# How to Add Admins on Your Insurgency: Sandstorm Server (/docs/insurgency-sandstorm/adding-admins)



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Insurgency: Sandstorm supports two methods for server administration: **RCON** (Remote Console) for remote command execution, and the **Admins.txt** file for granting in-game admin privileges to specific players. Most server operators use both.

Method 1: RCON (Remote Console) [#method-1-rcon-remote-console]

RCON lets you execute server commands remotely using an RCON client, without needing to be connected to the server in-game.

Setting Up RCON [#setting-up-rcon]

<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 Insurgency: Sandstorm server. Stop the server.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Configure RCON settings [#2-configure-rcon-settings]

    Click **Startup** in the sidebar. Find and configure the following RCON settings:

    | Setting       | Description                       | Default |
    | ------------- | --------------------------------- | ------- |
    | RCON Port     | The port RCON listens on          | 27015   |
    | RCON Password | Password required to authenticate | (none)  |

    Set a strong, unique RCON password. This password gives full server control — treat it like an admin password.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Save and restart [#3-save-and-restart]

    Click **Save** and start your server.
  </div>
</div>

Connecting via RCON [#connecting-via-rcon]

Once RCON is configured, connect using any Source RCON-compatible client. Popular options include:

* **[HLSW](https://www.hlsw.org/)** — Classic server management tool
* **[mcrcon](https://github.com/Tiiffi/mcrcon)** — Command-line RCON client
* **[Webrcon](https://sourceforge.net/projects/web-rcon/)** — Web-based RCON interface

Connect to your server's IP address on the RCON port (default 27015) and authenticate with your RCON password.

Method 2: Admins.txt File [#method-2-adminstxt-file]

The `Admins.txt` file grants in-game admin privileges to specific players identified by their Steam64 ID.

<div className="fd-steps">
  <div className="fd-step">
    Find the player's Steam64 ID [#1-find-the-players-steam64-id]

    Visit [steamid.io](https://steamid.io/) and search for the player's Steam profile URL or username. Copy their **SteamID64** (a 17-digit number like `76561198012345678`).
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Open the Admins.txt file [#2-open-the-adminstxt-file]

    Log in to the [XGamingServer panel](https://panel.xgamingserver.com) and select your server. Click **Files** in the sidebar and navigate to:

    ```
    Insurgency/Config/Server/
    ```

    Open `Admins.txt`. If it doesn't exist, create a new file called `Admins.txt` in this directory.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Add Steam IDs [#3-add-steam-ids]

    Add one Steam64 ID per line:

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

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

    Save the file and restart your server. The listed players will have admin access the next time they connect.
  </div>
</div>

RCON Commands Reference [#rcon-commands-reference]

Once connected via RCON, you can use the following commands:

Server Management [#server-management]

| Command                | Description                          |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------ |
| `listplayers`          | List all connected players           |
| `kick <PlayerName>`    | Kick a player by name                |
| `ban <PlayerName>`     | Ban a player                         |
| `permban <PlayerName>` | Permanently ban a player             |
| `unban <SteamID>`      | Unban a player by Steam ID           |
| `say <message>`        | Send a server-wide chat message      |
| `restartround`         | Restart the current round            |
| `restartmap`           | Restart the current map              |
| `nextmap`              | Skip to the next map in the rotation |

Map Changes [#map-changes]

| Command                | Description                                                                    |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| `travel <MapScenario>` | [Change to a specific map and scenario](/docs/insurgency-sandstorm/change-map) |
| `maps`                 | List available maps                                                            |
| `scenarios`            | List available scenarios for the current map                                   |

Game Settings [#game-settings]

| Command                               | Description                                   |
| ------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| `gamemodeproperty <Property> <Value>` | Change a game mode setting at runtime         |
| `travelscenario <Scenario>`           | Change the scenario without reloading the map |

Admin Privileges In-Game [#admin-privileges-in-game]

Players listed in `Admins.txt` can access the admin menu in-game:

1. Press **Escape** to open the menu
2. Look for **Admin** options to kick/ban players, change maps, and modify game settings
3. Open the console (`~`) and use commands directly

Security Best Practices [#security-best-practices]

* **Use a strong RCON password** — Anyone with the RCON password has full server control. Use a long, random password.
* **Don't share RCON credentials widely** — Only give RCON access to people who need remote server management.
* **Use Admins.txt for in-game admins** — It's more granular than sharing the RCON password, since it only grants in-game admin access.
* **Change the RCON port** — Using a non-default port adds a small layer of security against automated scans.

> 💡 **Tip:** You can use RCON tools like BattleMetrics for a web-based admin interface that lets you manage your server from a browser, set up chat logging, and configure automated actions.

> 📝 **Note:** Changes to `Admins.txt` require a server restart to take effect. RCON settings changes also require a restart.

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