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Squad Admin Commands and Console Guide for Server Owners

A complete Squad server-owner guide to console access, moderation commands, Admins.cfg, RCON, layer changes, permissions and troubleshooting.
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Squad server owners can run moderation, map-rotation, messaging and configuration commands from the in-game console or through RCON. Open the console by double-tapping the tilde/backtick key, then use an account listed in Admins.cfg with the access group required by each command. For remote administration, configure Rcon.cfg in SquadGame/ServerConfig and start the server with a matching RCON port argument.

This guide explains the command syntax, permission model, configuration files, RCON setup, layer changes and the safest workflow for everyday administration. The command names and access labels follow the Squad Server Administration documentation; configuration locations and RCON settings are described in the Server Configuration documentation.

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Open the Squad in-game console

The console is available while you are connected to a running server. Double-tap the tilde/backtick key (usually the key immediately below Esc and to the left of the number row). A single press may not open it, so press the key twice in quick succession.

  1. Join the server and wait until you can control your player.
  2. Double-tap the tilde/backtick key to display the console input line.
  3. Type the command, including its arguments and spaces, then press Enter.
  4. Use the Up and Down arrow keys to recall commands you already entered and edit them before submitting.

Keyboard layouts and client bindings can prevent the key from registering. The documented workaround is to open AllChat, press Backspace, and then try the tilde/backtick key again. This workaround is a client-side way to focus the console and does not change server permissions. The key behavior and command-history controls are documented on the Server Administration page.

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Public commands, administrator commands and access groups

Squad separates commands that any connected player may use from commands restricted by administrator access. A command can therefore be syntactically correct yet return an authorization error when the executing account lacks the required group.

Public commands

Public commands are available to all players. They are intended for player-facing or non-destructive functions and do not grant moderation authority. Their availability does not imply that the user can change maps, remove players or alter server settings.

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Administrative access

Administrative commands require an access level assigned by the server owner. The documented access labels include changemap, kick, ban, chat, config, pause, manageserver, cameraman and reserve, along with additional levels in the current command table. Give each administrator only the groups needed for their duties: a moderator who only handles player behavior generally does not need map-change or server-management authority.

Administrators and their groups are defined in SquadGame/ServerConfig/Admins.cfg. Add the administrator identity in the format used by the file generated for your server, then assign the minimum required groups. Keep a backup of the file before editing it and restart or reload the server according to your deployment process so the change is actually read.

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Essential moderation and operations commands

Enter commands exactly as shown. Replace the angle-bracketed arguments with real values; do not type the brackets. Names containing spaces may need the quoting or escaping convention supported by the server version, while Steam IDs avoid ambiguity. Every command below requires the access group shown in the table.

Command Syntax What it does Required access
AdminKick AdminKick <NameOrSteamId> <KickReason> Removes a connected player from the server. The reason is shown as the kick explanation. kick
AdminKickById AdminKickById <SteamId> <KickReason> Kicks a player by Steam ID when a display name is ambiguous or has changed. kick
AdminBan AdminBan <NameOrSteamId> <BanLength> <BanReason> Bans a player for the specified duration. A duration of 0 is permanent; documented examples include 1d and 1M. ban
AdminBanById AdminBanById <SteamId> <BanLength> <BanReason> Applies the same duration-based ban using a Steam ID rather than a name. ban
AdminBroadcast AdminBroadcast <Message> Sends a system message to every player on the server. chat
AdminChangeLayer AdminChangeLayer <LayerName> Moves the server immediately to the specified layer. changemap
AdminSetNextLayer AdminSetNextLayer <LayerName> Schedules the specified layer for the next transition instead of changing the current match immediately. changemap
AdminSetMaxNumPlayers AdminSetMaxNumPlayers <NumPlayers> Changes the server’s maximum player count. config

The complete command list, including additional management and camera functions, and the access label attached to each command are maintained in the Squad Server Administration command table. If a command is rejected, check both the spelling and the administrator’s assigned group before troubleshooting the server itself.

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Ban-duration decisions

  • Use a short duration such as 1d when the incident calls for a temporary removal.
  • Use the documented month-style example 1M when a longer fixed period is justified.
  • Use 0 only for a permanent ban and record the reason clearly so another administrator can audit the decision.

Where Squad keeps server administration files

The dedicated server’s administrative files are under SquadGame/ServerConfig. The exact parent directory depends on how and where you installed the server, but the relative path is the same in the documented configuration layout.

