---
title: "Counter-Strike 2 configuration"
description: "Build a clean server.cfg for CS2, set secure passwords, customize hostnames, and configure the settings that matter for community servers."
url: "https://www.gameserverkings.com/knowledge-base/counter-strike-2/configuration-overview/"
category: "Counter-Strike 2"
category_url: "https://www.gameserverkings.com/knowledge-base/counter-strike-2/"
published: "2026-07-02T03:13:17.556Z"
updated: "2026-08-07T08:38:21.501Z"
source_format: "markdown"
site: "GameServerKings"
---

# Counter-Strike 2 configuration

This guide covers the configuration files and key settings for your Counter-Strike 2 server. For first boot and connecting, see [Getting started with your Counter-Strike 2 server](/knowledge-base/counter-strike-2/getting-started-with-your-server/).

The main config is at `game/csgo/cfg/server.cfg`. CS2 inherits most cvars from CS:GO with small differences. Admin permissions are not set here - they need a plugin, which the [CS2 admin setup guide](/knowledge-base/counter-strike-2/how-to-add-admins-and-commands/) walks through.

## What Goes in server.cfg

The blocks below are one file, split by what each group controls. Paste them in order, or take only the sections you need.

### Identity and access

Everything that decides who can see the server and who can administer it.

```cfg title="server.cfg - identity and access"
hostname "My GSK CS2 Server"
sv_password ""
rcon_password "STRONG_RANDOM"
sv_region 1
sv_lan 0
sv_pure 1
```

| Setting | Notes |
|---------|-------|
| `hostname` | Server browser display |
| `sv_password` | Set for private |
| `rcon_password` | Required for remote management |
| `sv_pure` | `1` enforces consistency; `0` allows custom assets |
| `sv_region` | 0=US East, 1=US West, 2=SA, 3=EU, 4=Asia, 5=Aus, 6=ME, 7=Africa |

### Match format

```cfg title="server.cfg - match format"
mp_maxrounds 24
mp_match_can_clinch 1
mp_halftime 1
mp_overtime_enable 1
mp_overtime_maxrounds 6
mp_overtime_startmoney 12500
mp_match_end_restart 0
mp_match_restart_delay 15
```

| Setting | Notes |
|---------|-------|
| `mp_maxrounds` | 24 = first to 13 (MR12 competitive) |

### Round timing

```cfg title="server.cfg - round timing"
mp_warmuptime 30
mp_warmup_pausetimer 0
mp_freezetime 15
mp_buytime 20
mp_buy_anywhere 0
mp_roundtime 1.92
mp_roundtime_defuse 1.92
mp_timelimit 0
mp_round_restart_delay 5
```

| Setting | Notes |
|---------|-------|
| `mp_freezetime` | Seconds before round start |
| `mp_buytime` | Buy window in seconds |

### Economy

```cfg title="server.cfg - economy"
mp_startmoney 800
mp_maxmoney 16000
cash_team_terrorist_loser_bonus 1400
cash_team_loser_bonus 1400
```

### Teams, voice and friendly fire

```cfg title="server.cfg - teams and voice"
mp_friendlyfire 0
mp_autoteambalance 1
mp_limitteams 2
mp_solid_teammates 1
mp_teammates_are_enemies 0
sv_alltalk 0
sv_voiceenable 1
sv_deadtalk 0
sv_full_alltalk 0
cl_disablefreezecam 1
```

### Downloads and persistence

```cfg title="server.cfg - downloads and persistence"
sv_downloadurl ""
sv_allowdownload 1
sv_allowupload 1

writeid
writeip
```

> [!IMPORTANT] Edits do not apply until you reload the config
> After editing, run `exec server.cfg` in the console or restart.

## Practice Server Config

For a nade-practice or warmup setup, save this as `game/csgo/cfg/practice.cfg` and run `exec practice` in the console. For scrims and matches rather than practice, [running competitive matches](/knowledge-base/counter-strike-2/how-to-run-competitive-matches/) covers match configs and the plugins they need:

```cfg title="practice.cfg"
sv_cheats 1
mp_warmup_end
mp_freezetime 0
mp_roundtime 60
mp_roundtime_defuse 60
mp_maxmoney 60000
mp_startmoney 60000
mp_buytime 9999
mp_buy_anywhere 1
sv_infinite_ammo 1
ammo_grenade_limit_total 5
sv_grenade_trajectory_prediction 1
mp_restartgame 1
bot_kick
```

> [!TIP] See the throw arc while you line up
> `sv_grenade_trajectory_prediction` draws the throw arc while you line up, which is the setting most practice servers exist for.

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