# How To Configure Your Squad Server (/docs/squad/configure-your-server)



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Squad server configuration is managed through several config files in the `SquadGame/ServerConfig/` directory. Here is an overview of the key settings.

Using Startup Settings [#using-startup-settings]

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  <div className="fd-step">
    Open the Startup Page [#1-open-the-startup-page]

    Log in to the [XGamingServer Panel](https://panel.xgamingserver.com) and select your Squad server. In the sidebar, click **Startup**.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Adjust Settings [#2-adjust-settings]

    The Startup page provides fields for common settings including server name, max players, and other launch parameters.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Restart Your Server [#3-restart-your-server]

    After making changes, restart from the **Console** page.
  </div>
</div>

Editing Server.cfg [#editing-servercfg]

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  <div className="fd-step">
    Open Files [#1-open-files]

    In the sidebar, click **Files** and navigate to `SquadGame/ServerConfig/`.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Open Server.cfg [#2-open-servercfg]

    Open `Server.cfg` and adjust the settings:

    ```
    ServerName="My Squad Server"
    ShouldAdvertise=true
    IsLANMatch=false
    MaxPlayers=80
    NumReservedSlots=0
    PublicQueueLimit=25
    AllowTeamChanges=true
    PreventTeamChangeIfUnbalanced=true
    EnforceTeamBalance=true
    RconPassword="yourrconpassword"
    ```
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Save and Restart [#3-save-and-restart]

    Save the file and restart your server.
  </div>
</div>

Key Configuration Files [#key-configuration-files]

| File                 | Purpose                      |
| -------------------- | ---------------------------- |
| `Server.cfg`         | Main server settings         |
| `Admins.cfg`         | Admin permissions and groups |
| `MapRotation.cfg`    | Map and game mode rotation   |
| `ServerMessages.cfg` | Timed broadcast messages     |
| `ExclusionList.cfg`  | Faction and layer exclusions |
| `Bans.cfg`           | Banned players list          |
| `MOTD.cfg`           | Message of the Day           |

Server Messages [#server-messages]

You can set up rotating broadcast messages in `ServerMessages.cfg`:

```
// Time in seconds between messages
TimeBetweenMessages=300

// Messages
"Welcome to our server! Join our Discord for more info."
"Please follow the server rules. Type !rules in chat."
"Having fun? Consider supporting the server!"
```

> 📝 **Note:** After making changes to any configuration file, you need to restart the server for them to take effect.

> 💡 **Tip:** Set `NumReservedSlots` to hold slots for admins and VIPs. Players with the `reserve` permission in `Admins.cfg` can join even when the public slots are full.