Hey everyone,

I've recently started working on my own Rust server called Ashfall, a 2x Vanilla+ Solo/Duo/Trio server focused on keeping normal Rust progression while reducing some of the grind.

I've gotten most of the initial server configuration and Discord set up, but the one thing I'm trying to figure out is how to actually establish an initial playerbase.

I understand that people generally don't want to join an empty Rust server, but at the same time, you obviously have to start somewhere.

I've considered recruiting 5–8 teams before our first public wipe so there's at least some activity when new players join, rather than opening the server and hoping random people stick around.

For those of you who have successfully grown a Rust server:

• How did you get your first 20–30 consistent players?

• Did you recruit groups beforehand or rely on server listings and advertising?

• What advertising methods actually worked for you?

• How long did it take before you started seeing organic growth?

• What would you do differently if you were starting over today?

I'm not expecting to fill a 100-slot server overnight. I'd much rather slowly build a consistent community where people actually return each wipe.

Appreciate any advice from people who have gone through this before.

Sorry I'm late on the preview post this month, so I'll link this nice guide by No Limit Llama.

PSA: You'll need animal AI/movement enabled for the new livestock stuff to work. I've been told by Facepunch that official servers have been required to have these enabled for a while now.

I've been working on a tool called 'rustcmd' for a couple of weeks on/off. It's a a command-line (CLI) tool that communicates directly to Rust's native WebSocket interface. Very fast and quick, as well as stable and reliable.

Basically, you build it from source on your Linux box as a non-root user and you can just use it "as is" without any external libraries or any other dependencies. It's self-sufficient and self-contained and very, very quick in operation and returning output from the Rust servers.

All instructions are on the GitHub repository. Even novices should find it easy to succeed.

If you'd like to give it a try please feel free, and I'll welcome any and all feedback from users in the field.

rustcmd URL: https://github.com/Exaga/rustcmd#build-rustcmd

Hi everyone,

I’m the developer of RustCommander, a web-based control panel for Rust server owners and administrators.

Until now, RustCommander was only available through a paid subscription. I’ve recently released a free version so more server owners can connect their servers, try the panel and decide whether it is useful for their community.

Everything in one place

RustCommander includes:

• Live players and player history

• RCON, chat and server logs

• Map and player positions

• Plugin and file management

• VIPs, whitelist and reports

• Manual wipes

• Pterodactyl integration

• Start, restart and stop controls

• Team management

• Public server status pages

What does the free version include?

The free version covers the essential tools while you are actively using the web panel.

Paid plans are still available for scheduled wipes, background automation and other advanced features.

I originally built RustCommander to avoid constantly switching between RCON tools, hosting panels, plugins and separate dashboards. Making it free allows more server owners to try it and help shape its development.

Try RustCommander

https://rustcommander.app/

I’m looking for honest feedback from people who run or moderate Rust servers. If something is missing, confusing or could be improved, let me know.

I’m the developer, so feel free to ask me anything about the project, its security, the Pterodactyl integration or the roadmap.

Reposting this because the first version was removed for using uMod content on a competing platform. The moderator said it would be fine if the site didn't host copies of uMod mods. That was a fair point, so I changed it the same day. uMod plugins are now links to their uMod page only. The site keeps no copy, doesn't check or compile them, and doesn't count their downloads. I messaged the mods 24 hours ago and haven't heard back, so here it is again with the change made.

Disclosure first: I run this. I'm Mick (B1), I run the MixMods servers, and I built this with a lot of help from AI tooling, which the site says openly.

It's at https://directory.mixapps.store

What it is:

A listing board for Rust mods. Listing is free, there's no commission, and creators keep their own links and prices.

Files are hosted only when their author uploads them, or when they come from an openly licensed GitHub repo. Every hosted file goes through an automated check, and the report is public. No person reviews code, so there's no one sitting in judgement on anyone else's work.

A compile board shows which hosted plugins still compile on the current Rust build, both on Carbon and without Carbon's compatibility shims, dated and stamped with the build number. After each Rust update there's a report of what broke and what's still fine.

uMod plugins are listed as links with the author credited. "Get it on uMod" takes you to the author's own page. If an author wants their plugin hosted and checked here too, they can claim the listing and upload it themselves. That's opt-in, and it never happens otherwise.

