Running your own CS2 server sounds like a big project, but the basics are simpler than you think. You need a machine, a free tool from Valve called SteamCMD, and a Game Server Login Token. Let's go step by step.
What you need
A CS2 dedicated server can run on Windows or Linux. Plan for at least:
- 2 GB of RAM (more if you want many players or plugins)
- 65 GB of free disk space for the game files
- A modern 64-bit CPU and a stable internet connection with good upload speed
You can use a home PC to test, but a rented server or VPS is better if you want it online 24/7. Players also need to reach it, so port 27015 (UDP) must be open in your firewall and router.
Step 1: Install the server with SteamCMD
SteamCMD is Valve's command-line version of Steam for servers. Download it, run it, and enter these commands (choose your own folder):
force_install_dir ./cs2-serverlogin anonymousapp_update 730 validatequit
App 730 is Counter-Strike 2. You log in anonymously, so you don't need your own Steam password. Run app_update 730 validate again whenever CS2 updates — players can't join an outdated server.
Step 2: Get a Game Server Login Token (GSLT)
Public CS2 servers need a GSLT. Create one on Steam's Manage Game Servers page (steamcommunity.com/dev/managegameservers) and enter 730 as the App ID.
Your Steam account must meet a few rules: it can't be a limited account, it needs a phone number attached, and it must own the game. Each token is for one server.
Step 3: Launch the server
The basic launch line is the same on both systems; only the program path is different. On Windows, run cs2.exe from game/bin/win64:
cs2.exe -dedicated -port 27015 -maxplayers 10 +map de_dust2 +sv_setsteamaccount YOUR_TOKEN
On Linux, use the cs2.sh script in the game folder:
./cs2.sh -dedicated -port 27015 -maxplayers 10 +map de_dust2 +sv_setsteamaccount YOUR_TOKEN
-maxplayers sets your slot count and +map picks the start map. Replace YOUR_TOKEN with your GSLT. Once it is up, connect from your game with connect IP:27015 to test it.
Step 4: Choose a game mode
CS2 picks the mode from two settings, game_type and game_mode. Add them to your launch line, for example +game_type 0 +game_mode 1 for competitive.
| Mode | game_type | game_mode |
|---|---|---|
| Casual | 0 | 0 |
| Competitive | 0 | 1 |
| Wingman | 0 | 2 |
| Deathmatch | 1 | 2 |
| Custom | 3 | 0 |
Custom is the base for community modes like surf, retakes or minigames, where plugins and map settings take over.
Step 5: Add plugins
Most popular community servers run plugins. On CS2 the standard tools are Metamod:Source 2 plus CounterStrikeSharp. With them you can add admin tools, ranks, timers for surf and KZ, retake logic and more. SourceMod from the CS:GO days does not work on CS2.
Add plugins one by one and restart after each. If the server crashes, you know right away which plugin caused it. Remember to check plugins after every CS2 update, because a game patch can break them until their authors release a fix.
Also write clear rules and post them in a welcome message or on your server's community page. Friendly admins and fair rules are what keep players coming back night after night.
Get players: add your server to Oggo
A server without players is just a lonely map. List it on Oggo so people browsing the CS2 server list can find it and join with one click.
Go to the owners page and add your server. To prove it is yours, you put a short code into your server's sv_tags. Once it is verified, your server gets a verified badge, you see its stats, and your server's streamers can be shown next to it.
These are the busiest CS2 servers right now — see what they do well, then build your own. Looking for mode ideas? Read our community servers guide.
