Counter-Strike 2: game modes, server.cfg, and plugins

A Counter-Strike 2 server is driven by a game mode, a map, and a server.cfg. Get those three right and you've got a working server; add Metamod:Source + CounterStrikeSharp and you can run plugins. This guide covers all of it.

Pick a game mode and map

CS2 game modes are set by two cvars, usually on the Startup tab or in your config:

Set the starting map with the launch parameter +map de_dust2 (Startup tab). You can change map live from the console with changelevel de_mirage or map de_inferno.

Configure server.cfg

server.cfg runs automatically on server start. Edit it in the File Manager under game/csgo/cfg/:

hostname "My ServerPrism CS2 Server"
rcon_password "a-strong-password"
sv_password ""
sv_cheats 0
mp_autoteambalance 1
mp_limitteams 2
sv_lan 0

• hostname — name in the server browser.
• rcon_password — required for remote admin from the in-game console (rcon <command>). Set something strong.
• sv_password — set a value to make the server private (players need it to connect).

Save and restart, or run exec server.cfg from the console to reload.

RCON — admin from the game

With rcon_password set, connect to your server, open the console (~), and authenticate:

rcon_password a-strong-password
rcon changelevel de_nuke
rcon mp_restartgame 1

Anything you can type in the server console, you can run via rcon as an admin.

Install plugins (Metamod:Source + CounterStrikeSharp)

Most CS2 plugins need two layers:

1. Metamod:Source — the base loader. Install it into game/csgo/addons/ and add the Metamod line to gameinfo.gi as its docs describe.
2. CounterStrikeSharp — the plugin runtime that most modern CS2 plugins target. Install it on top of Metamod.
3. Drop plugins into game/csgo/addons/counterstrikesharp/plugins/ and restart.

Follow each project's install guide for the exact file layout — CS2's addon loading is picky about paths and the gameinfo.gi edit.

Practice / matchmaking configs

For scrims and practice servers, a config that sets warmup, money, and grenade-trajectory cvars is common. Put your practice cvars in a file like cfg/practice.cfg and load it with exec practice.cfg from the console when you want it.

Common issues

• RCON "Bad password": rcon_password isn't set or doesn't match — set it in server.cfg and reload.
• Server not in browser: sv_lan must be 0; also give it a moment to register.
• Plugins don't load: the gameinfo.gi Metamod line is missing or the addon paths are wrong — re-check the Metamod/CounterStrikeSharp install steps.
• Wrong mode on boot: game_type/game_mode don't match the table above, or a config overrides them later.