How To Upload A Custom Map To Your Rust Server
Learn how to install a custom map on your Rust dedicated server with Oxide and the RustEdit extension.
Custom maps let you replace the default procedurally generated world with community-designed terrains featuring unique monuments, layouts, and landscapes. You can find custom maps on sites like lone.design.
Playing custom maps requires the Oxide modding framework and the RustEdit extension to be installed on your server. This guide covers the full process from start to finish.
Before You Begin
You will need to prepare a direct download link for your custom map file:
- Download a custom map from a site like lone.design and locate the
.mapfile inside the downloaded archive. - Upload the
.mapfile to Dropbox. - On Dropbox, click your uploaded file, then go to Share and set the link to Anyone with the link can view.
- Copy the share link. Before using it, change
dl=0at the end of the URL todl=1so it becomes a direct download link.
📝 Note: The download URL must point directly to the
.mapfile. If it downloads a folder or HTML page, the server will not load the map correctly.
Installing Oxide and the RustEdit Extension
Oxide is the modding framework required for plugins, and the RustEdit extension enables the server to load custom map data.
Download RustEdit
Download the latest RustEdit extension from GitHub and extract the archive. You need the Oxide.Ext.RustEdit.dll file.
Stop Your Server
Log in to the XGamingServer Panel and Stop your Rust server.
Upload the Extension
In the sidebar, click Files. Navigate to /RustDedicated_Data/Managed and upload Oxide.Ext.RustEdit.dll.
Enable Oxide
In the sidebar, click Startup. Find the Modding Framework option and select oxide or oxide-staging.
Start Your Server
Click Start to launch the server. Oxide and the RustEdit extension will load automatically.
Wipe Before Switching Maps (Recommended)
Before loading a custom map, it is strongly recommended to perform a wipe. This prevents world data conflicts between the old and new map. See our Wipe Server guide for instructions on performing a map wipe or full wipe.
Installing a Custom Map
Stop Your Server
Log in to the XGamingServer Panel and Stop your Rust server.
Open Startup Settings
In the sidebar, click Startup.
Set the Custom Map URL
Find the Custom Map URL field and paste your Dropbox direct download link (with dl=1 at the end).
Start Your Server
Click Start. The server will download and load your custom map on startup.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure your Dropbox link ends with
dl=1, notdl=0. Thedl=0link loads a preview page instead of downloading the file, which will prevent the map from loading.
💡 Tip: If you want to switch back to a procedurally generated map later, simply clear the Custom Map URL field in Startup and restart the server.
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