---
title: "Getting started with your Rust server"
description: "Tour your Rust server panel, complete your first boot, connect using the client console, and claim owner status with your SteamID64."
url: "https://www.gameserverkings.com/knowledge-base/rust/rust-startup/"
category: "Rust"
category_url: "https://www.gameserverkings.com/knowledge-base/rust/"
published: "2026-03-15T15:39:44.651Z"
updated: "2026-08-19T10:52:36.799Z"
source_format: "markdown"
site: "GameServerKings"
---

# Getting started with your Rust server

This guide walks you through the first 30 minutes with a fresh Rust server on our panel: logging in, finding the server, starting it, connecting in-game, and changing the basics.

## Before You Start

You need:

- An active [Rust server rental](/games/rust-server-hosting/)
- Your panel credentials (sent to your billing email)
- Rust installed on your client through Steam

## 1. Log Into the GSK Panel

Open `app.gameserverkings.com` in a browser and sign in with the email and password from your welcome message. If you have not received your credentials, check spam first, then submit a ticket.

Once you are in, your servers are listed on the dashboard. Click your Rust server to open its management page.

## 2. Tour of the Server Page

The left-hand sidebar has the tabs you will use most often:

- **Console** is where the server output streams in real time. You can also send RCON commands from here.
- **File Manager** is for editing configs, uploading plugins, and managing the server's files.
- **Schedules** lets you run commands or restarts on a recurring timer (used heavily for wipes).
- **Startup** is where server name, max players, seed, world size, and other launch arguments are configured.
- **Backups** creates snapshots of your server volume.
- **Databases** is used by plugins that need MySQL (most do not).
- **Sub-Users** grants other accounts limited access to your server.
- **Settings** holds your SFTP credentials and the server rename field.

## 3. First Boot

Hit the green **Start** button at the top of the Console tab. The very first boot for a Rust server takes longer than later boots because:

1. SteamCMD downloads the Rust server files (about 11 GB at the time of writing). You will see its progress in the console.
2. The server generates a procedural map from your seed and world size.

> [!NOTE] First boot takes 10 to 20 minutes
> A typical fresh install on a barebones config takes 10 to 20 minutes before you see the `Server startup complete` message. Watch the console for that line.

If the server crashes mid-boot, check:

- That your map size and plugin load are not too heavy for your plan (see [Performance Optimization](/knowledge-base/rust/server-performance/)).
- That the seed and world size in the Startup tab are valid numbers.

## 4. Connect In-Game

While the server is starting, grab your connection IP. It is shown in the **Address** at the top left of the panel in the format `203.0.113.10:28015`.

In Rust:

1. Press **F1** to open the console. ([Rust Console Commands](/knowledge-base/rust/rust-console-commands/) covers what else you can do from there.)

2. Type `client.connect 203.0.113.10:28015` (replace with your actual IP and port).

3. Press Enter.

You can also add your server to your in-game favorites by joining once through F1, then clicking the star next to it in the server browser.

## 5. Make Yourself Admin

You cannot use admin commands until you have ownerid set. The cleanest way is from the panel's Console:

``` title="Setting Yourself as Owner"
ownerid 76561197960287930 "YourName" "owner"
```

Replace `76561197960287930` with your real SteamID64. You can look it up at `steamid.io` by pasting your Steam profile URL.

> [!IMPORTANT] You must reconnect — but you do not need `server.writecfg`
> Rust writes `users.cfg` itself whenever you add or remove an owner or moderator, so admin status already survives a restart. Facepunch's own server guide states it plainly: "No need to save the changes after doing this, it is done automatically now." What you *do* have to do is **reconnect** — the auth level is read when you join, so the commands stay unavailable until you rejoin.

For moderator-level access instead of full owner:

``` title="Setting Yourself as Moderator"
moderatorid 76561197960287930 "YourName" "moderator"
```

## 6. Common First-Day Changes

Open the **Startup** tab. The fields most people change on day one are:

| Field | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| Hostname | The server name shown in the Rust server browser |
| Description | Multi-line description shown when a player clicks your server |
| Max Players | Slot count. Be conservative; 100 slots on a tiny map is misery |
| World Size | Map size in meters (1000 to 6000; 3500 to 4500 is typical) |
| Seed | Determines the procedural layout (1 to 2147483647) |
| RCON Password | Required for tools like RustAdmin to connect remotely |

> [!WARNING] World size and seed changes require a full wipe
> After changing any Startup field, restart the server for changes to apply. Some changes (world size, seed) require a full wipe to take effect, since they regenerate the map.

World Size and Seed only apply to a procedurally generated map. To run a community-made map instead, you paste a link to its `.map` file into the **Custom Map** field on the same tab and clear those two — [How to: Install Custom Maps For Rust Servers](/knowledge-base/rust/install-custom-maps/) covers hosting the file and the errors a bad link produces.

## 7. What to Read Next

- [How to Install Oxide](/knowledge-base/rust/how-to-install-oxide/) is the very next step for most owners, because almost every quality-of-life plugin requires it.
- [Wipe Management](/knowledge-base/rust/wipe-day-guide/) covers monthly and weekly wipes.
- [Popular Plugins](/knowledge-base/rust/popular-plugins/) lists the plugins almost every server runs.
- [How to Use External RCON Tools](/knowledge-base/rust/how-to-use-external-rcon-tools/) connects external tools like RustAdmin and BattleMetrics.
- [How to: Install Custom Maps For Rust Servers](/knowledge-base/rust/install-custom-maps/) if you would rather run a community map than a procedural one.

---

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