# Squad Server Seeding Setup (CustomOptions.cfg) (/docs/squad/seeding-config)



**Seeding** is how a Squad server fills up: a small group plays on a seeding layer until enough players join to trigger the live match. The seeding behaviour is controlled in `SquadGame/ServerConfig/CustomOptions.cfg` (these settings used to live in `Server.cfg`).

The Settings [#the-settings]

| Setting                    | Default | What it does                                                                                                                                             |
| -------------------------- | ------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `SeedPlayersThreshold`     | `50`    | Player count needed to start the Pre-Live countdown (go live).                                                                                           |
| `SeedMinimumPlayersToLive` | `45`    | After the threshold is reached, if players drop but stay at/above this, the countdown continues. Must be > 0 and \< `SeedPlayersThreshold` to be active. |
| `SeedMatchLengthSeconds`   | `21600` | Seeding match length in seconds (default 6 hours).                                                                                                       |
| `SeedAllKitsAvailable`     | `1`     | Whether all kits are available during seeding (`1` = yes, `0` = no).                                                                                     |

Example `CustomOptions.cfg`:

```ini
#SeedPlayersThreshold=50
#SeedMinimumPlayersToLive=45
#SeedMatchLengthSeconds=21600
#SeedAllKitsAvailable=1
```

> Lines are prefixed with `#` in the default file. Keep the format the file ships with — this file is read by both the base game and mods (mods read it via the `GetCustomServerSetting` blueprint node).

How Seeding Plays Out [#how-seeding-plays-out]

1. Server boots on a seeding-friendly layer with a low player count.
2. Players trickle in. Kits may be limited if `SeedAllKitsAvailable=0`.
3. Once the count hits `SeedPlayersThreshold`, the **Pre-Live countdown** starts.
4. If a few players leave but the count stays at/above `SeedMinimumPlayersToLive`, the countdown keeps going instead of resetting.
5. The server goes live and normal rotation/voting takes over.

Tuning Tips [#tuning-tips]

* **Smaller communities:** lower `SeedPlayersThreshold` (e.g. 30–40) so you go live without needing a near-full server.
* **Avoid countdown resets:** keep `SeedMinimumPlayersToLive` a handful below the threshold so one or two disconnects don't cancel the go-live.
* **Seeding rewards:** many communities advertise seeding in their [server messages](/docs/squad/server-messages-and-motd) and [tags](/docs/squad/server-tags) (`maprot_...`, playstyle tags) to attract seeders.

Applying Changes [#applying-changes]

Stop the server, edit `CustomOptions.cfg` under **Files → SquadGame/ServerConfig**, then start again.

Related Guides [#related-guides]

* [Server.cfg Reference](/docs/squad/server-cfg-reference)
* [Server Messages & MOTD](/docs/squad/server-messages-and-motd)
* [Server Tags & Rules](/docs/squad/server-tags)