Counter-Strike 1.6: connect to and set up your server

Here's how to connect to your Counter-Strike 1.6 server and adjust the most important settings.

Connecting

1. Open the server page in the client area and click Start.
2. Wait until the status shows “running”. You can follow the progress in the Console tab.
3. Copy the address (IP:Port) at the top of the server page.
4. Open the console in Counter-Strike (key ~; you may need to enable it in the options first) and enter connect IP:Port. Alternatively, add the address to Favorites in the server browser.

Important settings

In the Startup variables tab:

• Map (SRCDS_MAP) – the start map, e.g. de_dust2.
• Beta branch (SRCDS_BETAID) – leave empty for the current version; steam_legacy for the older version from before the anniversary update.
• Auto update (AUTO_UPDATE) – updates the server on every restart.
• Game Name (HLDS_GAME) – must stay cstrike.

Server name, passwords and game rules are in the file cstrike/server.cfg in the Files tab, for example:

• hostname "My server" – name in the server list
• sv_password "…" – password for joining
• rcon_password "…" – password for admin commands via RCON

Changes take effect on the next restart.

Good to know

• Counter-Strike 1.6 does not need a Steam token (GSLT).
• The server applies a change of beta branch after Manage → Reinstall – create a backup first.
• Upload add-ons such as Metamod or AMX Mod X via SFTP into the cstrike folder.