Host a Counter-Strike 2 Dedicated Server

For over two decades, Counter-Strike has offered an elite competitive experience, one shaped by millions of players from across the globe. And now the next chapter in the CS story is about to begin. This is Counter-Strike 2.

Skip the Setup — Deploy Now or read the full guide below

Requirements Setup Guide Installation

Hardware Requirements

Here's what you need to run a Counter-Strike 2 dedicated server.

Economy

Wingman / small matches, 2-10 players

CPU0.5 cores

RAM2 GB

Storage40 GB SSD

Standard

Competitive 5v5, 10-24 players

CPU1 core

RAM3 GB

Storage40 GB SSD

Pro

Large casual/deathmatch, 24-64 players

CPU2 cores

RAM4 GB

Storage40 GB SSD

Start hosting from your own computer

Run a Counter-Strike 2 server on your desktop, laptop, VPS, or dedicated machine — GameCP automates Docker setup, resource allocation, and Counter-Strike 2 configuration instantly. Automatic port forwarding means your friends can connect without touching your router. Start local, scale to a VPS when you're ready.

Get Started FreeNo credit card required

Setup in 4 Steps

Skip the manual SteamCMD installation, port forwarding, and systemd configuration. Install on your own computer and start hosting instantly.

Step 01

Create a GameCP Account

GameCP gives you a full control panel with Docker containerization, file management, automatic port forwarding, and automatic updates — all built in.

Step 02

Connect Your Hardware

Install GameCP on your own desktop, laptop, VPS, or dedicated machine. One-line install — no SSH expertise needed.

GameCP installs Docker, configures networking, and sets up automatic port forwarding so your friends can connect instantly. Start hosting from your own PC and scale to a VPS later. Supports Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Step 03

Deploy Counter-Strike 2

Select "Counter-Strike 2" from the template library and hit deploy. GameCP handles SteamCMD (App ID: 730), ports, startup commands, and all configuration automatically.

Uses the steamcmd:sniper image. Everything is configured out of the box. ~40 GB storage.

Step 04

Start Playing

Hit start and share your server address. Automatic port forwarding handles the rest — no router config needed.

GameCP provides live SOURCE console access from your browser. Your friends connect using the address GameCP gives you.

The Manual Way vs. GameCP

Manual Setup

✗Install SteamCMD manually
✗Configure 2+ firewall ports and router settings
✗Write systemd service files
✗SSH into server to edit configs
✗Requires a VPS or dedicated server
✗30-60 minutes if experienced

With GameCP

One-click SteamCMD install
Automatic port forwarding — no router config
Host from your own PC, VPS, or dedicated server
Docker container with auto-restart
Visual config editor in browser
Under 5 minutes total

Under the Hood

The full manual process to host a Counter-Strike 2 dedicated server on a VPS. Or install GameCP on your own computer and skip all of this.

Step 1

Configure & Prepare

Set your server settings, then install Docker, SteamCMD, and pull the Counter-Strike 2 container image.

Server ConfigurationEdit values to update all commands

Server NameServer name displayed in the server browser

Max PlayersMaximum number of concurrent players

Game Server Login TokenCreate one with App ID `730` at [Steam GSLT Manage...

VAC SecurityEnable VAC (Valve Anti-Cheat) protection

Enable RCONEnable RCON for external administration tools

Start MapThe map loaded when the server starts.

Game ModeGame mode value. Used with Game Type to determine ...

Game TypeGame type value. Used with Game Mode to determine ...

Bot QuotaMaximum number of bots. Set to 0 to disable bots.

Bot Quota ModeHow bots fill the server.

Bot DifficultyBot AI difficulty level.

RCON PasswordPassword for remote console (RCON) access.

Server PasswordIf set, players must enter this password to join t...

