Arma 3 Launch Parameter Builder
Build the exact arma3server_x64 / arma3_x64 startup line for Linux dedicated, Windows dedicated, or headless-client modes. ~35 admin-relevant flags across 5 tabs, live validation of real Bohemia gotchas — cpuCount minimum, maxMem signed-int bug, autoInit-without-Persistent, setThreadCharacteristics freezing Windows Server. Outputs single command, .bat, and .sh.
Presets
Useful when your full command line exceeds Windows max char limit.
#!/usr/bin/env bash
# Arma 3 dedicated server (Linux) — generated by xtools.xgamingserver.com
# Verified against the Bohemia Community Wiki "Arma 3: Startup Parameters".
set -euo pipefail
ARMA3="./arma3server_x64"
"$ARMA3" \
-config=server.cfg \
-cfg=basic.cfg \
-profiles=profiles \
-name=server \
-port=2302 \
-exThreads=7 \
-enableHT \
-hugePages \
-loadMissionToMemory \
-noPause \
-world=empty
Get the right Arma 3 dedicated startup line — Linux, Windows, or Headless Client
Arma 3's dedicated server takes ~35 admin-relevant command-line flags, and Bohemia's wiki documents real gotchas that turn into silent runtime issues if you miss them: cpuCount has a minimum of 2 since 2.20, maxMem on Linux pre-2.14 has a signed-32-bit bug that caps real memory at the next-lowest power-of-two-minus-one (2047/4095/8191), autoInit silently does nothing without Persistent=1 in your server.cfg, and setThreadCharacteristics can hard-freeze entire Windows Server SKUs (2016/2019/2022). This tool encodes those rules and warns you live as you tune the flags.
Three modes pre-configured: Linux Dedicated, Windows Dedicated, and Headless Client. Each preset starts you with the sensible defaults for that target — Linux uses the dash-prefixed args + -nosound + appropriate malloc, Windows uses the same with -profiles= adjusted for Windows path, Headless Client adds -client -password=<HC password> and the right -connect target. Pick a preset, then tune the 5 tabs (Identity, Mods, Performance, Logging, Misc).
Performance tab is where most admin tuning happens — cpuCount + enableHT + exThreads (1 = file ops, 2 = geometry, 4 = textures, sum the bits you want), malloc=jemalloc (Linux) or system (Windows), hugePages, maxMem (with the Linux signed-int warning), maxVRAM, maxFileCacheSize, limitFPS (Bohemia default 50, common admin tuning 200-300, headless 50-100). Mods tab pulls -mod= and -serverMod= straight in (use the Mod List Builder to generate them). Logging tab has -netlog, -name, -profiles, -par (for when your command line is too long for Windows shells).
Output: single one-line command (good for direct invocation), Windows .bat with proper escaping, and Linux .sh with single-quoted -mod= so semicolons don't split. All three are downloadable. Cross-references the Server Config Generator (point -config= at it) and the Mod List Builder (paste -mod= from there).
Headless Client mode auto-fills the connection target and the right -password parameter, and warns if you've also set -world (HC must use -world=empty) or -port (HC connects out, doesn't listen). XGamingServer hosting supports headless clients on the same instance — set the HC pass to match your server.cfg headlessClients[] and they'll auto-connect on restart.
Arma 3 Launch Parameter Builder — FAQ
What's the difference between -config and -cfg?
-config=server.cfg sets the admin/mission config; -cfg=basic.cfg sets network tuning (MaxBandwidth, MaxMsgSend). They're different files.
Why -world=empty?
Stops the engine from loading a default world (and its main-menu intro) at boot. Saves several seconds of startup and a chunk of RAM that the dedicated never uses anyway.
Why does -par exist?
Windows command lines have a max character length. Big mod lists exceed it. -par=path/to/params.txt reads the rest of your params from a file. Format: one param per line.
Linux vs Windows mod separator?
On Windows: -mod=@a;@b;@c. On Linux: backslash-escape semicolons inside quotes, e.g. "-mod=@a\;@b\;@c". The Mod List Builder gets this right.
limitFPS — sweet spot for a server?
Bohemia's default is 50; common admin tuning is 200–300. Higher = more frequent AI/sim/network ticks but more CPU. Servers with no players auto-cap at 30 since 2.20.
Can I combine -enableHT with -cpuCount?
Yes, but -cpuCount overrides -enableHT. If you want all logical cores, use -enableHT alone. If you want to cap at N physical cores, use -cpuCount=N alone.
Why is -setThreadCharacteristics dangerous?
On Windows Server SKUs (2016/2019/2022/etc.) Bohemia explicitly warns it can freeze the entire OS. Safe on Windows 10/11 desktop. Default OFF in this tool.
You might also need
Server Config Generator
Generate a complete Arma 3 server.cfg with Bohemia's recommended security defaults — 7 tabs, 4 presets, verified against the community wiki.
Mod List Builder
Paste Steam Workshop URLs and build the exact -mod=@x;@y; startup string + Launcher preset + ready-to-run .bat / .sh launchers.
RCON Terminal
Run BattlEye RCon admin commands live on your Arma 3 server through our UDP proxy — 7 command categories with parameter pickers.
Arma 3 server admin docs
Read the full Arma 3 server docs →
Step-by-step guides for installing mods, configuring your server, joining, troubleshooting, and admin commands.
Config Tool Built Into XGamingServer
Get managed Arma 3 hosting with this tool in your panel — configure, deploy, and play in minutes. No file uploads needed.