How to Make a Counter-Strike: Source Dedicated Server

A Counter-Strike: Source dedicated server runs on its own, without the game client, so it stays online when you're not playing. The server software is free. You download it with Valve's SteamCMD tool using an anonymous login, so you don't need to own the game on the machine that hosts it. This guide covers Windows and Linux.

Last checked: November 9, 2026.

Listen server or dedicated server?

If you just want a quick match with friends, use Create Server and forward UDP port 27015 on your router. For anything that should stay up, follow the steps below.

What you need

• A PC, VPS or rented machine running Windows or Linux. One popular hosting panel suggests at least 512 MB of RAM and about 3 GB of disk space for a basic server, with 1 GB of RAM and 6 GB of disk recommended.
• SteamCMD, Valve's command-line download tool.
• A Steam account to create a Game Server Login Token (GSLT). The download itself works anonymously.
• An open UDP port, 27015 by default.

Step 1: Install SteamCMD

On Linux, Valve provides SteamCMD at https://media.steampowered.com/client/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz. Make a folder, then download and unpack it:

mkdir ~/steamcmd && cd ~/steamcmd
curl -sqL "https://media.steampowered.com/client/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz" | tar zxvf -

On 64-bit Debian or Ubuntu, SteamCMD also needs 32-bit libraries such as lib32gcc-s1. Create a separate user for the server rather than running it as root.

On Windows, download steamcmd.zip from Valve and unzip it to a folder such as C:\steamcmd.

Step 2: Download the CS:S server files

The Counter-Strike: Source dedicated server has the SteamCMD app ID 232330. That's different from the game's own app ID, which is 240. Run one command to download it:

Linux:

./steamcmd.sh +force_install_dir /home/css/server +login anonymous +app_update 232330 validate +quit

Windows:

steamcmd.exe +force_install_dir C:\cssserver +login anonymous +app_update 232330 validate +quit

Put the server in a different folder from SteamCMD itself. Run the same command again whenever Valve updates the game, such as the August 24 and September 16, 2026 updates, because an outdated server can stop players on the current version from joining.

Step 3: Write server.cfg

Your main settings file lives at cstrike/cfg/server.cfg inside the server folder. Create it if it doesn't exist. A simple starting point:

hostname "My CS:S Server"
rcon_password "use-a-long-random-password"
sv_password ""
sv_lan 0
mp_timelimit 30
mp_roundtime 3
mp_freezetime 6
mp_c4timer 45
mp_friendlyfire 0
mp_autoteambalance 1
mp_limitteams 2
sv_alltalk 0

Leave sv_password empty for a public server, or set one to keep it private. sv_lan 0 lets players outside your network join. For more settings, see our CS:S console commands guide.

Set the map rotation

The map list isn't created by default. In cstrike/cfg, copy or rename mapcycle_default.txt to mapcycle.txt, then list one map per line. Map files go in cstrike/maps.

Step 4: Start the server

Linux:

./srcds_run -game cstrike -console -port 27015 +map de_dust2 -maxplayers 24 +sv_setsteamaccount YOUR_TOKEN

Windows (make a shortcut or batch file in the server folder):

srcds.exe -console -game cstrike -port 27015 +map de_dust2 -maxplayers 24 +sv_setsteamaccount YOUR_TOKEN

What each part does:

To test it, open the game, enable the developer console and type connect followed by the server's IP and port, for example connect 192.168.1.20:27015.

Step 5: Get a Game Server Login Token (GSLT)

Without a GSLT, a CS:S server won't appear in the public Steam server list. To create one:

1. Log in at Steam's game server account page.
2. Enter 240 as the App ID. Use the game's ID here, not the server's 232330.
3. Add a memo so you know which server it's for, then create the token.
4. Put it in your start line as +sv_setsteamaccount YOUR_TOKEN, or add sv_setsteamaccount YOUR_TOKEN to your config.

Every server needs its own token. A token also keeps your server in players' favorites if you later move it to a new IP address or host.

Step 6: Open the right ports

On a home connection, forward UDP 27015 on your router to the server's local IP. On a VPS, allow it in the provider's firewall. Keep the public port the same as the server's port, because the server tells Steam which port to list.

Step 7: Add SourceMod and plugins (optional)

Most community servers run SourceMod, which needs Metamod:Source installed first. Both are free from AlliedModders.

1. Extract Metamod:Source and then SourceMod into the cstrike folder, so you end up with cstrike/addons/metamod and cstrike/addons/sourcemod.
2. Restart the server fully.
3. Type meta list in the server console. SourceMod should be listed. sm version shows its version.
4. Add yourself as an admin. In addons/sourcemod/configs/admins_simple.ini, add a line with your Steam ID and the z flag, such as "STEAM_0:1:12345" "99:z". Run sm_reloadadmins, join the server and type sm_admin to open the admin menu.
5. Put plugin files (.smx) in addons/sourcemod/plugins and restart, or run sm plugins refresh.

Popular plugins match the community game modes:

• Zombie:Reloaded for zombie servers
• SM_Hosties for jailbreak, with last request games
• bhoptimer for bunny hop and surf timers, records and replays

Valve updates can occasionally break SourceMod or plugins. The bhoptimer project, for example, notes an extra fix needed on Windows after the February 18, 2025 update. If plugins stop loading after a patch, check AlliedModders for newer builds.

Easier options

• LinuxGSM offers a cssserver script and a Docker image (ghcr.io/gameservermanagers/gameserver:css) that installs and updates the server for you.
• Rented game servers handle SteamCMD, updates and SourceMod through a web panel, for a monthly fee.

Get players to find your server

Once it's running with a token, it shows up in the in-game browser. You can also add it to our CS:S server finder using the Add your server form at the bottom of the list. The finder checks it's a real Counter-Strike: Source server, then keeps its player count and map up to date.

Frequently asked questions

Is a Counter-Strike: Source dedicated server free?

Yes. The server software is free to download through SteamCMD with an anonymous login, and you don't need to own the game on the server machine. You only pay if you rent hardware or a hosted game server.

What is the app ID for the CS:S dedicated server?

The dedicated server's SteamCMD app ID is 232330. The game itself is app 240, which is the ID you enter when creating a Game Server Login Token.

Why doesn't my CS:S server show up in the server list?

The most common reason is a missing Game Server Login Token. Create one with App ID 240 and add +sv_setsteamaccount YOUR_TOKEN to your start line. Also check that UDP port 27015 is open and forwarded to the server.

What port does a CS:S server use?

The default game port is 27015 over UDP, which also answers server browser queries. RCON uses TCP on the same port, and SourceTV uses UDP 27020 if you enable it.

How many players can a CS:S server have?

Counter-Strike: Source servers support up to 64 players. Set the slot count with -maxplayers in your start line, and keep in mind that more players need more CPU and bandwidth.

How do I update my CS:S server?

Stop the server and run the same SteamCMD command you used to install it, with +app_update 232330 validate. Then start the server again. Do this after every Valve update so players on the current version can keep joining.