Auto UpdateAutomatically update the server on startup

terminal

# Update system and install Docker
sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y docker.io
sudo systemctl enable --now docker

# Create game server directory
sudo mkdir -p /opt/gameserver

# Install SteamCMD
sudo mkdir -p /opt/steamcmd
curl -sqL "https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz" | sudo tar zxvf - -C /opt/steamcmd

# Server configuration
export MAX_PLAYERS="12"
export VAC_ENABLED="1"
export RCON_ENABLED="0"
export SRCDS_MAP="de_dust2"
export GAME_MODE="1"
export GAME_TYPE="0"
export BOT_QUOTA="0"
export BOT_QUOTA_MODE="fill"
export BOT_DIFFICULTY="1"
export AUTO_UPDATE="1"

# Pull the container image
docker pull ghcr.io/ptero-eggs/steamcmd:sniper

Step 2

Install Server Files via SteamCMD

Download the Counter-Strike 2 dedicated server using Steam App ID 730.

terminal

# Download Counter-Strike 2 server files (App ID: 730)
/opt/steamcmd/steamcmd.sh \
  +force_install_dir /opt/gameserver \
  +login anonymous \
  +app_update 730 validate \
  +quit

Step 3

Open Firewall Ports

Counter-Strike 2 requires 2 ports to be open for game traffic and queries.

terminal

sudo ufw allow 27015/both
sudo ufw allow 27020/both

27015/BOTH(PORT)27020/BOTH(TV_PORT)

Step 4

Launch the Server

Start the Counter-Strike 2 server using the configuration from Step 1.

Create the startup script

terminal

# Create the startup script
cat > /opt/gameserver/start.sh << 'EOF'
#!/bin/bash

# 1. Setup Environment
export LD_LIBRARY_PATH="/game/bin/linuxsteamrt64:"

# 2. Build Argument Array
PARAMS=(
"-dedicated"
"-ip" "0.0.0.0"
"-port" "27015"
"-tv_port" ""
"-maxplayers" "12:-12}"
)

# 3. Add Conditional Arguments
[[ "1" == "1" ]] || PARAMS+=("-insecure")
[[ "0" == "1" ]] && PARAMS+=("-usercon")

# 4. Add CVARs
PARAMS+=(
"+game_mode" "1:-1}"
"+game_type" "0:-0}"
"+map" "de_dust2:-de_dust2}"
"+hostname" ""
"+sv_password" ":-}"
"+rcon_password" ""
"+bot_quota" "0:-0}"
"+bot_quota_mode" "0_MODE:-fill}"
"+bot_difficulty" "1:-1}"
)

# 5. GSLT Logic
[[ -n "" ]] && PARAMS+=("+sv_setsteamaccount" "")

# 6. Execution Loop (Auto-Restart on Crash)
echo "Starting CS2 Server: "

until ./game/bin/linuxsteamrt64/cs2 "[@]}"; do
echo "Server crashed with exit code $?. Respawning in 5 seconds..."
sleep 5
done
EOF
chmod +x /opt/gameserver/start.sh

Run the container

terminal

docker run -d \
  --name counter-strike-2-server \
  -p 27015:27015/both \
  -p 27020:27020/both \
  -e MAX_PLAYERS="12" \
  -e VAC_ENABLED="1" \
  -e RCON_ENABLED="0" \
  -e SRCDS_MAP="de_dust2" \
  -e GAME_MODE="1" \
  -e GAME_TYPE="0" \
  -e BOT_QUOTA="0" \
  -e BOT_QUOTA_MODE="fill" \
  -e BOT_DIFFICULTY="1" \
  -e AUTO_UPDATE="1" \
  -v /opt/gameserver:/opt/gameserver \
  -w /opt/gameserver \
  ghcr.io/ptero-eggs/steamcmd:sniper \
  ./start.sh

Alternative startup profiles:

Competitive (128 Tick) — Optimized for competitive play. Higher tickrate for more responsive gameplay. Best for 5v5 matches.
Casual (64 Tick) — Standard casual server settings. Lower resource usage, suitable for public servers with many players.

GameCP lets you switch between these profiles with one click.

Or skip all of this

GameCP automates every step above: Docker, SteamCMD, port forwarding, startup, and config. Install on your own PC and deploy a Counter-Strike 2 server in under 5 minutes.

Deploy with GameCP