# How to Add Admins on Your Ground Branch Server (/docs/ground-branch/adding-admins)



import { Step, Steps } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/steps';

Admin access on a Ground Branch server allows you to manage players, change maps, kick or ban disruptive players, and control the server remotely. You can grant admin access through RCON (Remote Console) using an admin password, or by adding Steam IDs to the admin configuration file.

Setting Up RCON Admin Access [#setting-up-rcon-admin-access]

RCON lets you manage the server remotely using an admin password. This is the quickest way to get admin access running.

<div className="fd-steps">
  <div className="fd-step">
    Open the XGamingServer panel [#1-open-the-xgamingserver-panel]

    Log in to the [XGamingServer panel](https://panel.xgamingserver.com) and select your Ground Branch server.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Go to Startup [#2-go-to-startup]

    In the sidebar, click `Startup`.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Set the admin password [#3-set-the-admin-password]

    Find the **Admin Password** field and enter a strong password. This corresponds to the `-ServerAdminPassword=` startup parameter.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Save and restart [#4-save-and-restart]

    Save your changes and restart the server.

    > 📝 **Note:** The admin password is separate from the [server password](/docs/ground-branch/set-a-password). The server password controls who can join, while the admin password controls who can manage the server.
  </div>
</div>

Using RCON In-Game [#using-rcon-in-game]

Once the admin password is set, you can authenticate in-game:

<div className="fd-steps">
  <div className="fd-step">
    Connect to your server [#1-connect-to-your-server]

    [Join your Ground Branch server](/docs/ground-branch/connect-to-your-server) as normal.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Open the console [#2-open-the-console]

    Press the **tilde key** (`~`) to open the console.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Authenticate as admin [#3-authenticate-as-admin]

    Type the following command:

    ```
    adminlogin YourAdminPassword
    ```

    Replace `YourAdminPassword` with the admin password you set in the startup parameters.

    You'll see a confirmation message when successfully authenticated.
  </div>
</div>

Adding Admins via Steam ID [#adding-admins-via-steam-id]

For persistent admin access that doesn't require entering a password each session, you can add Steam IDs to the server's admin configuration:

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

    Stop your server from the XGamingServer panel.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Navigate to Files [#2-navigate-to-files]

    In the sidebar, go to `Files`.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Find the admin config [#3-find-the-admin-config]

    Navigate to the server configuration directory:

    ```
    GroundBranch/ServerConfig/
    ```

    Look for the admin list or admins configuration file.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Add Steam IDs [#4-add-steam-ids]

    Add the Steam64 IDs of players you want to grant admin access, one per line:

    ```
    76561198012345678
    76561198087654321
    ```
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Save and start [#5-save-and-start]

    Save the file and start your server.

    > 💡 **Tip:** To find a player's Steam64 ID, visit [steamid.io](https://steamid.io/) and enter their Steam profile URL. You'll need the 17-digit Steam64 ID format.
  </div>
</div>

Admin Commands Reference [#admin-commands-reference]

Once authenticated as admin, you have access to server management commands through the console:

Player Management [#player-management]

| Command            | Description                                      |
| ------------------ | ------------------------------------------------ |
| `listplayers`      | Lists all connected players with their IDs       |
| `kick <playerID>`  | Kicks a player from the server (they can rejoin) |
| `ban <playerID>`   | Bans a player from the server                    |
| `unban <playerID>` | Removes a ban, allowing the player to rejoin     |

Server Management [#server-management]

| Command              | Description                         |
| -------------------- | ----------------------------------- |
| `servertravel <map>` | Changes the current map             |
| `gamemode <mode>`    | Changes the game mode               |
| `say <message>`      | Broadcasts a message to all players |
| `pause`              | Pauses the game                     |
| `disconnect`         | Disconnects all players             |

Map Change Examples [#map-change-examples]

```
servertravel SmallTown
servertravel Compound
servertravel Depot
```

See the [change map guide](/docs/ground-branch/change-map) for a full list of available maps and how to set the default map.

Using External RCON Tools [#using-external-rcon-tools]

You can also manage your server using external RCON tools without being connected to the game:

<div className="fd-steps">
  <div className="fd-step">
    Get your server IP and RCON port [#1-get-your-server-ip-and-rcon-port]

    Find your server IP on the XGamingServer panel. The RCON port is typically the game port.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Connect with an RCON client [#2-connect-with-an-rcon-client]

    Use an RCON client (such as mcrcon or a web-based RCON tool) and enter:

    * **Host:** Your server IP
    * **Port:** Your RCON port
    * **Password:** Your admin password
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Send commands [#3-send-commands]

    Once connected, you can send the same admin commands listed above.

    > 📝 **Note:** External RCON access is useful for managing the server when you're not in-game, such as during scheduled events or automated tasks.
  </div>
</div>

Best Practices for Admin Management [#best-practices-for-admin-management]

* **Limit admin access** — Only give admin to trusted members of your community
* **Use strong passwords** — Your admin password should be different from your [server password](/docs/ground-branch/set-a-password) and hard to guess
* **Log admin actions** — Check the server console on the XGamingServer panel to review admin commands that were used
* **Rotate passwords periodically** — If someone leaves your admin team, change the admin password

If you get stuck at any time, you can join our [Discord](https://discord.xgamingserver.com/).