Host a SCP: Secret Laboratory Dedicated Server

SCP: Secret Laboratory is a multiplayer horror game based on the SCP Foundation universe. Escape as a scientist, guard the facility as security, or unleash chaos as an SCP entity. Features multiple classes, containment zones, and intense asymmetric gameplay.

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 SCP: Secret Laboratory dedicated server.

Economy

Small server, 1-10 players

CPU1.5 cores

RAM4 GB

Storage5 GB

Standard

Medium server, 10-20 players

CPU2 cores

RAM6 GB

Storage5 GB

Pro

Large server, 20-25 players

CPU3 cores

RAM8 GB

Storage5 GB

Start hosting from your own computer

Run a SCP: Secret Laboratory server on your desktop, laptop, VPS, or dedicated machine — GameCP automates Docker setup, resource allocation, and SCP: Secret Laboratory 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 SCP: Secret Laboratory

Select "SCP: Secret Laboratory" from the template library and hit deploy. GameCP handles SteamCMD (App ID: 996560), ports, startup commands, and all configuration automatically.

Includes pre-configured config_gameplay.txt. Uses the yolks:mono_latest image. ~5 GB storage.

Step 04

Start Playing

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

GameCP monitors your server health and provides live logs 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 SCP: Secret Laboratory 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 SCP: Secret Laboratory container image.

Server ConfigurationEdit values to update all commands

Server NameServer name displayed in the server browser

Contact EmailContact email for the server. Required for the ser...

EXILED VersionEXILED framework version to install. Set to 'lates...

EXILED Pre-ReleasesInclude EXILED pre-release versions when set to la...

Auto UpdateAutomatically update the server on restart. Set to...

Beta BranchInstall a specific beta branch. Leave empty for st...

Beta Branch PasswordPassword for the beta branch, if required.

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 CONTACT_EMAIL="will@gamecp.com"
export EXILED_VERSION="latest"
export EXILED_PRE_RELEASES="0"
export AUTO_UPDATE="1"

# Pull the container image
docker pull ghcr.io/ptero-eggs/yolks:mono_latest

Step 2

Install Server Files via SteamCMD

Download the SCP: Secret Laboratory dedicated server using Steam App ID 996560.

terminal

# Download SCP: Secret Laboratory server files (App ID: 996560)
/opt/steamcmd/steamcmd.sh \
  +force_install_dir /opt/gameserver \
  +login anonymous \
  +app_update 996560 -beta ${SRCDS_BETAID} -betapassword ${SRCDS_BETAPASS} validate \
  +quit

Step 3

Open Firewall Ports

SCP: Secret Laboratory requires 1 port to be open for game traffic and queries.

terminal

sudo ufw allow 7777/udp

7777/UDP(PORT)

Step 4

Launch the Server

Start the SCP: Secret Laboratory server using the configuration from Step 1.

terminal

docker run -d \
  --name scp-secret-laboratory-server \
  -p 7777:7777/udp \
  -e CONTACT_EMAIL="will@gamecp.com" \
  -e EXILED_VERSION="latest" \
  -e EXILED_PRE_RELEASES="0" \
  -e AUTO_UPDATE="1" \
  -v /opt/gameserver:/opt/gameserver \
  -w /opt/gameserver \
  ghcr.io/ptero-eggs/yolks:mono_latest \
  ./LocalAdmin 7777

Alternative startup profiles:

EXILED — SCP:SL with EXILED plugin framework. Auto-updates EXILED on each boot before launching.

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 SCP: Secret Laboratory server in under 5 minutes.

Deploy with GameCP

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Ready to Host Your SCP: Secret Laboratory Server?

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Host SCP: Secret Laboratory from your own computer. Automatic port forwarding. Zero config.

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Host a SCP: Secret Laboratory Dedicated Server

# 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 CONTACT_EMAIL="will@gamecp.com" export EXILED_VERSION="latest" export EXILED_PRE_RELEASES="0" export AUTO_UPDATE="1" # Pull the container image docker pull ghcr.io/ptero-eggs/yolks:mono_latest

# Download SCP: Secret Laboratory server files (App ID: 996560) /opt/steamcmd/steamcmd.sh \ +force_install_dir /opt/gameserver \ +login anonymous \ +app_update 996560 -beta ${SRCDS_BETAID} -betapassword ${SRCDS_BETAPASS} validate \ +quit

docker run -d \ --name scp-secret-laboratory-server \ -p 7777:7777/udp \ -e CONTACT_EMAIL="will@gamecp.com" \ -e EXILED_VERSION="latest" \ -e EXILED_PRE_RELEASES="0" \ -e AUTO_UPDATE="1" \ -v /opt/gameserver:/opt/gameserver \ -w /opt/gameserver \ ghcr.io/ptero-eggs/yolks:mono_latest \ ./LocalAdmin 7777