Rust Server Administration: Essential Commands and RCON Guide

Whether you're managing through the game console, RCON, or Oxide commands, here's your reference guide for Rust server administration.

Console Access

Direct Console

If you have access to the server console (through your hosting panel or directly), commands run immediately:

say "Server restart in 5 minutes"
server.save
quit

RCON (Remote Console)

RCON lets you send commands remotely. Setup:

1. In your startup parameters or server.cfg:

rcon.port 28016
rcon.password YourSecurePasswordHere
rcon.web true

1. Connect with an RCON client:

• RustAdmin (desktop app, most popular)
• WebRCON (browser-based)
• rcon.io (web-based, quick access)

Always use a strong RCON password. Anyone with access can fully control your server.

Essential Server Commands

Server Management

server.save              # Force world save
server.writecfg          # Save server configuration
quit                     # Graceful shutdown
restart 300 "Restarting" # Restart with countdown
fps.limit 30             # Set tick rate limit

Player Management

status                   # List all connected players
kick "PlayerName" "Reason"
ban "PlayerName" "Reason"
unban SteamID
banid SteamID "Reason"
moderatorid SteamID "Name"    # Grant moderator
ownerid SteamID "Name"        # Grant owner/admin
removeowner SteamID

Teleportation (Admin)

teleportpos "PlayerName" 0 0 0    # TP to coordinates
teleport "Player1" "Player2"      # TP player to player
teleport2me "PlayerName"          # TP player to you

World Management

world.size                # Show map size
world.seed               # Show map seed
spawn.fill_populations   # Force animal respawn
spawn.fill_groups        # Force resource respawn

Performance Monitoring

perf 1                   # Enable performance display
perf 0                   # Disable
ent count                # Show entity count
gc.collect               # Force garbage collection
pool.print_prefabs       # Show pool stats

Oxide-Specific Commands

If you have Oxide installed:

oxide.version            # Check Oxide version
oxide.plugins            # List loaded plugins
oxide.load PluginName    # Load a plugin
oxide.unload PluginName  # Unload a plugin
oxide.reload PluginName  # Reload (after config changes)
oxide.grant user SteamID permission.name
oxide.revoke user SteamID permission.name
oxide.group add GroupName
oxide.usergroup add SteamID GroupName

Server Configuration Variables

Important settings you can change at runtime:

# Gameplay
server.pve true/false              # Enable PvE mode
server.radiation true/false        # Enable radiation
decay.scale 1.0                    # Building decay speed (higher = faster)
craft.instant true/false           # Instant crafting
gather.rate 1.0                    # Resource gather multiplier

# Performance
ai.think true/false                # Enable/disable AI
ai.move true/false                 # Enable/disable AI movement
ai.sensetime 1.0                   # AI sense interval
batching.colliders 1               # Enable collider batching
gc.buffer 256                      # GC buffer size

Moderation Best Practices

1. Always state a reason when kicking or banning - it appears in logs
2. Use SteamIDs for bans, not names (names can be changed)
3. Record evidence before banning (spectate mode or admin tools)
4. Have a ban appeal process - mistakes happen
5. Use moderators - don't try to moderate alone on a busy server

Security Checklist

• RCON password is strong and unique
• RCON port is not exposed publicly (firewall to admin IPs only)
• Owner/moderator list reviewed monthly
• Console logs monitored for unauthorized command usage
• Server files backed up before making changes

All Space-Node Rust plans include RCON access and a web console for server management. The hosting panel provides an additional layer of server control for tasks like file management and backups.