# How to Install Carbon on Your Rust Server (Oxide Alternative) (/docs/rust/carbon-mod)



import { Step, Steps } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/steps';
import { File, Folder, Files } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/files';

**Carbon** is a modern modding framework for Rust and a drop-in alternative to [Oxide/uMod](/docs/rust/oxide-plugins). It loads faster, hot-reloads plugins, and runs the **vast majority of existing Oxide plugins unmodified** because it implements the same hook API. Many communities have moved to Carbon for its performance and quicker updates after a forced wipe.

> You run **either Oxide or Carbon — not both.** They are two implementations of the same plugin API and will conflict if installed together. If you already run Oxide, remove it before switching.

About the "Modding Framework" Startup Variable [#about-the-modding-framework-startup-variable]

Your server's **Startup** tab has a *Modding Framework* variable (`vanilla` / `oxide` / `carbon`). On this egg that variable does **not** auto-install anything — leave it or change it, you still install the framework yourself using the steps below. This is normal; the manual method is reliable and survives your control.

Installing Carbon [#installing-carbon]

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Stop your server from the **Console** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Download the latest **Linux** build from the [Carbon releases page](https://github.com/CarbonCommunity/Carbon.Core/releases) — pick `Carbon.Linux.Release.tar.gz` (the production build).
  </Step>

  <Step>
    In the panel **Files** manager, upload the archive to your **server root** (the folder containing `RustDedicated`) and extract it there, overwriting when prompted. This creates a `carbon/` folder and a `HarmonyMods` loader.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Start the server. Watch the console for the Carbon banner. Confirm it loaded with:

    ```
    c.version
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

> ⚠️ **A game update can revert Carbon.** If your server auto-updates from SteamCMD and Carbon stops loading after an update, re-extract the latest Carbon release.

Folder Structure [#folder-structure]

<Files>
  <Folder name="carbon" defaultOpen>
    <Folder name="plugins" defaultOpen>
      <File name="Kits.cs" />

      <File name="NTeleportation.cs" />
    </Folder>

    <Folder name="configs" />

    <Folder name="data" />

    <Folder name="logs" />
  </Folder>
</Files>

Drop `.cs` plugin files into `carbon/plugins/` — they hot-load automatically, no restart needed. Config files generate in `carbon/configs/` on first load.

Carbon Console Commands [#carbon-console-commands]

Carbon commands are prefixed with `c.` (mirroring Oxide's `oxide.`):

| Command                             | Description                       |
| ----------------------------------- | --------------------------------- |
| `c.version`                         | Show the installed Carbon version |
| `c.plugins`                         | List loaded plugins               |
| `c.load <Plugin>`                   | Load a plugin                     |
| `c.unload <Plugin>`                 | Unload a plugin                   |
| `c.reload <Plugin>`                 | Reload a plugin                   |
| `c.grant user <steamid> <perm>`     | Grant a permission to a player    |
| `c.grant group <group> <perm>`      | Grant a permission to a group     |
| `c.group add <name>`                | Create a permission group         |
| `c.usergroup add <steamid> <group>` | Add a player to a group           |
| `c.show perms`                      | List all registered permissions   |

The permission and group model is identical to Oxide — see the [Oxide guide](/docs/rust/oxide-plugins) for how permissions work in practice.

Carbon vs Oxide — Which Should I Use? [#carbon-vs-oxide--which-should-i-use]

|                         | Oxide/uMod              | Carbon                             |
| ----------------------- | ----------------------- | ---------------------------------- |
| Plugin compatibility    | The reference framework | Runs most Oxide plugins unmodified |
| Update speed after wipe | Sometimes slower        | Usually updated within hours       |
| Performance             | Good                    | Faster load & compile              |
| Hot-reload plugins      | Yes                     | Yes                                |
| Community size          | Largest                 | Growing quickly                    |

Both are excellent. Choose **Oxide** for maximum plugin compatibility and the biggest community, or **Carbon** for faster updates and performance. If a plugin only lists Oxide support, it will almost always still work on Carbon.

Related Guides [#related-guides]

* [Install Oxide/uMod Plugins](/docs/rust/oxide-plugins)
* [Change Gather Rates](/docs/rust/gather-rates)
* [Server Configuration](/docs/rust/server-config)
* [Admin Setup](/docs/rust/admin-setup)