File or group Purpose When you edit it
Admins.cfg Administrator identities and their access groups. When granting, reducing or revoking administrative authority.
Bans.cfg Persistent ban entries used by the server. When reviewing or manually maintaining bans outside the live console workflow.
Rcon.cfg Remote-console bind and connection settings, including IP, port, password, connection limit and timeout checks. Before enabling RCON or changing its network policy.
Server.cfg General server settings. When applying documented server configuration options.
Layer- and level-rotation files Define the maps and layers offered in the server’s rotation. When changing the normal match sequence or available layers.
Voting files Control the relevant voting configuration for map or layer transitions. When adjusting how players vote during rotation changes.

Use the server’s existing file structure as the template for edits. Keep a copy of the previous version, make one logical change at a time and verify the result in the server log or in-game behavior. The file locations and roles are listed in the Server Configuration documentation.

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Configure RCON for remote administration

RCON lets an authorized tool connect to the dedicated server without an administrator being physically present in the game. It is useful for scheduled operations, moderation from a separate machine and integrations, but it exposes a control interface that should be restricted like any other administrative service.

RCON settings in Rcon.cfg

Open SquadGame/ServerConfig/Rcon.cfg and set the bind IP, port, password, maximum number of connections and timeout-check interval using the keys already present in the file. The documented default port is 21114; treat that as a configuration default, not a requirement, and choose a different port if it better fits your network policy. The configuration documentation explicitly states that leaving Password= empty keeps RCON disabled.

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  • Bind IP: choose the interface on which the RCON listener should accept connections. Binding only to a management interface is safer than exposing every interface.
  • Port: use the configured RCON port consistently in the firewall, client and launch arguments.
  • Password: set a strong, unique secret for RCON. An empty value disables the service.
  • Maximum connections: limit simultaneous RCON clients to the number your operations actually need. The documented example uses 5; it is an example setting, not a recommended capacity for every server.
  • Timeout checks: retain a sensible interval so abandoned RCON sessions are cleared. The documentation’s example uses 120 seconds, which is a configuration example rather than a performance measurement.

Match the launch argument

When the installation requires an explicit command-line setting, start the server with RCONPORT=<port>, replacing the value with the port configured in Rcon.cfg. A mismatch between the file and launch argument can leave the server listening on a different port than the client expects. The installation process and launch requirements are covered in the Squad Server Installation documentation.

RCON setup sequence

  1. Install or update the dedicated server with SteamCMD, following the current installation procedure.
  2. Stop the server before changing configuration files.
  3. Open SquadGame/ServerConfig and review Admins.cfg, Bans.cfg, Server.cfg, the rotation and voting files, and Rcon.cfg.
  4. Add administrators and least-privilege groups in Admins.cfg.
  5. Set the RCON bind IP, port, password, connection limit and timeout-check interval in Rcon.cfg. Leave Password= empty if you do not want RCON.
  6. Allow the selected port only from trusted management addresses in the host firewall or network security group.
  7. Start the server with a matching RCONPORT=<port> argument when required by your installation.
  8. Connect with one RCON client, run a harmless command such as an administrative broadcast, and confirm that the result appears in game.
  9. Record which account or integration used the connection and close unused sessions.

Never publish the RCON password in a chat channel, commit it to a public repository or reuse it for another service. If the credential is exposed, stop RCON, replace the password and restart the server before allowing remote connections again.

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Change the current or next layer

Immediate change with AdminChangeLayer

AdminChangeLayer <LayerName> moves the server to the selected layer immediately. Use it for an operational emergency, a deliberate mid-session change or a recovery when the current layer is unsuitable. Warn players first with AdminBroadcast when practical, because an immediate change interrupts the current match.

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Schedule the next match with AdminSetNextLayer

AdminSetNextLayer <LayerName> leaves the current match running and selects the layer for the next transition. This is normally the lower-disruption option for planned rotation changes.

Layer IDs are not always the same as the display names shown in the game browser. Copy the exact ID used by the server’s configuration or rotation file. The configuration documentation shows faction-aware syntax such as AdminSetNextLayer Anvil_AAS_v1 BAF INS; the two faction arguments are part of that documented example and must match the layer’s expected factions.

Interaction with layer voting

When layer voting is enabled, setting a next layer prevents the normal voting stage for that transition. Decide whether the operational need justifies bypassing player choice, then announce the selected layer so the change is not mistaken for a voting failure. The immediate-versus-next behavior and voting interaction are described in the Server Configuration documentation.

