Ready to play?
Your Server Is
One Click Away.
Pick your game, choose a plan, and start playing in under 60 seconds. No lag, no excuses.
Woof! Let's go!
Ready to play?
Pick your game, choose a plan, and start playing in under 60 seconds. No lag, no excuses.
Woof! Let's go!
Running a CS2 server means typing the same handful of commands again and again: end warmup, restart the match, change the map, add a few bots. This CS2 server commands cheat sheet covers the ones admins actually use in 2026, grouped by job, plus how to make your settings stick so they survive a map change.
mp_warmup_end, mp_restartgame 1, mp_pause_match, mp_unpause_match.changelevel de_mirage, host_workshop_map <id>, and game_type plus game_mode for the mode.bot_add_ct, bot_add_t, bot_kick, bot_quota, bot_difficulty.game/csgo/cfg/server.cfg, match rules in your game mode's override file. Your default mode and map live on the Startup tab.Open your server in the game panel and go to the Console tab. Anything you type there runs as a server command, the same as if you'd typed it into a dedicated server's own window. Separate several commands with semicolons to run them in one go:
mp_warmup_end; mp_restartgame 1
Commands typed in the console are temporary: a restart, and for many settings a map or mode change, puts them back. For anything permanent, see the config file section further down.
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
mp_warmup_end | Ends warmup and starts the match |
mp_restartgame 1 | Restarts the match after 1 second |
mp_pause_match | Pauses the match at the next freeze time |
mp_unpause_match | Resumes a paused match |
mp_maxrounds 24 | Sets the number of rounds (24 is the standard MR12 format) |
mp_overtime_enable 1 | Turns on overtime for tied matches |
mp_freezetime 15 | Seconds of freeze time at the start of each round |
mp_roundtime_defuse 1.92 | Round length in minutes on bomb maps |
mp_startmoney 800 | Starting money for each half |
Change the map without kicking anyone:
changelevel de_ancient
Load a Steam Workshop map by its ID, the number at the end of the map's Workshop link (?id= followed by digits). Replace MAP_ID with that number:
host_workshop_map MAP_ID
The game mode is set by two values, game_type and game_mode. Set both, then change the map to apply them:
| Mode | game_type | game_mode |
|---|---|---|
| Casual | 0 | 0 |
| Competitive | 0 | 1 |
| Wingman | 0 | 2 |
| Arms Race | 1 | 0 |
| Deathmatch | 1 | 2 |
For example, to switch to Deathmatch on Dust II:
game_type 1; game_mode 2; changelevel de_dust2
To make a mode or map your server's default, set Gametype, Gamemode and Map on the Startup tab. Those load every time the server starts.
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
bot_add_ct / bot_add_t | Adds one bot to that team |
bot_kick | Removes all bots |
bot_quota 10 | Keeps 10 bots on the server. Add bot_quota_mode fill to fill up to 10 players instead |
bot_difficulty 2 | Bot skill from 0 (easy) to 3 (expert) |
Many practice commands need cheats on first:
sv_cheats 1
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
sv_infinite_ammo 1 | Unlimited ammo and grenades |
mp_buy_anywhere 1 | Buy anywhere on the map |
mp_respawn_on_death_ct 1 | CTs respawn instantly (use _t for Terrorists) |
sv_grenade_trajectory_prac_pipreview 1 | Shows where a grenade will land before you throw |
bot_stop 1 | Freezes bots in place, handy for practicing spray and prefire |
mp_roundtime_defuse 60 | 60 minute rounds on bomb maps (use mp_roundtime 60 on other maps), then mp_restartgame 1 |
Switch cheats back off with sv_cheats 0 before a real match.
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
status | Lists connected players with their user IDs |
kickid 5 | Kicks the player with user ID 5 (find it with status) |
sv_password "secret" | Sets a join password, leave it empty for none |
hostname "My Server" | Changes the server name in the browser |
tv_enable 1 | Turns on GOTV so others can spectate, from the next map |
tv_delay 90 | Adds a 90 second GOTV delay, a must for competitive matches |
tv_record matchname / tv_stoprecord | Records a demo of the match |
For admin powers in game, like banning from the scoreboard or a !kick chat command, you need an admin plugin. Our CounterStrikeSharp guide walks through installing one.
CS2 reads two kinds of config file, both in game/csgo/cfg:
server.cfg for server-wide settings, like GOTV and team balance.gamemode_competitive_server.cfg for Competitive, gamemode_casual_server.cfg for Casual, and so on. The game mode loads its own defaults after server.cfg, so match rules belong here or they get overwritten.To edit them:
game/csgo/cfg.server.cfg might look like this:mp_autoteambalance 0
mp_limitteams 0
tv_enable 1
tv_delay 90
And a gamemode_competitive_server.cfg like this:
mp_maxrounds 24
mp_overtime_enable 1
Server name, password, default map, game mode and max players live on the Startup tab, which is the easiest place to change them.
A dozen commands cover most CS2 server admin work: warmup, restart, map, mode and bots. Keep this cheat sheet open, save your settings in the right config file, and your server runs your way every time it starts. Want your own? CS2 server hosting on BruceNode gives you full console access and GOTV ready to go, and code BRUCE20 takes 20% off your first month.
Related posts on BruceNode:
mp_buytime 20 | Seconds players can buy after the round starts |
mp_autoteambalance 0 | Stops the server from moving players between teams |
mp_limitteams 0 | Removes the limit on uneven teams |