# How to make a Squad dedicated server

> What a Squad dedicated server needs, how it will work on Wilderack, how to make yourself admin, and why licensed and unlicensed servers differ.

By the Wilderack Crew. Last reviewed 2026-11-13. Topic: Getting started.

_Wilderack is not affiliated with Offworld Industries. Squad's license rules out running servers commercially, so Squad servers open on Wilderack only once Offworld makes us a hosting partner._

_Squad is a trademark of Offworld Industries Ltd. Wilderack is not affiliated with or endorsed by Offworld Industries Ltd._

A Squad dedicated server runs 100-player matches on your own rules. It needs fast CPU cores, at least 8 GB of RAM and a few config files. Players find it in the game's server browser.

> [!NOTE]
> Squad servers can't be ordered on Wilderack yet. Squad's license rules out running it commercially, and Offworld Industries licenses servers only on hardware it has approved. We open Squad once Offworld makes Wilderack a hosting partner. This guide shows how it will work then. Everything about Squad itself applies to any Squad server.

## What you need

- **Your own copy of Squad**, on PC. Every player needs one too. The dedicated server software is free and installs from Steam without a login. We never ship game files.
- **A plan with enough RAM.** Squad leans on fast single cores more than on memory, but a full server still needs room.

| Your server | Plan to start with |
|---|---|
| Seeding, or matches up to about 50 players | 8 GB |
| Full 100-player matches | 12 GB |
| Full matches with big mods | 16 GB |

## Licensed or unlicensed

Offworld licenses some community servers. A licensed server shows in the main server list and must follow Offworld's licensing rules: at least 10 admins, team-kill auto bans on, and no paid gameplay perks. Unlicensed servers show under **Custom Servers** and can change those rules.

Offworld doesn't license servers that run in virtual machines without its approval, and every Wilderack server runs in one. That is part of what we need from Offworld before we open.

## Create your server

1. Choose **Squad** in the game list.
2. Pick a plan from the table above.
3. Choose the region closest to your players. US East and Europe are open now.
4. Pick a name. It becomes your address, like `forwardbase.tosk.gg`.
5. Pay. The server installs Squad from Steam and starts.

The first start downloads about 15 GB, so it takes a few minutes. Later starts take one to five minutes.

## Make yourself admin

Squad reads admins from `SquadGame/ServerConfig/Admins.cfg`.

1. Find your SteamID64, the 17-digit number on your Steam profile link.
2. Open **Files**, then `Admins.cfg`.
3. Add a line like `Admin=76561198000000000:Admin // your name`.
4. Restart the server.

The file already has two groups, `Admin` and `Moderator`. See the [config reference](https://wilderack.com/wiki/squad/config-reference/#admins-and-bans) to change what each group can do.

## Pick how maps rotate

Under **Settings**, **Next map** chooses how the next layer is picked: players vote, your layer list in order, or shuffled. Edit the lists in `LayerRotation.cfg` and `LevelRotation.cfg` in **Files**.

## Why Squad servers stay on

Players find Squad servers in the game's browser. A server that sleeps drops out of it, so Squad servers stay on all the time and are sold on always-on plans.

## What to read next

- [How to connect](https://wilderack.com/wiki/squad/how-to-connect/)
- [Config reference](https://wilderack.com/wiki/squad/config-reference/)
- [Mods](https://wilderack.com/wiki/squad/mods/)
- [Performance](https://wilderack.com/wiki/squad/performance/)

## Questions and answers

### Can I rent a Squad server on Wilderack today?

Not yet. Squad's license rules out running servers commercially, and Offworld licenses servers only on hardware it approves. Squad opens on Wilderack once Offworld makes us a hosting partner. Join the waitlist on the Squad page to hear first.

### How much RAM does a Squad server need?

At least 8 GB, which is also Offworld's minimum for a licensed server. 12 GB suits a full 100-player match, and servers with big mods do best on 16 GB.

### Does a Squad server need a Steam login?

No. The Squad dedicated server downloads from Steam without signing in, and so do Workshop mods. Players need their own copy of Squad.

## Sources

- [Server Licensing and Administration Policies](https://www.joinsquad.com/server-licensing-and-administration-policies), Offworld Industries
- [Server Configuration](https://squad.fandom.com/wiki/Server_Configuration), Official Squad Wiki
- [Squad on Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/393380/Squad/), Valve

---

Canonical page: https://wilderack.com/wiki/squad/getting-started/
How we write and check our guides: https://wilderack.com/company/editorial-policy/
Corrections: support@wilderack.com