# SCP:SL config_gameplay.txt Settings Reference (/docs/scp-secret-laboratory/gameplay-config-reference)



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

`config_gameplay.txt` is the main settings file for a SCP: Secret Laboratory server. It's a plain-text file with one `key: value` per line and `#` comments. This page covers the settings server owners actually change — the file also contains anticheat/query/networking keys that are best left at their defaults.

Editing the File [#editing-the-file]

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

    The server **rewrites this file on shutdown**, so any edit made while it's running is overwritten. Always **Stop** the server before editing.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Open the file [#open-the-file]

    In the [XGamingServer panel](https://panel.xgamingserver.com) **File Manager**, open `config_gameplay.txt`. Its exact location is covered in [Config File Locations](/docs/scp-secret-laboratory/config-file-locations).
  </Step>

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

    Change the values you want (`key: value`), save, then **Start** the server. Check the **Console** for any config warnings.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Callout type="info">
  Many values accept `default` — leaving them as `default` uses the game's built-in value, which is the safe choice for anything you don't specifically want to change.
</Callout>

Server Basics [#server-basics]

| Setting              | Default          | What it does                                                                                              |
| -------------------- | ---------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `server_name`        | `My Server Name` | Your server's name in the list. See [Change Server Name](/docs/scp-secret-laboratory/change-server-name). |
| `max_players`        | `20`             | Player slot limit. See [Max Players](/docs/scp-secret-laboratory/max-players).                            |
| `server_tickrate`    | `60`             | Server tick rate. Higher is smoother but heavier; 60 is standard.                                         |
| `use_reserved_slots` | `true`           | Lets reserved-slot players join a full server.                                                            |
| `lobby_waiting_time` | `default`        | Seconds in the pre-round lobby.                                                                           |
| `late_join_time`     | `60`             | Seconds after round start that players can still spawn in.                                                |
| `contact_email`      | `default`        | Used for server verification. See [Verify Your Server](/docs/scp-secret-laboratory/verify-your-server).   |

Rounds [#rounds]

| Setting                   | Default   | What it does                                                                              |
| ------------------------- | --------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `auto_round_restart_time` | `10`      | Seconds between round end and the next round starting.                                    |
| `end_round_on_one_player` | `false`   | End the round when only one player remains.                                               |
| `server_forced_class`     | `-1`      | Force everyone to a class at spawn (`-1` = normal random roles).                          |
| `team_respawn_queue`      | `default` | The class spawn-order string for round start. `default` uses the game's standard pattern. |
| `map_seed`                | `-1`      | Fix the facility layout to a seed (`-1` = random each round).                             |
| `disconnect_drop`         | `true`    | Drop a player's items when they disconnect.                                               |

Warhead & Decontamination [#warhead--decontamination]

| Setting                         | Default | What it does                                              |
| ------------------------------- | ------- | --------------------------------------------------------- |
| `warhead_tminus_start_duration` | `90`    | Alpha Warhead countdown length (seconds).                 |
| `lock_gates_on_countdown`       | `true`  | Lock surface gates during the countdown.                  |
| `open_doors_on_countdown`       | `true`  | Open all doors when the countdown starts.                 |
| `isolate_zones_on_countdown`    | `false` | Seal zones during the countdown.                          |
| `keep_items_after_escaping`     | `true`  | Let escapees keep their items.                            |
| `disable_decontamination`       | `false` | Turn off Light Containment Zone decontamination entirely. |
| `auto_warhead_start_minutes`    | `0`     | Auto-start the warhead after N minutes (`0` = off).       |
| `auto_warhead_lock`             | `true`  | Prevent cancelling an auto-started warhead.               |

Friendly Fire [#friendly-fire]

| Setting                    | Default | What it does                                           |
| -------------------------- | ------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| `friendly_fire`            | `false` | Allow players to damage teammates.                     |
| `friendly_fire_multiplier` | `0.4`   | Fraction of damage applied to teammates (`0.4` = 40%). |

Turning friendly fire on also activates the **teamkill detector**, which can auto-ban players. Tune it carefully — see [Friendly Fire & the Teamkill Detector](/docs/scp-secret-laboratory/friendly-fire-and-ff-detector).

AFK & Idle [#afk--idle]

| Setting                | Default | What it does                                                                                                                  |
| ---------------------- | ------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `afk_time`             | `200`   | Seconds a player can idle in spawn before being kicked (`0` or less = disabled). SCP-079 gets 13 extra seconds for its intro. |
| `constantly_check_afk` | `false` | Check for AFK throughout the round, not just at spawn.                                                                        |
| `afk_kick_message`     | `AFK`   | Message shown to a kicked AFK player.                                                                                         |

Stamina [#stamina]

| Setting                       | Default | What it does                                                                           |
| ----------------------------- | ------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `stamina_balance_use`         | `0.03`  | Stamina used per second while sprinting (`0.03` = 3%; `0` disables — not recommended). |
| `stamina_balance_immunity`    | `3`     | Seconds a freshly-spawned player can sprint without using stamina.                     |
| `stamina_balance_regen_cd`    | `1`     | Seconds after sprinting before stamina starts regenerating.                            |
| `stamina_balance_regen_speed` | `1`     | Stamina regeneration speed multiplier.                                                 |

Other Useful Settings [#other-useful-settings]

| Setting                      | Default   | What it does                                     |
| ---------------------------- | --------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
| `intercom_cooldown`          | `120`     | Intercom cooldown (seconds).                     |
| `intercom_max_speech_time`   | `20`      | Max intercom speech length (seconds).            |
| `pd_exit_count`              | `2`       | Pocket Dimension exits.                          |
| `cuffed_escapee_change_team` | `true`    | A cuffed escapee switches to the capturing team. |
| `914_mode`                   | `default` | SCP-914 recipe mode.                             |
| `dms_enabled`                | `true`    | Dead Man's Switch event enabled.                 |
| `dms_activation_time`        | `240`     | Dead Man's Switch activation time (seconds).     |
| `player_info_range`          | `10`      | Range at which player info text appears.         |

Security & Server List [#security--server-list]

Most anticheat/query settings should stay at their defaults. The one owners care about:

| Setting            | Default | What it does                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
| ------------------ | ------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `online_mode`      | `true`  | Connect to the central servers and appear on the public list. Setting `false` hides the server. You can also type `!private` / `!public` in the server **Console** to toggle list visibility without editing the file. |
| `enable_whitelist` | `false` | Restrict joining to whitelisted IDs. See [Enable Whitelist](/docs/scp-secret-laboratory/enable-whitelist).                                                                                                             |
| `ip_banning`       | `true`  | Ban by IP in addition to ID.                                                                                                                                                                                           |

<Callout type="warn">
  This is not the complete file — SCP:SL adds and renames settings between game versions, and the file includes many networking/anticheat keys best left alone. When in doubt, leave a setting at `default`. After a game update, skim the file for new keys.
</Callout>

Related [#related]

* [Config File Locations](/docs/scp-secret-laboratory/config-file-locations)
* [Friendly Fire & the Teamkill Detector](/docs/scp-secret-laboratory/friendly-fire-and-ff-detector)
* [Configure Your Server](/docs/scp-secret-laboratory/configure-your-server)