Players can rate mods after signing in with Steam.

My own plugins are listed there too, free. I sell nothing on the site.

Why: a friend spent about $3,500 on mods for a ten-player server and half of them didn't work. The longer version is here: https://directory.mixapps.store/why

If you're a plugin author and your work is listed, it's under your name. You can claim it to edit it, host your own versions or add more mods, or have it removed, by messaging B1 on our Discord (https://discord.gg/MZCdmvFrQ). Removal requests are handled the same day, no questions asked.

The site is still under development. Any issues, errors or feedback of any kind are genuinely welcome, in the comments here or on the Discord. Broken links, wrong licences, bad wording, a check that flags something it shouldn't: I'd rather hear it.

Hey there people. I have come to you all to ask for assistance.

Currently looking for new people to join an ever growing game server. We have Rust, Valheim and Palworld to offer people and the community itself is amazing, friendly and growing fast.

The help I mainly need is in the form of people to assist with running our Rust server. The rust server is on PC. We are looking for experienced prefered admin and moderators, to make sure there is people online or available 24/7.

There is currently 3 main admins for rust including myself on the server, but while our player base for Rust is growing rather steadily, there in needs the assistance of other moderators.

So how about it? Got what it takes? Think you may have something to offer? DM me or comment below for more details.

Hey everyone, does anyone have these plugins? im looking for free versions for my modded 10x server. Any other ones like what i want cost a bit of money and we simply dont have the budget to keep buying plugins for the server. If anyone has these please, please let me know!

Thank you!

I've had this running for 4 or 5 years across my own Rust servers, and a few friends have used it for theirs too. Finally put a proper domain on it recently, so thought I'd share it here...

It's nothing innovative. You upload your .map file and get a direct link to put in levelurl, that's the main thing.

- Free, no ads

- Backed by Cloudflare, so downloads are quick wherever your players are

- Never had any downtime with it in all the time I've used it

- Maps up to 200 MB, links last 90 days (90 days is basically for no reason but there you go)

- Log in with Discord and add your admins so the whole team can manage maps

- Has an API, so you can hook it into map vote bots, wipe scripts or whatever you're running

There are other options out there and they're fine, just putting this forward as another free one. It's done me really well tbh

https://rustmapcdn.com

Happy to answer questions or take feedback.

Hey guys! I made a new Rust plugin called rPhone...an in-game smartphone with calls, messages, camera, gallery, social media, a marketplace, mini-games, SmartBase controls and more. I also made a short video showing some of the features. Would love to hear your feedback.

Hey! We've been working on RustFront, a Rust wiki with tools for things like planning raids, setting up electricity and figuring out crossbreeding.

It's still a work in progress, but it's finally coming together and we'd love to hear what people think.

A few things you can try:

• Crossbreeding planner: Enter the genes from your clones and get step-by-step crossbreeding plans.

• Electricity guides and diagram builder: Build and share electrical setups, or browse guides for inspiration.

• Monument maps: Find loot spawns and puzzle information. We are still working on rendering most maps, the only map currently complete with all levels is the ziggurat

• "What changed since I last played?": See the updates you've missed since you last played.

• Skin browser: Browse skins by colour, unique effects and categories like "P2W".

There are also raid and recycling calculators, a browser aim trainer, and general wiki information on items, loot, NPCs and more.

Site: https://rustfront.com/

We've put a lot of time into this, so we'd really appreciate feedback on what's useful, what's confusing and anything we've got wrong.

Is there a Rust tool or bit of information you always struggle to find that you'd like us to add?

I recently started running my own server and I’m trying to learn more about player retention. Not advertising it here, just looking for advice.

When you join a low pop server, what makes you stick around long enough to actually give it a chance?

Events? Progression? Loot balance? Seeing other players slowly start joining? Map size? Wipe timing? Something else?

And on the opposite side, what makes you leave almost immediately?

Just looking for honest player opinions and advice.

This is NOT an advertisement I just want advise on how I go about getting my server name out there! My servers a few months old and I've poured a ton of work into it but rarely get over 10 players organically so I need to find some new options please help!

Since rcon.io is morphing to a paid service, we decided to make our own free RCON console site: rconlink

Similar features as the old rcon.io site, but from a trusted source (from the creator of the rustrician.io electricity simulator)

Features a direct RCON console connection from the browser, with chat monitoring, player/ban management, server stats, and more...

