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To host a Trouble in Terrorist Town (TTT) server, install the Garry’s Mod Dedicated Server with SteamCMD (application 4020), launch it with the terrortown gamemode, provide a map and player limit, and attach a unique Garry’s Mod Steam Game Server Login Token (GSLT). For maps and addons, use a Steam Workshop collection with +host_workshop_collection. A dedicated server should run under a separate account, be protected by firewall rules, and have a restart and update plan.
A listen server is suitable for a quick private game. The procedure below is for a maintainable dedicated server on Linux or Windows, whether it is for a few friends or a public community.
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Your first decision determines how much administration is required.
| Decision axis | Listen or private session | Dedicated public server |
|---|---|---|
| Setup effort | Lowest; start from the Garry’s Mod client | Higher; SteamCMD, startup arguments, GSLT, firewall rules and supervision |
| Availability | Depends on the host player staying connected | Can remain online independently of players |
| Content management | Client subscriptions or local configuration | Workshop collection or deliberate server-side addon management |
| Administration | Mostly limited to the current session | Persistent configuration, permissions, logs and restart procedures |
| Best fit | Testing TTT with friends | Scheduled games or a continuing community server |
If the server must survive your game client closing, a computer reboot or an overnight disconnect, use the dedicated approach.
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Prepare the machine and network
Operating-system and access requirements
You need a Windows or Linux machine that can run a 64-bit SteamCMD installation, enough disk space for Garry’s Mod plus workshop content, administrator access for the initial setup, and an open terminal, console or SSH session. Leave additional space for maps, updates and log files; workshop collections can grow substantially as you add content.
On Linux, create a dedicated, non-root service account for the server. Keeping the game process away from your personal account limits the damage from a compromised addon or an accidentally writable directory. On Windows, use a dedicated local account or service account when practical, and grant it access only to the server directory.
Ports and provider controls
The commonly documented Source-game connection port is 27015, but players must use the actual port configured by your server. Permit that port, and any separate query or administration ports you intentionally configure, in both the operating-system firewall and the hosting provider’s firewall or security panel. A port opened only on the machine can still be blocked upstream.
Record the public IP address, configured port and server time zone before inviting players. If your provider changes the address after a reboot, use its documented static-address or DNS option rather than distributing an address that can change.
Install the Garry’s Mod Dedicated Server with SteamCMD
SteamCMD downloads and updates the dedicated-server files. Garry’s Mod Dedicated Server uses application ID 4020; the validate argument checks the downloaded files.
Windows installation
- Download and extract SteamCMD into a directory such as
C:steamcmd. - Create a separate destination, such as
C:gmod-server. Do not install the server inside your normal game-client directory. - Open Command Prompt or PowerShell and run:
steamcmd.exe +login anonymous +force_install_dir C:gmod-server +app_update 4020 validate +quit
Use a path that exists on your machine. SteamCMD creates or updates the server files in that destination. Run the same command, with the server stopped, whenever you need to update or repair the installation.
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Linux installation
- Install SteamCMD using your distribution’s supported package or Valve’s documented installation method.
- Create the server account and directory. For example, an administrator can create a user named
gmod, give it ownership of/srv/gmod, and perform the remaining commands as that user. - From the SteamCMD directory, run:
steamcmd +login anonymous +force_install_dir ../gmodds +app_update 4020 validate +quit
The relative path in this example is resolved from the SteamCMD directory. Use an absolute path if that is easier to audit, and check ownership after extraction so the runtime account can write configuration, logs and downloaded workshop files.
Check the installation before adding content
The destination should contain the Garry’s Mod server executable and the garrysmod game directory. Do not add a large addon collection yet. A clean first launch makes it clear whether a later error comes from the base installation or from custom content.
Launch TTT with the correct startup arguments
The active mode, map and player capacity are separate startup choices. The essential arguments are -game garrysmod, +gamemode terrortown, a map and +maxplayers.
Minimal Linux launch
./srcds_run -game garrysmod +gamemode terrortown +maxplayers 16 +map gm_flatgrass
Representative launch with a Workshop collection and GSLT
~/gmod_ds/srcds_run -game garrysmod +gamemode terrortown +maxplayers 16 +map gm_flatgrass +host_workshop_collection 2052244154 +sv_setsteamaccount YOUR_GSLT
Replace the paths, collection ID and token with your own values. On Windows, use the equivalent srcds.exe or srcds_run command from the server directory, with Windows path syntax.
| Argument | Purpose | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
-game garrysmod |
Loads the Garry’s Mod game environment | The console identifies the expected game directory |
+gamemode terrortown |
Selects TTT as the active gamemode | The startup log reports terrortown, not sandbox or another mode |
+maxplayers 16 |
Sets the advertised player capacity | The value matches your hardware, bandwidth and intended group size |
+map gm_flatgrass |
Chooses the first map to load | The map exists and finishes loading without missing-file errors |
+host_workshop_collection 2052244154 |
Downloads the specified Workshop collection | Workshop items finish downloading before players join |
+sv_setsteamaccount YOUR_GSLT |
Authenticates the server with Steam | The console accepts the token without an authentication error |
Start with a small slot count while testing. Increasing maxplayers does not add CPU, memory or network capacity, and an oversized public slot count can make a server unstable.
