The RUST Server Description
The RUST server description is a RUST server setting that can be configured and modified by server owners and admins. Its primary purpose is for server owners to provide a short and limited description of their RUST server. While in the server browser, it’s most common for players to view the server description before joining.
The server description should be tailored for potential players, as they use the information to learn more about each server and make decisions on what servers to play on. It weighs heavily and is a critical factor in players’ decisions in ultimately joining a server.
Fashion the description for potential and returning players
Appearing directly below the server header image, the RUST server description can be viewed after a player has single-clicked on a RUST server name in the server browser. A small dialog window will open up, displaying the server’s header image, server name (hostname), and server description, along with a few action buttons.
RUST server owners can use the RUST server description to their advantage to help attract players into their server community. Providing critical information about their server, such as how it operates and what makes it special can help it stand out. The RUST server description is one of the first items players will see about a server, so it should strive to make an excellent first and lasting impression.
It’s important to utilize the space allotted in the server description. Be sure to display information that RUST players are looking for, and most importantly, expect to be there. The server description is arguably the best chance server owners have to entice players to join their servers. Think of it like an advertisement that tells RUST players exactly what the server is really about. Take the time to spell out what separates it from the many thousands of other servers.
Information to consider including in the server description:
- Date of the last map wipe
- Date of the last blueprint wipe
- Wipe cycle frequency (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly?)
- Server types, such as vanilla, modded
- If modded, list the important mods
- Map types, such as Custom, Barren, Hapis, and Proc Gen
- Website and discord information
- Admin contact information
- Team size limitations
- Enforced server rules
- Server’s world region
- The primary language
A few practical reasons for using the RUST server description:
- Creating and setting up a new RUST server
- Editing or modifying a server’s description for a recent wipe
- Removing a RUST server description
- Useful for “A/B testing” and experimenting
- Making enhancements to increase server population
- Providing information about frequently asked questions
- Advertising a special event or feature of the server
Who can enter the RUST server description command and variable
The RUST server description is a command and server variable that can be set in a startup file, configuration file, or issued through a command-line console by RUST server admins and moderators. Non-admin players do not have access or the ability to set and modify a RUST server description.
How to use the RUST server description command and variable
There are two primary methods for setting, modifying, or removing the RUST server description. Each method has its own pros and cons.
Method 1: Issue as a console command
- Enter the server description command, listed below, into the server console, in-game console, or RCON console.
- Using this method, any changes to the description will take effect immediately.
- Keep in mind, that this method is temporary. The server configuration file is not written to use this method.
Method 2: Update the server configuration file
- Open and modify the
server.cfgfile directly, which is located in the following directory./server/*your-server-identity*/cfg/
- Using this method, the description will be updated upon the server restarting.
- Keep in mind, if the server restarts for any reason, it will re-read the value from the
server.cfgfile, making it the “permanent” solution.
RUST server.description command syntax (1 of 1)
- This command is used to set and modify a custom RUST server description.
- There’s no default server description value provided for Vanilla servers.
- Server providers sometimes add their own advertisement as a default, so be sure to remove it.
- To create a new line, use
\ninside of the description text where you want the broken line to appear. - There is an ongoing bug in which a server’s description will be over-written with a series of numbers at a random point in time. Restart the server, so that it reads from the config file to correct this.
Get the current server description
Use the command below to report the current configuration:
server.description
On success the console will display:
server.description: ""
Set or update the server description
Use the command below (example text provided) to set or update the server description:
server.description: “Last Wiped: 9/1/1935\n Vanilla server, with active admins\n 3.5k Map Size\n Monthly BP & Map Wipes”
On success the console will display:
server.description: "Last Wiped: 9/1/1935\nVanilla server, with Active Admins\nMap Size: 3.5k\n Monthly BP & Map Wipes"
On the server dialog, it will display as:
Last Wiped: 9/1/1935 Vanilla Server, with Active Admins Map Size: 3.5k Monthly BP & Map Wipes
Remove the server description
Use the command below to remove the server description:
server.description “”
On success the console will display:
server.description: ""
On the server dialog, it will display as:
N/A