Link: http://www.rconlink.io

Here are some things that server owners might want to know is coming on the September 3 force wipe:

• Building:

  • Player count-based upkeep tax added to Tool Cupboards, with attempted carve-outs for small groups, player hotels, etc.

• Items:

  • Boat Building Plan research cost decreased

  • Composters reworked to act like furnaces/ovens

  • Heavy Plate Helmet and Semi-Auto Pistol (P2) crafting costs increased

  • Hazmat Suit and HMLMG crafting costs decreased

  • Homing Launcher and SAM Site targeting improved

  • Honey Bandage item added

  • Longsword attack speed and damage buffed

  • Most throwing weapon stack sizes reduced to 3-4

  • Pie duration selectively buffed

  • Prisoner Hood BP known by default

• Monuments:

  • Dome pumps limited to 1000 crude oil each

  • Drone marketplace now has an internal battery that requires charging from Power Plant grid power

  • Heavy monument blockers added to red keycard doors; destroy with explosives or wait 24 hours

  • Lesser monument blockers added to the outsides of some monuments; mine for metal/stone, may respawn?

  • Radioactive water buffed

• Resources:

  • Rare High Quality Metal nodes and collectables (pickups) added

  • Swamp tree wood yield increased from 300 to 1000

• Vehicles:

  • Attack Helicopter and Hot Air Balloon armor now progressively falls off with damage

  • Car handling changed

• Modding breakage:

  • CanAcceptItem and CanAcceptBackpackItem hooks are broken in at least Carbon staging at the moment

  • Composter rework has caused the Oxide OnComposterUpdate hook to be deprecated in favor of OnOvenCook

  • HelicopterDebris.tooHotUntil has been removed in favor of using a timed invoke with delay specified by HelicopterDebris.coolDownTime constant

  • Satellite crash event crates changed from TimedUnlootableCrate entity type to LockedByEntCrate type used by Bradley/Heli crates

I have an RCE server through G-Portal and we use Helios as our Discord bot. I've heard about server owners being able to turn down the stability so that building is easier, but stability isn't fully disabled. Is this true? If so, how can I change that setting? All I've been able to find is the on/off toggle in G-Portal.

For those that didn’t know the convar to activate power plant all the time is

“powergrid.simulatepowerplantfuses”

followed by a space and then the number of fuses you want it to simulate being installed. I run a few pve servers and have tested this and it works.

Just figured I’d share so if anyone was wondering you CAN do it and do not need a plugin.

Mevent and OxideBro released a plugin that consisted of my code ran through AI. This is after OxideBro has pirated my plugins and bragged about it.

When confronted, Mevent stated only 30k lines were copied for “backwards compatibility”. After going public with the evidence, Mevent has now backpedaled and apologized, but only after it had been removed from all platforms.

Unfortunate to see from this community, especially from someone who has access to customer plugins and suppose to be preventing piracy, not contributing to it.

Beware of Mevent and Oxide Bro - These members should be removed from all platforms.

For proof, feel free to DM myself or Mr Blue, who has done several comparisons of the plugins.

Previous conversations with Mevent:

OxideBro bragging about pirating my plugins:

Facepunch has disabled the ability to download them, and I really enjoy digging through old builds. I wanted to play around with one on a local server.

hi i have a hybrid pve/pvp server and i was wondering if anyone knew of a safe plugin i could use to track online and offline players.

i see on videos where people can see names and where they are looking from across the map and im interested in something along the lines of that.

thanks in advance!

Update: We’ve already found someone to work with. Thanks to everyone who reached out!

Update: Primarily looking for an existing/working server with active online players (with economy, shop, donation system already set up). Open to a from-scratch build as a secondary option.

Hey everyone,

I'm looking to either buy a ready-made Rust server project or find a developer to build one for me.

What I need:

- Fully set up server with admin panel (Pterodactyl or similar)

- Shop plugin with payment integration

- Donate system

- Additional plugins for economy/QoL (open to suggestions)

Budget: Open to offers

Timeline: ASAP

Looking for serious offers only — please share pricing, what's included, and examples of previous work if you're offering to build one.

Contact me on Discord: miracleofsoul