Configure your Rust server (server.cfg, password)

Rust is configured mainly through console variables (server.*) that can be placed in server.cfg to persist across reboots. The server password, RCON and the number of slots are also passed on the startup line.

Cause / The problem

Without RCON, you can’t administer the server remotely. Without a server password, anyone can join. And without a server.cfg, every setting you type in the console is lost on the next restart.

Solution

1. Edit server.cfg at /serverfiles/rust/cfg/server.cfg via the panel (Files tab).
2. Main server settings:

   server.hostname "My Rust Server — onesubnet"
   server.description "Weekly wipe PvE server — Paris"
   server.headerimage "https://example.com/banner.png"
   server.url "https://mysite.com"
   server.maxplayers 100
   server.pve false

3. Server password (for a private server):

   server.password "MyPassword"

   Leave it empty for a public server.
4. RCON: configure it in the panel’s startup line (Startup / Variables), not in server.cfg:

   +rcon.password "ASolidRcon123"
   +rcon.port 28015
   +rcon.web 1

   rcon.web 1 enables the modern web RCON (recommended for tools like RustAdmin).
5. Gameplay variables in server.cfg:

   server.seed 12345
   server.worldsize 4000
   server.saveinterval 300
   server.secondsperday 60

   server.seed and server.worldsize only take effect on the next map wipe.
6. Anti-cheat:

   antihack.enabled true
   eac.enabled true

7. Restart and test the RCON from a client like RustAdmin or through a web tool. Connect in-game to check the hostname and description in the server list.

To force a map wipe, delete proceduralmap.*.map and player.blueprints.* in /serverfiles/rust, then restart. The seed and worldsize will then be reapplied.