the server from the panel and wait for Running. Press F1 and run client.connect yourip:port, or find it in the Community/Modded tab. Your IP and port (28015) are shown at the top of the server page.

2. Essential configuration

Open server.cfg + Startup args in the File Manager. The settings you'll touch most are server.hostname, server.maxplayers, server.worldsize, server.seed. Edit, save, then Restart to apply. Always take a backup before large changes.

3. Adding plugins

Install Oxide/uMod from the Startup tab, then drop .cs plugins into oxide/plugins (they hot-load). Stop the server, add your files via the File Manager or SFTP, then start up and watch the Console for load messages. Keep everything matched to your server version, mismatches are the #1 cause of join failures.

4. Players & admins

Add ownerid STEAMID64 "Name" to users.cfg, or use RCON. Only hand admin to people you trust, and use strong passwords for admin features.

5. Performance & optimisation

Lower server.worldsize, watch entity counts, and pick a higher-RAM plan for big pops. Watch the CPU/RAM graphs on your server page, if you're regularly near 100%, the simplest fix is moving up a plan. Schedule a daily restart to keep memory clean.

6. Backups & updates

Your important data lives in the server save (.sav) and identity folder. Use Premium Backups (off-site encrypted backups) before any big change. To update: Restart to update Rust; the forced wipe is the first Thursday monthly. Update Oxide + plugins after.

7. Security & privacy

Set server.password or use a whitelist plugin. Combine a password/whitelist with a short admin list and regular backups for a safe, stable server.

8. Troubleshooting checklist

  • Plugins broke, update Oxide and plugins after a Rust patch.
  • High CPU/RAM, reduce world size or upsize.
  • No server in list, let the first map generate.

Need a hand?

Open a support ticket with the error from your Console and our team will help you get sorted.

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