Host a Garry's Mod Dedicated Server

Garry's Mod is a physics sandbox. There aren't any predefined aims or goals. We give you the tools and leave you to play.

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 Garry's Mod dedicated server.

Economy

Small sandbox, 2-12 players

CPU0.25 cores

RAM512 MB

Storage10 GB

Standard

Community server, 12-32 players

CPU0.5 cores

RAM1 GB

Storage10 GB

Pro

Large public server, 32-64 players

CPU1 core

RAM4 GB

Storage10 GB

Start hosting from your own computer

Run a Garry's Mod server on your desktop, laptop, VPS, or dedicated machine — GameCP automates Docker setup, resource allocation, and Garry's Mod 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 Garry's Mod

Select "Garry's Mod" from the template library and hit deploy. GameCP handles SteamCMD (App ID: 4020), ports, startup commands, and all configuration automatically.

Includes pre-configured server.cfg. Uses the games:source image. ~10 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 1+ 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 Garry's Mod 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 Garry's Mod 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 `4020` at [Steam GSLT Manag...

MapThe default map for the server

GamemodeThe gamemode for the server (e.g. sandbox, terrort...

Workshop Collection IDWorkshop collection ID (the numbers at the end of ...

TickrateServer tickrate. Higher values increase precision ...

Lua RefreshEnable Lua auto-refresh for development

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="24"
export SRCDS_MAP="gm_flatgrass"
export GAMEMODE="sandbox"
export TICKRATE="22"
export LUA_REFRESH="0"

# Pull the container image
docker pull ghcr.io/ptero-eggs/games:source

Step 2

Install Server Files via SteamCMD

Download the Garry's Mod dedicated server using Steam App ID 4020.

terminal

# Download Garry's Mod server files (App ID: 4020)
/opt/steamcmd/steamcmd.sh \
  +force_install_dir /opt/gameserver \
  +login anonymous \
  +app_update 4020 validate \
  +quit

Step 3

Open Firewall Ports

Garry's Mod requires 1 port to be open for game traffic and queries.

terminal

sudo ufw allow 27015/both

27015/BOTH(PORT)

Step 4

Launch the Server

Start the Garry's Mod server using the configuration from Step 1.

terminal

docker run -d \
  --name garrys-mod-server \
  -p 27015:27015/both \
  -e MAX_PLAYERS="24" \
  -e SRCDS_MAP="gm_flatgrass" \
  -e GAMEMODE="sandbox" \
  -e TICKRATE="22" \
  -e LUA_REFRESH="0" \
  -v /opt/gameserver:/opt/gameserver \
  -w /opt/gameserver \
  ghcr.io/ptero-eggs/games:source \
  ./srcds_run -game garrysmod -console -port 27015 +ip 0.0.0.0 +host_workshop_collection +map gm_flatgrass +gamemode sandbox -strictportbind -norestart +sv_setsteamaccount +maxplayers 24 -tickrate 22

Alternative startup profiles:

High Tickrate (100) — High performance tickrate. Better physics and addon responsiveness. Recommended for serious RP or combat servers.

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 Garry's Mod server in under 5 minutes.

Deploy with GameCP