Create and attach a GSLT
Public Garry’s Mod servers should use a Steam Game Server Login Token. Create the token through Steam’s game-server account page using the base-game app ID 4000, not the dedicated-server download ID 4020.
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- Sign in to the Steam account that will own the server credentials.
- Open Steam’s game-server account management page.
- Enter
4000as the game app ID and create a token with a descriptive memo. - Copy the token once and store it in a password manager or protected service configuration.
- Pass it at startup with
+sv_setsteamaccount YOURLOGINTOKEN.
Use a different token for every server. Do not publish it in screenshots, repositories, public launch scripts or chat. An invalid or expired token can stop authentication, while reusing one token across servers can produce Steam connection errors. If a token is exposed, revoke it and create a replacement.
Distribute maps and addons with a Workshop collection
Build an intentional collection
- In Steam Workshop, create a collection for this server.
- Add the TTT maps, weapons, entities, UI packages and dependency addons you actually require.
- Set the collection visibility so the dedicated server can fetch it.
- Copy the numeric collection ID from the collection page.
- Add
+host_workshop_collection COLLECTION_IDto the startup command.
A collection is easier to audit than a directory filled with unrelated downloads. Keep it small and remove abandoned, duplicate or incompatible addons. Record which map names are intended for the rotation; a map listed in configuration but absent from the server will fail when selected.
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Garry’s Mod also supports workshop IDs in garrysmod/cfg/srcds_workshop_ids.txt. This can be useful when you need to enumerate specific items rather than maintain a single collection. Do not maintain the same content independently in several places unless you have a clear reason, because mismatched lists make troubleshooting difficult.
TTT2-specific downloading guidance
TTT2 documentation commonly recommends a workshop-downloader addon instead of relying on the older FastDL approach for its use case. Treat that as TTT2-specific operational guidance: verify that the downloader supports your exact TTT2 version, maps and addon set before deploying it to a public server. Do not assume that a downloader designed for one TTT branch is compatible with every TTT addon.
Understand the -noworkshop failure mode
The -noworkshop launch switch disables Workshop addons. If the server starts without maps or custom entities, inspect the startup script for that flag before changing addon files. Also check for download timeouts, a private collection, invalid item IDs and dependencies that were omitted from the collection.
Configure the server identity and gameplay
Put persistent settings in garrysmod/cfg/server.cfg. Keep secrets out of this file when your operating system or hosting panel offers a protected environment-variable or credential store.
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hostname "Example TTT Server"
sv_password ""
sv_location "us"
// Add your stable gameplay and administration ConVars below
Choose a hostname that tells players what they are joining. Use sv_password for a private server and remove or change it deliberately when opening the server publicly. Administration, RCON and permission settings require their own secure values; never reuse a normal player password for administrative access.
sv_location controls the country or regional flag shown by the server browser. Facepunch documents ISO alpha-2-style values such as us and gb, plus the special value eu. Set it only when the displayed region is accurate enough for your players.
Set the map cycle and player count deliberately. TTT map rotations should contain only maps installed on the server, and the first map in the launch command should be a known-good test map. TTT ConVars can be placed in configuration files. If you need to change and save settings while the server is running, an administration framework such as ULX can provide a more manageable workflow; review its permissions before granting access.
Mount content from other Source games
Some maps and addons depend on models, textures, materials or sounds from Counter-Strike: Source, Team Fortress 2 or another supported Source title. Garry’s Mod can be directed to those installed content directories through garrysmod/cfg/mount.cfg.
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Use the paths for the games installed on the same machine, following the syntax shown in Garry’s Mod’s mount.cfg documentation. Restart the server after changing the file. Missing checkerboard textures, error models or silent weapons are often a content-mount problem rather than a TTT configuration problem.
- Confirm the source game is installed on the server, not only on your personal computer.
- Check that the configured directory path is correct for the operating system.
- Confirm that redistribution of the required game content is permitted under the relevant game terms.
- Test each dependent map after mounting and before adding more addons.
Make the server survive disconnects and reboots
Linux process supervision
Running srcds_run in an SSH window is not a persistence strategy. Use a service manager, terminal multiplexer or another supervisor that restarts the process and records its output. The simplest reboot mechanism is a crontab @reboot entry, but it should call a script that changes to the server directory, sets the required environment and starts the process as the dedicated user.