A practical administration workflow

Use the following sequence when taking over a new server or standardizing an existing one.

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  1. Confirm the installation. Verify that the dedicated server is updated and that you can locate SquadGame/ServerConfig.
  2. Inventory access. Review Admins.cfg and remove obsolete identities. Assign kick, ban, chat, changemap or config only where each role needs them.
  3. Review persistence. Check Bans.cfg, Server.cfg, layer and level rotations, and voting files before changing the live server.
  4. Choose an administration path. Use the in-game console for a quick, visible intervention; use RCON when the operator is remote or a repeatable integration is required.
  5. Test low-risk commands. Confirm that an authorized administrator can broadcast a message and inspect the active rotation before testing a kick, ban or layer change.
  6. Document disruptive actions. Record the player ID, reason, duration and responsible administrator for kicks and bans; record the old and new layer for forced changes.
  7. Verify after restarting. Reconnect through the console or RCON and confirm that permissions, bans, rotation and network settings survived the restart.

Discord and scripted RCON automation

The open-source SquadJS project documents a DiscordRcon plugin that turns a specified Discord channel into an RCON console and supports command permissions by Discord role or identifier. It can centralize moderation for a team that already works in Discord, but it remains a third-party integration: test it against the exact Squad server version and plugin release before using it on a production server. Review its permission mapping so a broad Discord role does not accidentally receive ban, changemap or config access. The project documentation is available at github.com/Team-Silver-Sphere/SquadJS.

Troubleshooting common failures

The console does not open

  • Double-tap the tilde/backtick key rather than pressing it once.
  • Try the documented AllChat-then-Backspace workaround, then press the key again.
  • Check whether your keyboard layout places the backtick character on a different key.
  • Confirm that you are connected to a live server and not typing into another chat or menu field.

The command is rejected or says you lack permission

  • Check the command spelling and argument order against the Server Administration command table.
  • Confirm that the executing identity appears in Admins.cfg.
  • Verify the specific access group: kick does not automatically grant ban, and chat does not grant changemap.
  • After editing the file, restart or reload the server as required so the new permissions are loaded.

The player cannot be found by name

Use the player’s Steam ID with AdminKickById or AdminBanById. IDs avoid duplicate names, unusual characters and name changes. Confirm the ID before applying a permanent ban.

The layer change fails

  • Copy the layer ID from the server’s rotation or configuration file instead of using the browser’s display label.
  • Use AdminChangeLayer only when you intend to interrupt the current match; use AdminSetNextLayer for the next transition.
  • For faction-aware layers, include the faction arguments in the documented order, as in AdminSetNextLayer Anvil_AAS_v1 BAF INS.
  • Check whether a configuration or voting rule is replacing the requested rotation entry.

RCON will not connect

  1. Confirm that Password= is not empty; an empty password intentionally disables RCON.
  2. Check that the client uses the same port configured in Rcon.cfg and in the RCONPORT=<port> launch argument.
  3. Verify the bind IP and host firewall permit the management machine.
  4. Check the connection limit and timeout settings for stale sessions.
  5. Restart the server after configuration changes and test with one authorized client before adding integrations.

A forced next layer skips voting

This is expected when AdminSetNextLayer is used while layer voting is enabled. Clear or replace the scheduled next layer according to your server’s configuration process if you want the normal voting stage to return.

Choosing the right administration method

Situation Best fit Reason Main risk to control
Moderator is playing on the server and needs to remove a disruptive player In-game console with AdminKick or AdminKickById Immediate and visible to the operator. Misidentifying a player; verify the ID or name first.
Owner needs to schedule tomorrow’s layer rotation AdminSetNextLayer or rotation-file edit Changes the next transition without abruptly ending the current match. Using a display name instead of the configured layer ID.
Owner must change the current layer during an incident AdminChangeLayer Acts immediately. Interrupting players and bypassing the expected rotation.
Remote team needs repeatable operations RCON with least-privilege accounts Works without joining the game and can be scripted. Exposing the port or password; restrict network access.
Community wants moderation from a shared operations channel SquadJS DiscordRcon after compatibility testing Centralizes commands and can map permissions to roles. Third-party version incompatibility or overly broad role permissions.

For most servers, a least-privilege split works well: moderators receive only the groups needed for player conduct and messaging, senior administrators receive map or configuration access, and RCON integrations receive a narrowly defined set of commands. Keep a written change record for bans, forced layers and player-limit changes so live operations remain accountable.

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