uMod (formerly Oxide) is the plugin framework that powers modded Rust. With thousands of plugins available, here are the ten that every server needs regardless of playstyle.
1. GatherManager
Controls resource gathering rates. The single most common server modification.
{
"Default Pickup Resource Rates": {
"Wood": 2.0,
"Stones": 2.0,
"Metal Ore": 2.0,
"Sulfur Ore": 2.0
}
}
Even "vanilla" servers typically run 1.5-2x gather to reduce the grind without eliminating it.
2. NTeleportation
Teleport system with configurable cooldowns and limits.
Features:
- /home (set and teleport to home locations)
- /tpr (teleport request to another player)
- /town (teleport to a set town location)
| Setting | Recommended Value | |---------|-------------------| | Home limit | 3-5 | | TP cooldown | 300-600 seconds | | TP delay | 10-15 seconds (cancels on damage) | | Town cooldown | 600 seconds |
The delay-on-damage mechanic is critical. It prevents players from teleporting out of raids.
3. Clans
Group system that lets players form clans with friendly-fire protection, shared chat, and member management.
Essential for any server above 20 players. Without it, groups have no way to identify each other beyond voice chat.
4. QuickSmelt
Speeds up furnace smelting. Configurable per resource type.
{
"Smelting Speeds": {
"Metal Ore": 2.0,
"Sulfur Ore": 2.0,
"High Quality Metal Ore": 1.5
}
}
Players hate waiting at furnaces. QuickSmelt keeps them playing instead of watching bars fill.
5. RemoverTool
Lets players remove their own building pieces within a time window after placement. No more demolishing half your base because you misplaced one wall.
{
"Remove Time Limit": 300,
"Refund Resources": true,
"Refund Percentage": 100.0
}
300 seconds (5 minutes) and full refund is standard. This is a quality-of-life feature, not a balance change.
6. ImageLibrary + SignArtist
Lets players place custom images on signs. The community loves this for base decoration, shop signs, and (occasionally inappropriate) art.
Add a filter for NSFW content if your server is family-friendly.
7. AutoDoors
Automatically closes doors after a configurable time. Simple but universally loved.
{
"Auto Close Delay": 5.0
}
Players constantly forget to close doors. AutoDoors prevents the number one cause of base raids on new-player servers.
8. BetterChat
Enhances the chat system with colors, formatting, and group prefixes.
{
"Formatting": {
"Admin": "[Admin] {player}: {message}",
"VIP": "[VIP] {player}: {message}",
"Default": "{player}: {message}"
}
}
Makes chat readable and distinguishes admins, VIPs, and regular players.
9. ServerRewards (or Economics)
Currency system for running an in-game economy. Players earn currency through playtime, kills, or harvesting, and spend it at stores.
Useful for: shop systems, gambling plugins, VIP perks, and reward-based events.
10. DiscordMessages
Connects your Rust server chat to Discord. Players who aren't online can still follow the conversation and respond.
{
"Discord Webhook URL": "https://discord.com/api/webhooks/...",
"Send Deaths": true,
"Send Connections": true,
"Send Chat": true
}
This keeps your Discord active and your community connected even when they're not playing.
Installation
All plugins install the same way:
- Download the .cs file from umod.org
- Upload to your server's
oxide/plugins/folder - The server auto-compiles and loads it
- Configure via the generated JSON file in
oxide/config/
On Space-Node Rust hosting, the Oxide/uMod framework comes pre-installed. Just upload plugins and they're live.