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A service manager is preferable for a long-running public server because it can express startup ordering, automatic restarts and clean shutdown behavior. Whichever mechanism you choose, test it by stopping the process, rebooting the machine and confirming that the server returns with the intended map, collection and token.
Windows restart planning
On Windows, create a batch or PowerShell launcher containing the complete command and run it through Task Scheduler or a service wrapper. Configure it to start at boot, run under the dedicated account, restart after an unexpected exit and write logs to a known directory. Test a reboot rather than assuming that a desktop shortcut will run unattended.
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Safe updates
Stop the server before running SteamCMD validation or updates. Updating while files are in use can leave a mixed installation or lock files needed by the updater. After an update, launch once without inviting players, watch the console for gamemode and Workshop errors, and only then reopen the public port.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Verify the installation before inviting players
- Start the server with the intended command and read the console from the beginning.
- Confirm that
terrortownis the active gamemode. - Confirm the first map loads and that the configured slot count is correct.
- Wait for the Workshop collection to complete downloading.
- Check that the GSLT authenticates without an error.
- Join from the host machine or local network first.
- Test one connection from outside the host network, using the public address and configured port.
- Start a round and test the maps, roles, weapons, sounds and any TTT2 extensions that matter to your group.
- Stop and restart the process to verify that all persistent settings return correctly.
Keep the first public test small. A short test with two or three players exposes missing content and permission mistakes without creating a confusing log full of unrelated addon interactions.
Troubleshoot the problems players see most often
The server does not appear in the browser
- Confirm the process is running and listening on the configured port.
- Verify the operating-system firewall and provider firewall allow the same port.
- Check that the GSLT was created for app ID
4000, is valid and is not being reused by another server. - Inspect the startup command for a typo in
+sv_setsteamaccountor an accidental-noworkshopflag. - Check the provider’s public IP and whether the machine is behind a second router or carrier-grade NAT.
- Read the console for Steam authentication, Workshop or map-load failures before changing unrelated settings.
Players cannot connect while the server is visible
- Confirm they are using the actual public address and port, not a private LAN address.
- Check that the host firewall permits inbound traffic and that the provider has applied the rule.
- Temporarily test with the password policy you intended; a stale
sv_passwordis easy to overlook. - Compare the player’s required Workshop content with the collection and remove or replace broken items.
The server loads the wrong mode
Check the launch argument for the exact value +gamemode terrortown. A server can load successfully while remaining in another mode if that argument is missing, misspelled or overridden by a later configuration. Review the startup console rather than relying on the server name.
Maps or addons are missing
- Confirm the collection is public or otherwise accessible to the server account.
- Check that the collection ID is correct and that Workshop downloads finish before map selection.
- Look for
-noworkshop, download errors and addon dependencies. - Verify that every map in the rotation exists on the server.
- For error models, textures or sounds, inspect
mount.cfgand the installed Source-game content. - Remove the newest addon and retest if the failure began after a collection change.
The server stops after you close the terminal or reboot
Move the launch command into a supervisor, scheduled task or service and run it under the dedicated account. A one-time shell command does not automatically restart after a reboot. Test the recovery path intentionally before advertising continuous uptime.
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Operate the server safely
- Keep SteamCMD and the dedicated server updated, but schedule updates during a maintenance window with the process stopped.
- Back up
server.cfg, map-cycle files, permission databases and launcher scripts, while excluding GSLTs and other secrets from ordinary backups. - Use least-privilege file permissions so the game process cannot modify unrelated system directories.
- Review every addon before adding it. A large collection increases download time, conflict risk and the number of components that require updates.
- Give administrative permissions to as few people as practical, and keep an audit trail for configuration changes.
- Monitor disk space and log growth; workshop downloads and verbose logs can silently consume a small server volume.
- Document the exact launch command, port, collection ID, map cycle and restart method so another administrator can recover the service.
When managed hosting is the better choice
A managed Garry’s Mod host can remove the need to administer SteamCMD, process supervision, firewall rules, Workshop downloads and reboot recovery. It is useful when you need a public server but cannot maintain a Linux or Windows machine. Before committing, verify that the provider supports the TTT or TTT2 branch you use, accepts Workshop collections, permits the addons and maps you need, offers a location close to your players, and documents backups, restart behavior, pricing and uptime terms. You still need to understand GSLTs, content compatibility and configuration so that a control panel does not hide a broken setup.
Recommended first deployment
For a reliable first server, install app 4020 into a separate directory, launch a clean TTT instance on a known map, create one GSLT for app ID 4000, then add a small Workshop collection. Configure the hostname, password policy, location and map cycle only after the clean test works. Finally, place the complete command under a supervisor, open the actual configured port, and test an external connection. Expand the collection one addon at a time so every failure has a clear cause.
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