How to Install uMod (Oxide) to a RUST server
This guide is designed for installing uMod (previously known as Oxide) and will walk through how to manually install uMod to a RUST server. The uMod framework is a popular modding platform that allows RUST server owners to install and manage custom RUST server plugins.
By the end of this guide, it will have covered the basic information needed for installing uMod to a self-hosted Windows-based RUST server. If attempting to install uMod with a 3rd party game server host, the install process may differ.
There are many reasons to set up a modded RUST server, as server owners wish to offer unique and customized experiences to their RUST players. Server plugins, or otherwise known as mods (short for modifications), are small portions of code that enable extra functionality that doesn’t exist in the vanilla game. RUST server plugins can be used to add additional tools for server owners or to enhance endless aspects of the game for their players.
Installing uMod to a RUST server will open many possibilities
- Install hundreds of free and popular plugins
- Provide kits that contain equipment and resources
- Create a private or whitelisted server
- Enable different play modes (PVP, PVE, Build only, etc)
- Change resource gather rates
- Modify loot tables across the map
- Launch custom server events
- Add admin and moderation tools
- And much more…
Follow these 3 steps to get started
- Download the latest version of uMod
- Install uMod to a RUST server
- Verify that uMod is running on the RUST server
Step 1: Download the latest version of uMod
UMod’s website makes the latest version available here: https://umod.org/games/rust. Notice the description where it declares which RUST update the mod is patched for — avoid versions of uMod that do not match the protocol version and build date of the RUST server. If uMod’s version exceeds the RUST server’s protocol version, it must be updated to the latest version. Otherwise, mismatched versions will cause unexpected errors to occur.
Download the latest version of uMod to match the server’s latest patch.
Step 2: Install uMod to a RUST server
Once the bundle is downloaded, navigate to the server’s root directory. Inside the download is a single directory called ‘RustDedicated_Data.’ This directory name should match a directory of the same name within your server’s root directory. Copy this folder into your server’s root directory and overwrite any existing files.
Copy the uMod files from the download to the RUST server’s root directory.
Step 3: Verify that uMod is running on the RUST server
When the uMod files have finished copying to the server, it’s time to verify that uMod has been installed successfully. First, start up the RUST server and allow it to complete the startup process fully.
It’s important to note that if you have the validate flag in your start-up file, this will need to be removed, as it will re-download the base server files, causing the uMod files to be overwritten.
Then check the Oxide version by running the following command:
oxide.version
You should see output that looks something like the following:
Protocol: 2137.172.1 Build Date: 12/06/2018 12:11:09 Unity Version: 2018.1.4f1 Changeset: 30677 Branch: main Oxide.Rust Version: 2.0.4094
Here’s an example of what the RUST server output may look like in Window’s CMD shell.
Once uMod is successfully installed.
When the RUST server responds with the correct Oxide version, it will have been successfully set up and is now ready for you to install uMod plugins. Be sure to browse uMod’s website, as it offers an extensive list of free RUST plugins and has an emerging marketplace for premium paid-for plugins.
