Do I need to own Rust to install the server?

No. The Rust Dedicated Server (App ID 258550) downloads through SteamCMD with an anonymous login, no account that owns the game required. Players, however, need Rust on Steam.

Which ports do I need to open for a Rust server?

28015 UDP for the game, 28016 TCP for RCON and 28082 TCP for Rust+. If you set server.queryport, open that port in UDP as well.

How much RAM does a Rust server need?

8 GB minimum for a small map and a few players, 12 to 16 GB for a community server with plugins. Memory use grows over the wipe, so leave headroom.

How do I become admin on my Rust server?

In the server console, type ownerid followed by your SteamID64, then server.writecfg. Disconnect and reconnect: the F1 console now gives you admin commands.

How to Host a Rust Server: Complete Setup Guide (2026)

TL;DR

To host a Rust server: download the dedicated server with SteamCMD (App ID 258550, anonymous login), create a start.bat with server.hostname, server.worldsize, server.seed and rcon.password, open ports 28015 UDP, 28016 TCP and 28082 TCP, launch, then grant yourself admin with ownerid. Rather play than babysit a machine? Rent a ready-to-play Rust server: installs, updates and restarts are handled for you.

Running your own Rust server means choosing your wipe schedule, gather rates and community. This guide covers installing on Windows, basic configuration and going live.

⚙️ Requirements

8 GB RAM minimum for a small map, 12 to 16 GB for a community server.
A fast CPU: single-core speed matters a lot more than core count.
About 20 GB of disk space, plus room for backups.
Good upload bandwidth if you host at home.

⚙️ Step 1: install the server with SteamCMD

Download SteamCMD from Valve's site, extract it to C:\steamcmd, run steamcmd.exe and type:

force_install_dir C:\rustserver
login anonymous
app_update 258550 validate
quit

258550 is the Rust Dedicated Server app ID. You don't need to own the game to download it.

⚙️ Step 2: create the startup script

Create start.bat in C:\rustserver:

@echo off
:start
RustDedicated.exe -batchmode ^
 +server.identity "myserver" ^
 +server.hostname "[US] My Server | Vanilla | Thursday Wipes" ^
 +server.description "Join our Discord: ..." ^
 +server.port 28015 ^
 +server.maxplayers 50 ^
 +server.worldsize 3500 ^
 +server.seed 12345 ^
 +server.saveinterval 300 ^
 +rcon.port 28016 ^
 +rcon.password "StrongPassword" ^
 +rcon.web 1 ^
 +app.port 28082
goto start

The goto start loop restarts the server automatically if it stops.

Parameter	What it does
`server.identity`	Save folder name (`server/myserver`)
`server.hostname`	Name in the server browser
`server.worldsize`	Map size (1,000 to 6,000)
`server.seed`	Same size + same seed = same map
`server.saveinterval`	Save frequency in seconds
`rcon.*`	Remote admin access
`app.port`	Rust+ companion app port

Pick your map first

Preview seeds on a Rust map preview site before wipe day, so you don't launch a map with poor monuments. Same size and same seed always produce the same map.

⚙️ Step 3: open the ports

Port	Protocol	Use
28015	UDP	Game
28016	TCP	RCON
28082	TCP	Rust+

Also open your query port if you set one with server.queryport. On a hosted Rust server at LordHosting, the ports are already open and the startup script is replaced by the panel's launch settings.

⚙️ Step 4: give yourself admin

In the server console:

ownerid 76561198XXXXXXXXX "YourName" "admin"
server.writecfg

Use your SteamID64. Reconnect, and the F1 console now gives you admin commands. See the full list of Rust console and admin commands.

⚙️ Step 5: make your server attractive

Clear name: region, type (vanilla / 2x / PvE), group limit, wipe day.
Header image: server.headerimage "https://.../banner.png" (512 x 256 px).
Discord link: server.url "https://discord.gg/...".
Regular, announced wipes: new players show up on wipe day. Our guide Rust wipe schedule: when is force wipe? explains how to prepare it.

⚙️ Ready-to-paste configuration

A complete start.bat for a 50-player vanilla server with Rust+ and RCON. Replace the four values at the top before using it.

@echo off
:: Replace: the displayed name, the Discord link, the RCON password, the seed
set HOSTNAME=[US] My Server | Vanilla | Thursday 7PM Wipes | Max 4
set DISCORD=https://discord.gg/xxxx
set RCONPASS=StrongPassword
set SEED=12345

:start
RustDedicated.exe -batchmode -nographics ^
 +server.identity "myserver" ^
 +server.hostname "%HOSTNAME%" ^
 +server.description "Vanilla server, wipes every Thursday at 7PM. Discord: %DISCORD%" ^
 +server.url "%DISCORD%" ^
 +server.port 28015 ^
 +server.queryport 28017 ^
 +server.maxplayers 50 ^
 +server.worldsize 3500 ^
 +server.seed %SEED% ^
 +server.saveinterval 300 ^
 +server.tickrate 30 ^
 +rcon.port 28016 ^
 +rcon.password "%RCONPASS%" ^
 +rcon.web 1 ^
 +app.port 28082
timeout 10
goto start

With server.queryport 28017, open that port in UDP too.

✅ Conclusion

SteamCMD, a startup script, three ports and one ownerid command: your Rust server is online. The real work starts afterwards, with your wipe schedule and plugins. Our other guides cover those steps: Rust wipe schedule: when is force wipe? and How to install Oxide and Rust plugins.

Rather play than babysit a machine? Rent your Rust server: installs, updates and restarts are handled, with anti-DDoS included.

FAQ

The answers to frequently asked questions about hosting a Rust server are in the FAQ box below. If a question is missing, contact LordHosting support via Discord or by ticket.