# s&box Server Launch Parameters (/docs/sbox/launch-parameters)



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

s\&box launch parameters are passed as command-line arguments to `sbox-server.exe`. Each switch maps directly to a `ConVar` or `ConCmd` that runs as the server boots.

Default Server Directory [#default-server-directory]

After installing via SteamCMD, the server lives at:

```
steamcmd/steamapps/common/sbox dedicated server
```

Starting the Server [#starting-the-server]

Windows [#windows]

Create a `.bat` file (for example `Run-Server.bat`) next to `sbox-server.exe`:

```bat
echo off
sbox-server.exe +game facepunch.sandbox facepunch.flatgrass +hostname My Dedicated Server
```

Double-click the `.bat` to launch.

Linux [#linux]

The server runs on .NET, so the **.NET Runtime** must be installed. Create a shell script (for example `run-server.sh`):

```bash
#!/bin/bash
./sbox-server.exe +game facepunch.sandbox facepunch.flatgrass +hostname "My Dedicated Server"
```

Make it executable (`chmod +x run-server.sh`) and run it.

Both examples above load the **`facepunch.sandbox`** game with the **`facepunch.flatgrass`** map and set the title to **My Dedicated Server**.

Parameter Reference [#parameter-reference]

| Switch                   | Arguments                          | Description                                                                                            |
| ------------------------ | ---------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| `+game`                  | `<packageIdent> [mapPackageIdent]` | The game package to load, and optionally a map package to start on.                                    |
| `+hostname`              | `<name>`                           | The server title that players will see.                                                                |
| `+port`                  | `<port>`                           | The port used to host the server on.                                                                   |
| `+net_query_port`        | `<port>`                           | The port used to query server information such as player count and current map.                        |
| `+net_game_server_token` | `<token>`                          | A persistent Steam game-server token (post-release only). See [Server Token](/docs/sbox/server-token). |

Loading a Local Project [#loading-a-local-project]

You can pass the path to a `.sbproj` file to `+game` to load a project directly from disk. Connected clients will receive code changes and **hotload them live** — useful for development. See [Loading a Local Project](/docs/sbox/local-projects).

Related Guides [#related-guides]

* [Change Game & Map](/docs/sbox/change-game-and-map)
* [Change Server Name](/docs/sbox/change-server-name)
* [Server Token](/docs/sbox/server-token)
* [Local Projects](/docs/sbox/local-projects)