# How To Add Admins to Your Barotrauma Server (/docs/barotrauma/adding-admins)



Barotrauma uses a permissions file (`clientpermissions.xml`) to manage admin access. Admins can manage rounds, kick/ban players, use console commands, and more.

Method 1: Edit clientpermissions.xml (Recommended) [#method-1-edit-clientpermissionsxml-recommended]

<div className="fd-steps">
  <div className="fd-step">
    Stop Your Server [#1-stop-your-server]

    Make sure your server is fully stopped before editing permission files.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Get the Player's SteamID64 [#2-get-the-players-steamid64]

    You need the player's SteamID64 — a 17-digit number starting with `7656`.

    Find it at [steamid.io](https://steamid.io/) by searching their Steam profile URL or username.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Open Files [#3-open-files]

    In the [XGamingServer Panel](https://panel.xgamingserver.com), click **Files** and navigate to `Data/clientpermissions.xml`.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Add the Admin Entry [#4-add-the-admin-entry]

    Add a `<Client>` line inside the `<ClientPermissions>` block:

    ```xml
    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
    <ClientPermissions>
      <Client name="PlayerName" steamid="76561198000000001" preset="Admin" />
      <Client name="ModeratorName" steamid="76561198000000002" preset="Moderator" />
    </ClientPermissions>
    ```

    * `name` — the player's display name (label only; SteamID is what actually identifies them)
    * `steamid` — the player's SteamID64
    * `preset` — permission level (see below)
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Save and Start Your Server [#5-save-and-start-your-server]

    Start your server — permissions take effect when the player joins.

    ***
  </div>
</div>

Permission Presets [#permission-presets]

Moderator [#moderator]

Can manage gameplay and players:

* Start/end rounds
* Kick players
* Select submarine and game mode
* Manage campaign settings
* Console commands: `kick`, `kickid`, `clientlist`, `gamemode`, `sub`, `difficulty`, `respawnnow`, `traitorlist`

Admin [#admin]

Everything Moderator can do, plus:

* Ban/unban players
* Manage server settings and other players' permissions
* Karma immunity (unaffected by karma penalties)
* Extended commands: `ban`, `unban`, `spawn`, `heal`, `revive`, `godmode`, `teleportcharacter`, `mute`, `unmute`, `freeze`, `fixitems`, `fixhulls`, `power`, `oxygen`, `explosion`

God [#god]

Full control — everything Admin can do, plus:

* Grant/revoke permissions for other players
* All commands including: `giverank`, `autorestart`, `botcount`, `botspawnmode`, `servermsg`, `togglekarma`, `setkarma`, `resetkarma`, `showkarma`, `restart`, `endgame`

***

Method 2: Console Commands (In-Game) [#method-2-console-commands-in-game]

If you already have God-level permissions, manage permissions live without stopping the server.

Open the **Console** in the panel or press **F3** in-game:

```
# Assign a full rank
giverank [PlayerName] [Moderator/Admin/God]

# Grant a specific permission
giveperm [PlayerName] [permission]

# Grant access to a specific command
givecommandperm [PlayerName] [commandname]

# Remove all permissions
revokeperm [PlayerName]
```

> 📝 **Note:** Changes made via console are saved to `clientpermissions.xml` automatically.

***

Fine-Grained Permissions [#fine-grained-permissions]

Instead of a preset, specify exact permissions and allowed commands:

```xml
<Client name="PlayerName" steamid="76561198000000001"
        permissions="ManageRound, ConsoleCommands, Kick, Ban">
  <command name="heal" />
  <command name="spawn" />
  <command name="kick" />
</Client>
```

Available permissions: `ManageRound`, `Kick`, `Ban`, `ManagePermissions`, `ConsoleCommands`, `ManageSettings`, `ManageCampaign`, `SelectSub`, `SelectMode`, `ServerLog`, `KarmaImmunity`

***

> 💡 **Tip:** Have the player join your server, then run `clientlist` in the console — it shows all connected players and their SteamIDs.

> 💡 **Tip:** Need help? Join our [Discord](https://discord.xgamingserver.com) for support.