Config Files
Where your CS2 Pro server keeps its config, which file to edit, and when your changes take effect.
Pro Server Only
Config files are edited over FTP, which is only available on Pro servers. Free servers are configured with commands.
How the Config Works
Your server does not use server.cfg. It loads its own config from the cfg/pro folder, and the Pro Panel builds that file for you.
Over FTP, the folder is cfg/pro. It holds two files for your server, where 1234 stands for your server number (the number in P1234):
| File | What it is |
|---|---|
fshost_template_1234.cfg | Your template. Edit this one. |
<random>_1234.cfg | The file the server loads. It starts with 12 random letters and digits. Do not edit it |
Each time you click Save changes in Game settings, the panel copies your template over the loaded file and fills in the values from the panel. Anything you changed in the loaded file is lost.
Edit the Template
Changes made to <random>_1234.cfg are overwritten the next time anyone saves Game settings. Always edit fshost_template_1234.cfg.
Settings the Panel Controls
Some values come from Game settings. The template has placeholders that the panel fills in. Keep these lines as they are, or the panel setting stops working.
| Placeholder | Filled from |
|---|---|
REPLACE_SERVER_NAME | Hostname |
REPLACE_SV_PASSWORD | Join password |
REPLACE_RCON_PASSWORD | RCON password |
REPLACE_DISCORD_WEBHOOK | Discord webhook URL (optional) under CSTV |
These are set when the server starts, so setting them in the template has no effect:
| Setting | Where to change it |
|---|---|
| Player slots | Slots |
| Game mode and map group | Game mode |
| Start map, Workshop map and collection | Map. See Workshop Maps |
| Bots on or off | Bots |
| VAC | VAC |
| CSTV | Enable CSTV |
Step 1: Connect With FTP
FTP is set up on request. See FTP Access for how to ask for it and how to log in. On CS2 you get two folders, addons and cfg.
Step 2: Download a Backup
Open cfg/pro, download fshost_template_1234.cfg and keep the copy on your computer. A server reinstall resets the template, so keep your copy after every change. See Before You Modify Files.
Step 3: Edit the Template
Open the template in a text editor, such as Notepad++ or VS Code, and add or change the values you want. For example:
mp_maxrounds 24
mp_overtime_enable 1
mp_freezetime 15
sv_alltalk 0Upload the file back to the same folder with the same name.
Step 4: Save Game Settings
- Go to the Pro Panel
- Click on your server name
- Open the Settings tab
- Click Save changes in Game settings
The panel says Saving pushes the config to your server. Restart it for changes to take effect. This copies your template into the file the server loads. You do not have to change any field first.
Restart Alone Is Not Enough
A restart does not rebuild the config. It only loads the file that is already there. Save Game settings first, then restart.
Step 5: Restart the Server
Restart the server from the Pro Panel. Then check a value in the game console:
fake_rcon mp_maxroundsGame Mode Configs
The game mode and match configs, such as the ones loaded by !esl5on5, !scrim and !prac, are separate files in the cfg folder. They can set the same values as your template, so a value you set may change when one of them is loaded. See RCON Commands for the chat commands that load them.
Plugin Configs
CounterStrikeSharp plugin configs are in the addons folder, under addons/counterstrikesharp/configs/plugins/<PluginName>/.
Troubleshooting
My changes are gone
You edited <random>_1234.cfg instead of the template, and someone saved Game settings afterwards. Make the change again in fshost_template_1234.cfg.
My template change has no effect
- Click Save changes in Game settings, then restart. A restart on its own does not copy the template
- Check that the setting is not in the panel-controlled list
- A game mode config or a plugin such as MatchZy may set the same value later. Check the value in game with
fake_rcon <setting>
The server name or password is wrong
A REPLACE_ placeholder is missing from your template. Put the line back from your backup, then save Game settings and restart. If you have no backup, open a ticket on Pro Support.