How to Configure Your Team Fortress 2 Server (server.cfg)

Complete TF2 server.cfg reference — hostname, GSLT, class limits, MvM, competitive settings, sv_pure, holidays, and SourceMod.

TF2 is the most complex Source engine server to configure — with class limits, MvM mode, holiday events, and a deep plugin ecosystem.

File Structure

server.cfg

autoexec.cfg

mapcycle.txt

pure_server_whitelist.txt

Editing server.cfg

Open the File Manager

In the XGamingServer Panel, click Files in the sidebar.

Navigate to the config

Click tf → cfg → open server.cfg.

Save and restart

Edit, click Save, restart from Console.

server.cfg — Essential Settings

Server Identity

hostname "My TF2 Server"
sv_password ""
rcon_password "YourRconPassword"
sv_contact "admin@example.com"
sv_tags "increased_maxplayers,alltalk"
sv_lan 0

Gameplay

mp_autoteambalance 1
mp_teams_unbalance_limit 1
mp_timelimit 30
mp_respawnwavetime 10
tf_weapon_criticals 1             // Random crits (0 = disable for competitive)
tf_damage_disablespread 0         // 1 = fixed damage (competitive)
mp_friendlyfire 0
mp_disable_respawn_times 0        // 1 = instant respawn

Class Limits

0 = unlimited, -1 = class disabled:

tf_classlimit_scout 0
tf_classlimit_soldier 0
tf_classlimit_pyro 0
tf_classlimit_demoman 0
tf_classlimit_heavy 0
tf_classlimit_engineer 0
tf_classlimit_medic 0
tf_classlimit_sniper 0
tf_classlimit_spy 0

Highlander (one of each): set all to 1.

sv_pure (File Consistency)

Mode	Effect
`0`	Allow all custom files (HUDs, skins)
`1`	Whitelist-based (blocks model replacements)
`2`	Strict — only official content + sprays

Holiday Events

tf_forced_holiday 0   // 0=calendar, 1=birthday, 2=Halloween, 3=Christmas

Permanent Halloween: tf_forced_holiday 2

GSLT (Required)

TF2 strictly requires a GSLT — without it, the server won't appear in the browser at all.

Create at Steam Game Server Management with App ID 440. Add in the Startup tab.

MvM (Mann vs Machine)

Co-op PvE mode. Set map to mvm_*, configure:

tf_mvm_min_players_to_start 1
tf_mvm_respec_enabled 1

Wave definitions (popfiles) are in tf/scripts/population/. Start a mission: tf_mvm_popfile mvm_rottenburg_advanced1

MvM maps: mvm_coaltown, mvm_decoy, mvm_mannworks, mvm_mannhattan, mvm_rottenburg, mvm_bigrock

Map Rotation

Edit tf/cfg/mapcycle.txt:

cp_dustbowl
pl_upward
pl_badwater
ctf_2fort
koth_harvest_final

Prefix	Mode
`cp_`	Control Point
`pl_`	Payload
`ctf_`	Capture the Flag
`koth_`	King of the Hill
`mvm_`	Mann vs Machine
`arena_`	Arena

Ports

Port	Protocol	Purpose
27015	UDP + TCP	Game + RCON
27020	UDP	SourceTV

How to Connect

How to Configure Your Team Fortress 2 Server (server.cfg)

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