---
title: "How to setup BetterChat for Rust"
description: "Install BetterChat, create custom VIP and Admin groups with colored chat tags, assign priorities, and edit the JSON config safely."
url: "https://www.gameserverkings.com/knowledge-base/rust/how-to-setup-betterchat/"
category: "Rust"
category_url: "https://www.gameserverkings.com/knowledge-base/rust/"
published: "2026-03-21T16:03:58.879Z"
updated: "2026-08-07T21:07:36.277Z"
source_format: "markdown"
site: "GameServerKings"
---

# How to setup BetterChat for Rust

BetterChat by LaserHydra replaces Rust's default chat with a fully customizable system: colored names, group titles like `[VIP]` or `[Admin]`, and per-group message formatting. It is the standard choice for any server with staff ranks or VIP tiers.

This guide assumes Oxide is installed. If not, start with [How to Install Oxide](/knowledge-base/rust/how-to-install-oxide/).

## Step 1: Install the Plugin

1. Download `BetterChat.cs` from [umod.org/plugins/better-chat](https://umod.org/plugins/better-chat).

2. Drop it into `oxide/plugins/` through the File Manager on your [managed Rust hosting](/games/rust-server-hosting/).

3. Watch the Console for the loaded confirmation. No restart needed.

## Step 2: Grant Yourself Admin Access

BetterChat has a single permission, `betterchat.admin`, which unlocks the `/chat` commands in-game. Grant it from the panel's Console:

```console
> oxide.grant user YourName betterchat.admin
```

> [!NOTE] Console commands drop the slash
> You can also run every BetterChat command from the panel's Console without the slash, which is what the examples below use.

## Step 3: Create Your Groups

BetterChat groups are Oxide permission groups. When you create one, it appears in Oxide too, so the same group can drive kit access, teleport limits, and chat titles all at once.

Create a VIP group:

```console
> chat group add vip
```

Then set its appearance:

```console
> chat group set vip title "[VIP]"
```

> [!TIP] See every setting a group has
> Run `chat group set vip` with no further arguments to see every setting available for the group, including title color, username color, message color, and priority.

## Step 4: Set Priorities

If a player is in multiple groups, the **priority** decides which group is primary and which title shows first. Two rules keep this painless:

- Give every group a different priority number. Duplicate priorities cause titles to disappear or stack unpredictably.
- For rank ladders (member, vip, moderator, admin), space the numbers out (10, 20, 30, 40) so you can insert groups later.

## Step 5: Add Players to Groups

Because BetterChat groups are Oxide groups, you add players the normal Oxide way:

```console
> oxide.usergroup add "PlayerName" vip
```

The player's chat updates immediately.

## Editing Groups by File

Everything you set with commands is stored in `oxide/data/BetterChat.json`. You can edit this file directly through the File Manager for bulk changes, then reload:

```console
> oxide.reload BetterChat
```

Colors accept hex values, so you can match your community branding, for example `#7c3aed`.

## Common Issues

| Problem | Fix |
|---------|-----|
| Every message appears twice | Another chat plugin is intercepting chat alongside BetterChat. Remove the duplicate (No Green is the usual suspect; BetterChat can recreate its effect) |
| Titles not showing | Check for duplicate priorities across groups, and check the title's hidden settings in the data file |
| Clan tags missing | BetterChat needs the companion Clan Tags plugin to display them |
| Changes not applying | If you edited `BetterChat.json` by hand, run `oxide.reload BetterChat` |

## What to Read Next

- [Oxide Permissions 101](/knowledge-base/rust/oxide-permissions-101/) to build the group structure BetterChat sits on
- [Rust Kits Guide](/knowledge-base/rust/rust-kits-guide/) to attach kits to the same VIP groups

---

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