Which command installs the CS:GO server using SteamCMD?

As the steam user, run steamcmd +force_install_dir ' ' +login anonymous +app_update 730 validate +quit (Steam app ID 730).

Where can I edit the server configuration?

In the server.cfg file at /home/steam/CS:GO-ds/game/csgo/cfg/server.cfg.

Why do I need a GSL token, and where can I get one?

To allow other players to join your server, generate and add a Game Server Login Token (GSLT). This token authenticates your server with Steam. Create one at steamcommunity.com/dev/managegameservers using the relevant Game ID (4465480), then add it to your server startup parameters.

CS:GO Dedicated Server Linux Setup

Learn how to set up a CS:GO Dedicated Server on your Linux server for seamless gameplay hosting → Find out more

10 November 20262 min read0 Views0 helpful

Introduction

Do you have a Linux VPS/dedicated server and want to install the CS:GO Dedicated Server service on it? You’re in the right place. In this guide, we’ll explain step by step how to install this service on your Linux server using SteamCMD. We use Ubuntu as an example, but the process is very similar on other distributions.

Preparation

First, connect to your VPS/dedicated server via SSH. If you need help, follow our SSH Getting Started guide. You’ll also need to set up SteamCMD on your Linux server the first time you use it. Follow our SteamCMD Linux Setup guide, and make sure SteamCMD is fully set up before continuing.

Installation

Code

sudo -u steam -s
cd ~

Once logged in, you can start the installation with the following command, which uses SteamCMD to install the CS:GO Dedicated Server directly in the steam user's directory.

Code

steamcmd +force_install_dir '/home/steam/CS:GO-ds' +login anonymous +app_update 730 validate +quit

Please be patient while the download runs—it can take a while for larger games. If everything worked, a confirmation message will appear.

Configuration

You’ve now completed the basic installation of your CS:GO server. You can change additional server settings directly in the startup file.

Go to your root directory. From there, navigate to the cfg folder and open the server.cfg file. You can adjust the server options here.

Code

nano /home/steam/CS:GO-ds/game/csgo/cfg/server.cfg

Register a GSL Token

To allow other players to join your server, you need to generate and add a Game Server Login Token (GSLT). This token authenticates your server with Steam. Create your GSLT at http://steamcommunity.com/dev/managegameservers using Game ID 4465480, which is for the new CS:GO standalone version.

Then add the token to your server startup parameters using +sv_setsteamaccount <TOKEN>.

Start and Connect to the Server

Now for the main event: start your server. Go to the main game directory and run the following command:

Code

./CS:GO -dedicated +map de_dust2

You should now see logs in the terminal confirming that the server started successfully. Note that the first startup may take a little longer while everything is set up. Alternatively, you can connect directly by using the search at the bottom of the server list and entering [your_ip_address]:27015.

Conclusion

Congratulations, you’ve successfully installed and configured your CS:GO server on your VPS/dedicated server! As a next step, we recommend following our Linux Service Setup guide. It explains how to set up your Dedicated Gameserver as a service, with benefits such as automatically starting the server on boot, automatic updates, easy management, and access to logs and much more!

If you have any questions or run into problems, our support team is here to help every day—don’t hesitate to contact us! 🙂

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

You need SSH access to your Linux server and a working SteamCMD installation (see the “SteamCMD Linux Setup” guide).

As the steam user, run steamcmd +force_install_dir '<path>' +login anonymous +app_update 730 validate +quit (Steam app ID 730).

This prevents the server from running with root privileges. The guide uses the steam user and installs everything in that user’s home directory.

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CS:GO Dedicated Server Linux Setup

Introduction

Preparation

Installation

Configuration

Register a GSL Token

Start and Connect to the Server

Conclusion

Frequently asked questions

Software

Preparation

Installation

Configuration

Register a GSL Token

Start and Connect to the Server

Conclusion

Game Server

Servers & Hosting

ZAPX

Resources

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