What command installs the Team Fortress 2 server with SteamCMD?

As the steam user, run steamcmd +force_install_dir ' ' +login anonymous +app_update 232250 validate +quit (Steam app ID 232250).

Where can I edit the server configuration?

In the server.cfg file at /home/steam/tf2-ds/tf2/tf/cfg/server.cfg.

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

To allow other players to join your server, you need to generate and add a Game Server Login Token (GSLT). It authenticates your server with Steam. Create one at steamcommunity.com/dev/managegameservers using the correct game ID (232250), then add it to your server startup parameters.

Dedicated Server: Team Fortress 2 Dedicated Server Linux Setup

Find out how to quickly and easily set up a Team Fortress 2 Dedicated Server on your Linux VPS → Learn more now

10 November 20262 min read0 Views0 helpful

Introduction

Do you have a Linux VPS and want to install the Team Fortress 2 Dedicated Server 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’ll use Ubuntu as an example, but the process is very similar on other distributions.

Dedicated Server: Team Fortress 2 Dedicated Server Linux Setup

Preparation

First, connect to your VPS 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 you’re logged in, you can start the installation with the following command. This installs the server directly through SteamCMD as the steam user.

Code

steamcmd +force_install_dir '/home/steam/tf2-ds' +login anonymous +app_update 232250 validate +quit

Please wait for the download to finish—it may take a while for larger games. If everything worked, a confirmation message will appear.

Configuration

You’ve now completed the basic installation of your Team Fortress 2 server. You can configure additional server settings directly in the startup file.

Switch to your root directory. In the cfg folder, you’ll find the server.cfg file, which you can open to customize the server options.

Code

nano /home/steam/tf2-ds/tf2/tf/cfg/server.cfg

Register a GSL Token

To allow other players to connect to 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 the game ID 232250 for Team Fortress 2.

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

Start and Connect to the Server

You can now start your server. Switch to the main game directory and run the following startup command:

Code

./srcds_run -console -game tf -secure +maxplayers 22 +map de_dust +sv_setsteamaccount XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

You should now see logs in the terminal indicating 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]:2456.

Conclusion

Congratulations, you’ve successfully installed and configured your Team Fortress 2 server on your VPS! 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 automatic startup when your server boots, automatic updates, easy management, access to logs, and much more!

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

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

You’ll need SSH access to your Linux server and a one-time SteamCMD setup (see the “SteamCMD Linux Setup” guide).

As the steam user, run steamcmd +force_install_dir '<path>' +login anonymous +app_update 232250 validate +quit (Steam app ID 232250).

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

Feedback

Was this article helpful?

Your feedback helps us prioritize and improve content.

0 of 0 Users found this article helpful.

Personal support

Need more help than the guide provides?

Our ZAP support team knows your product — briefly describe your issue and we'll help you personally.

Which 🍪 cookies would you like to allow?

Dedicated Server: Team Fortress 2 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

ZAP-Hosting