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 before editing config files.
Navigate to the config folder [#2-navigate-to-the-config-folder]
Click **Files** in the sidebar and navigate to:
```
Insurgency/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/
```
Open the config file [#3-open-the-config-file]
The main configuration files are:
| File | Purpose |
| -------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `Game.ini` | Core gameplay settings — game mode rules, bot count, round limits, team settings |
| `Engine.ini` | Engine-level settings — tick rate, network settings, performance tuning |
| `Admins.txt` | List of admin Steam IDs (may be located in the `Insurgency/Config/Server/` directory) |
| `MapCycle.txt` | Map rotation and scenario order |
> 📝 **Note:** If these files don't exist, start the server once and stop it. The server generates default config files on first launch.
Key Settings in Game.ini [#key-settings-in-gameini]
The `Game.ini` file contains gameplay-related settings. Here are the most commonly changed options:
Bot Settings (Cooperative/PvE) [#bot-settings-cooperativepve]
```ini
[/Script/Insurgency.INSCoopMode]
MinimumEnemies=6
MaximumEnemies=12
AIDifficulty=0.5
bBots=True
```
| Setting | Description | Default |
| ---------------- | --------------------------------------------- | ------- |
| `MinimumEnemies` | Minimum number of AI enemies | 6 |
| `MaximumEnemies` | Maximum number of AI enemies | 12 |
| `AIDifficulty` | Bot difficulty (0.0 = easiest, 1.0 = hardest) | 0.5 |
| `bBots` | Enable/disable bots | True |
Round and Game Settings [#round-and-game-settings]
```ini
[/Script/Insurgency.INSGameMode]
RoundLimit=5
WinLimit=3
GameStartingPlayers=1
WarmupTime=15
PostRoundTime=20
```
| Setting | Description | Default |
| --------------------- | ---------------------------------- | ------- |
| `RoundLimit` | Maximum number of rounds per match | 5 |
| `WinLimit` | Rounds a team needs to win | 3 |
| `GameStartingPlayers` | Minimum players to start a match | 1 |
| `WarmupTime` | Warmup period in seconds | 15 |
| `PostRoundTime` | Time between rounds in seconds | 20 |
Friendly Fire [#friendly-fire]
```ini
[/Script/Insurgency.INSGameMode]
FriendlyFireModifier=0.0
```
Set `FriendlyFireModifier` to `0.0` for no friendly fire, or `1.0` for full friendly fire damage. Values between 0 and 1 scale the damage (e.g., `0.5` for half damage).
Mutators [#mutators]
Mutators modify gameplay rules. Common mutators include:
```ini
[/Script/Insurgency.INSGameMode]
Mutators=SlowCapture,AntiMaterielRiflesOnly
```
Popular mutators:
| Mutator | Description |
| -------------------- | --------------------------------------- |
| `SlowCapture` | Slows down objective capture speed |
| `FastCapture` | Speeds up objective capture |
| `BoltActionsOnly` | Restricts weapons to bolt-action rifles |
| `ShotgunsOnly` | Restricts weapons to shotguns |
| `PistolsOnly` | Restricts weapons to pistols |
| `NoDroppedWeapons` | Prevents picking up dropped weapons |
| `AllYouCanEat` | Unlimited supply points |
| `Frenzy` | Enemies are melee-only zombies |
| `HardcoreCheckpoint` | One-life checkpoint mode |
Using Startup Parameters [#using-startup-parameters]
Many settings can be set through the **Startup** tab on the XGamingServer panel. Startup parameters are command-line flags passed to the server executable.
Common Startup Parameters [#common-startup-parameters]
| Parameter | Description | Example |
| -------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ | ----------------------- |
| `-Port=` | Game port | `-Port=27102` |
| `-QueryPort=` | Steam query port | `-QueryPort=27131` |
| `-hostname=` | [Server name](/docs/insurgency-sandstorm/change-server-name) | `-hostname="My Server"` |
| `-MaxPlayers=` | Maximum player count | `-MaxPlayers=28` |
| `-password=` | [Server password](/docs/insurgency-sandstorm/set-a-password) | `-password=secret` |
| `-GameStats` | Enable game stats reporting | `-GameStats` |
| `-GSLTToken=` | Game Server Login Token | `-GSLTToken=yourtoken` |
| `-MapCycle=` | Path to map cycle file | `-MapCycle=MapCycle` |
Setting the Initial Map and Scenario [#setting-the-initial-map-and-scenario]
The initial map and scenario are set via the **travel** startup parameter:
```
Oilfield?Scenario=Scenario_Oilfield_Checkpoint_Security
```
This loads the Oilfield map with the Checkpoint (Security) scenario. See the [change map guide](/docs/insurgency-sandstorm/change-map) for a full list of maps and scenarios.
Engine.ini Settings [#engineini-settings]
The `Engine.ini` file controls engine-level settings. The most commonly changed setting is the server tick rate:
```ini
[/Script/OnlineSubsystemUtils.IpNetDriver]
NetServerMaxTickRate=128
```
| Setting | Description | Default |
| ---------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------- |
| `NetServerMaxTickRate` | Server tick rate (updates per second). Higher = smoother but more CPU-intensive. | 64 |
A tick rate of **128** provides smoother gameplay and is recommended if your server has the resources for it.
Map Cycle Configuration [#map-cycle-configuration]
Create or edit `MapCycle.txt` in the `Insurgency/Config/Server/` directory to define your map rotation:
```
(Scenario="Scenario_Crossing_Checkpoint_Security",MaxPlayers=28)
(Scenario="Scenario_Hideout_Checkpoint_Security",MaxPlayers=28)
(Scenario="Scenario_Summit_Checkpoint_Security",MaxPlayers=28)
(Scenario="Scenario_Precinct_Push_Security",MaxPlayers=28)
```
Each line specifies a scenario and optional max players. The server cycles through these maps in order.
Applying Changes [#applying-changes]
Save the file [#1-save-the-file]
After editing, click **Save** in the file editor.
Restart the server [#2-restart-the-server]
Start your server for changes to take effect.
> ⚠️ **Warning:** Always stop the server before editing config files. Editing while the server is running may cause your changes to be overwritten when the server saves its state on shutdown.
> 💡 **Tip:** Make one change at a time and test. If the server fails to start after a config change, check the **Console** for error messages — they usually point to the exact line causing the issue.
If you get stuck at any time, you can join our [Discord](https://discord.xgamingserver.com/).