--- title: "How to install SourceMod plugins for Team Fortress 2 (TF2)" description: "Install MetaMod and SourceMod into tf/addons, verify your active build, grant admin access via SteamID, and install starter plugins." url: "https://www.gameserverkings.com/knowledge-base/team-fortress-2/sourcemod-plugins/" category: "Team Fortress 2" category_url: "https://www.gameserverkings.com/knowledge-base/team-fortress-2/" published: "2026-03-29T19:08:38.114Z" updated: "2026-08-07T21:05:32.036Z" source_format: "markdown" site: "GameServerKings" --- # How to install SourceMod plugins for Team Fortress 2 (TF2) SourceMod is the de facto plugin platform for TF2. It powers admin menus, map votes, custom game modes, and thousands of community plugins. It runs on top of MetaMod:Source. This guide installs both and covers the essential plugins. Complete [Getting started with your Team Fortress 2 server](/knowledge-base/team-fortress-2/getting-started-with-your-team-fortress-2-server/) first. ## SourceMod and MetaMod SourceMod needs MetaMod:Source underneath it. MetaMod hooks into the Source engine; SourceMod builds the plugin system on top. ### Step 1: Enable in Startup Set the **Server Type** (or `MOD` variable) in the Startup tab to `sourcemod`. Restart. [your managed Team Fortress 2 server](/games/team-fortress-2/) downloads the latest MetaMod and SourceMod stable releases on boot and installs them into `tf/addons/`. ### Step 2: Verify After boot, run from the console: ```text meta version sm version ``` Both should respond with their version strings. If you get `Unknown command: sm version`, SourceMod did not load. Check the console for an error during boot, and confirm the Server Type variable is set to `sourcemod`. ### Step 3: Add Admins Edit `tf/addons/sourcemod/configs/admins_simple.ini`: ```ini title="tf/addons/sourcemod/configs/admins_simple.ini" // "STEAM_0:0:11101" "99:z" "STEAM_0:0:11101" "99:z" ``` The format is ` ":"`. `99:z` is full admin with all flags. See the SourceMod admin documentation for finer permission tuning (separate flags for kick, ban, map change, etc.). Reload admins without restarting: ```text sm_reloadadmins ``` ### Step 4: Common SourceMod Commands Connect in-game and use chat triggers (`!` shows the menu, `/` runs silently): ```text !admin Open the admin menu !kick Kick !ban Ban !slap Slap a player !slay Kill a player !map Change map !nominate Nominate for next map vote !rtv Rock the vote (player-initiated) ``` ## Installing Plugins 1. Download the `.smx` (compiled) plugin from AlliedMods (`forums.alliedmods.net`). 2. Upload it to `tf/addons/sourcemod/plugins/`. 3. Reload from the console with `sm plugins refresh`, or restart. > [!NOTE] Plugin configs only appear after the first load > Many plugins generate config files in `tf/cfg/sourcemod/` on first load. Edit those after the first boot, then reload the plugin. Some plugins ship as source (`.sp`) and must be compiled first, either with the AlliedMods web compiler or a local `spcomp`. Most popular plugins offer a precompiled `.smx` download. ## Popular Plugins Find these at `forums.alliedmods.net`. ### MapChooser Extended Adds map voting, nominations, and Rock the Vote (RTV). The standard map-rotation plugin for community servers. - Config: `addons/sourcemod/configs/mapchooser_extended.cfg` - Pairs with the map cycle covered in [Maps and Fast Downloads](/knowledge-base/team-fortress-2/maps-and-fastdl/) ### SteamWorks A foundational extension that many other plugins depend on. Install it early, before plugins that require it. ### TF2Items Allows admins to give and modify custom weapons and items. Required by many other plugins (custom loadouts, VSH, Freak Fortress). ### TF2Attributes Applies custom weapon attributes for unique loadouts. Often paired with TF2Items. ### Stripper:Source Modifies maps at runtime without editing the `.bsp`: change spawn points, add or remove entities, adjust item placement. Heavily used for trade servers and custom modes. ### Advertisements / FlashAnnouncer Periodic server messages: rules, Discord link, donation appeals, rotating tips. ### Auto-Updater (Updater) Keeps SourceMod plugins that support it updated automatically. ### Skinchooser Lets players choose their player model. Popular on roleplay and freak servers. ### Other Community Favorites - **CustomVotes**: Player-initiated votes for various actions - **High Five**: Lets players high-five each other (surprisingly popular) - **Quickplay/Heal Tracker**: Various quality-of-life stat trackers ## A Sensible Starter Plugin Set For a community casual server: 1. SteamWorks (dependency) 2. MapChooser Extended (map votes and RTV) 3. Advertisements (server messages) 4. Basic admin is already covered by SourceMod core > [!TIP] Leave the extension-heavy plugins out until you need them > Add TF2Items, TF2Attributes, and Stripper:Source only if you plan to run custom loadouts or modes. ## Common Issues - **Plugins not loading**: Look at `addons/sourcemod/logs/errors_*.log` for compile or runtime errors. The log names the plugin and the failure. - **"sm version" unknown after enabling SourceMod**: The Server Type variable is not set to `sourcemod`, or MetaMod failed to load. Confirm both `meta version` and `sm version` respond. - **Plugin requires an extension that is missing**: Install the dependency (often SteamWorks, TF2Items, or TF2Attributes) before the plugin that needs it. - **Admin commands do nothing**: Your SteamID in `admins_simple.ini` is wrong or formatted incorrectly. Confirm the `STEAM_0:X:XXXXX` format and run `sm_reloadadmins`. ## What to Read Next - [Maps and Fast Downloads](/knowledge-base/team-fortress-2/maps-and-fastdl/) since MapChooser pairs with your map cycle - [Game Mode Servers](/knowledge-base/team-fortress-2/gamemodes/) for modes built on TF2Items and Stripper:Source - [Getting started with your Team Fortress 2 server](/knowledge-base/team-fortress-2/getting-started-with-your-team-fortress-2-server/) to revisit core server config - [Team Fortress 2 Admin Commands](/knowledge-base/team-fortress-2/admin-commands/) for every `sm_` command and its permission flag --- Made with 💜 by GameServerKings