# Squad Reserved Slots Setup (/docs/squad/reserved-slots)



Reserved slots let trusted players — admins, donors, clan members — join even when the server is full. Squad combines a **slot count** with a **permission**.

<div className="fd-steps">
  <div className="fd-step">
    Set the Slot Count [#1-set-the-slot-count]

    In `Server.cfg` (`SquadGame/ServerConfig/Server.cfg`):

    ```ini
    NumReservedSlots=4
    ```

    This holds 4 slots out of your `MaxPlayers`. Public players fill up to `MaxPlayers - NumReservedSlots`; the reserved slots stay open for permitted players (who otherwise wait in the [public queue](/docs/squad/server-cfg-reference)).
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Grant the reserve Permission [#2-grant-the-reserve-permission]

    In `Admins.cfg`, create a group with the `reserve` [access level](/docs/squad/admin-permissions) and assign members to it:

    ```ini
    Group=Member:reserve
    Group=Admin:kick,ban,changemap,reserve,cameraman

    Admin=76561198000000000:Admin
    Admin=76561198111111111:Member
    ```

    Anyone in a group that has `reserve` can take a reserved slot. Members don't need any moderation powers — a `reserve`-only group is perfect for donors and clan members.
  </div>
</div>

How It Behaves [#how-it-behaves]

* With `NumReservedSlots=4` and `MaxPlayers=80`, public players fill to 76. The last 4 are held for `reserve` players.
* A reserved player joining a full public section jumps the queue into a reserved slot.
* Set `NumReservedSlots=0` to disable reserved slots entirely.

Applying Changes [#applying-changes]

Stop the server, edit both files, then restart to apply.

Related Guides [#related-guides]

* [Admin Permissions & Groups](/docs/squad/admin-permissions)
* [Server.cfg Reference](/docs/squad/server-cfg-reference)
* [Max Players](/docs/squad/max-players)