# How to Configure Your Quake 3 Server (server.cfg) (/docs/quake-3/server-config)



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

Quake 3 uses `server.cfg` inside the `baseq3/` directory. This is a standard id Tech 3 config file with `seta` commands.

How to Edit server.cfg [#how-to-edit-servercfg]

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Stop the server [#stop-the-server]

    In the [XGamingServer Panel](https://panel.xgamingserver.com), go to **Console** and stop your server.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Open server.cfg [#open-servercfg]

    Click **Files** in the sidebar and navigate to `baseq3/server.cfg`.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Edit and save [#edit-and-save]

    Make your changes, click **Save Content**, then start from **Console**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Key Settings [#key-settings]

```
seta sv_hostname "My Q3 Server"
seta sv_maxclients 16
seta g_gametype 0
seta rconPassword "YourSecureRconPassword"
seta sv_pure 1
seta fraglimit 25
seta timelimit 15
```

| Setting         | Description                                                  |
| --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| `sv_hostname`   | Server name shown in the browser                             |
| `sv_maxclients` | Max simultaneous players                                     |
| `g_gametype`    | Game mode (see table below)                                  |
| `rconPassword`  | Remote console password — set this for admin access          |
| `sv_pure`       | `1` requires pure clients (no custom files), `0` allows mods |
| `fraglimit`     | Frags needed to win a match                                  |
| `timelimit`     | Match time limit in minutes                                  |

Game Types [#game-types]

| Value | Mode             |
| :---: | ---------------- |
|  `0`  | Free For All     |
|  `1`  | Tournament (1v1) |
|  `3`  | Team Deathmatch  |
|  `4`  | Capture The Flag |

pak0.pk3 Requirement [#pak0pk3-requirement]

The server **requires** `pak0.pk3` from a legitimate Quake 3 installation in the `baseq3/` directory. Without it, the server cannot start.

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Get pak0.pk3 from your Quake 3 install [#get-pak0pk3-from-your-quake-3-install]

    Locate `pak0.pk3` in your local Quake 3 install at:

    ```
    <Quake 3 install dir>/baseq3/pak0.pk3
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Upload to the server [#upload-to-the-server]

    In **Files**, navigate to `baseq3/` and upload `pak0.pk3`.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Restart the server [#restart-the-server]
  </Step>
</Steps>

Custom Maps [#custom-maps]

Upload `.pk3` map files to `baseq3/`. Add map names to `mapcycle.txt` for rotation between matches.

RCON [#rcon]

Set `rconPassword` in `server.cfg` and connect with any Q3 RCON tool. Send commands prefixed with `rcon`:

```
\rcon YourPassword status
\rcon YourPassword map q3dm6
```

Required Ports [#required-ports]

| Port      | Protocol | Purpose      |
| --------- | -------- | ------------ |
| **27960** | UDP      | Game traffic |

Related Guides [#related-guides]

* [Connect to Your Server](/docs/quake-3/join-server)
* [Troubleshooting](/docs/quake-3/fix-issues)