How to set up a Squad server

Squad servers are set up through a handful of plain text files, which makes them easy to tweak once you know where things live. Your Squad server is created with the game installed. This guide covers sizing, the main config files, admins, layer rotation, mods and licensing.

How much RAM does a Squad server need?

• 6 GB: our smallest Squad size, for seeding or a small private server.
• 8 GB: our recommended size for a typical community server.
• 12 to 16 GB: full servers and modded layers.

1. Server.cfg

Your config files are in SquadGame/ServerConfig. Stop the server before editing any of them. Server.cfg holds the basics:

• ServerName: your server's name in the browser.
• MaxPlayers: how many players can join.
• NumReservedSlots: slots kept free for admins and whitelisted players.
• ShouldAdvertise: whether the server shows in the public browser.
• PublicQueueLimit: how many players can wait in the queue.

2. Admins

Admins.cfg sets up admin groups and the people in them. First define a group and the permissions it gets, for example Group=Admin:kick,ban,chat,changemap. Then add each admin on their own line with their SteamID64 and group, for example Admin=76561198000000000:Admin. Restart the server to apply changes.

In game, admins open the console and use commands such as AdminKick, AdminBroadcast and AdminChangeLayer.

3. Layer rotation

LayerRotation.cfg lists the layers your server plays, one per line, in order. A layer is a map combined with a game mode and version, such as a RAAS layer on Gorodok. Copy layer names exactly, because a typo can stop that layer loading.

4. RCON

Rcon.cfg sets the port and password for remote admin tools, which many communities use for admin bots, logs and stats. Use a long password and only give it to tools you trust.

5. Mods

Squad mods come from the Steam Workshop and go into SquadGame/Plugins/Mods on the server. Players download them when they join. Modded layers then go into your layer rotation like any other.

Licensed and unlicensed servers

Anyone can run a Squad server for their community. To become a licensed server, a community applies to Offworld Industries' server licensing programme and agrees to follow its rules. Check Offworld's current requirements before you apply, as they change from time to time.

Inviting players

Players find your server in Squad's server browser by searching for its name. New servers can take a few minutes to appear.

Troubleshooting

• Admin commands not working: check the SteamID64 in Admins.cfg and that the group has the right permissions, then restart.
• Layers being skipped: check the names in LayerRotation.cfg are spelled exactly.
• Server not in the browser: check ShouldAdvertise is true and give it a few minutes.
• Changes not applying: edit config files while the server is stopped.

Still stuck? Ask us on live chat or Discord.