BeamMP Server Admin Commands: Console, Kick, Bans and Plugins

A BeamMP server has a small built in console with nine commands: help, list, kick <name> [reason], say <message>, status, settings, lua, clear and exit. There is no built in ban command and no in game admin role. For bans, mutes, a whitelist, permission levels and chat commands like /kick, install a server plugin such as Cobalt Essentials into Resources/Server. Here is what each built in command does and how to set up proper admin tools.

The built in console commands

Type these into the server console (the window or terminal running BeamMP-Server, or your host's live console):

A few details that save time:

• Kick matches the start of a name. kick ali kicks the first player whose name starts with "ali", case insensitive. Use list first so you do not kick the wrong Alice.
• Quotes work for names with spaces: kick "Slow Driver" stop ramming.
• status is the first stop when players report lag. It tells you how many cars are spawned and whether clients are stuck syncing.

The Lua console

lua drops you into a Lua prompt connected to your server plugins. Anything you type runs as Lua. Lines starting with a colon are debugger commands:

For example, MP.SendChatMessage(-1, "Race starts in 2 minutes") in the Lua console sends the same message as say. This is mostly useful when testing or debugging plugins.

What is missing: bans and in game admin

The stock server has no ban list, no mute, no whitelist and no way for a trusted player to kick someone from inside the game. You can only act from the console. For a private server with friends that is often fine: set the server to private, share the address, and kick the rare problem.

For anything public, you want a plugin. Any console input the server does not recognise is also passed to plugins, which is how plugins add their own console commands.

Cobalt Essentials: the classic admin plugin

Cobalt Essentials is a long running admin plugin for BeamMP. It adds permission levels, groups, bans, mutes, a whitelist and chat commands.

Install it

1. Stop the server.
2. Download the latest Cobalt Essentials release from its GitHub page.
3. Extract it so the folder sits at Resources/Server/CobaltEssentials. Some releases include an extra helper folder; follow the release's own layout.
4. Start the server and watch the console for Cobalt's startup lines.

Make yourself owner

In the server console, run:

ce setgroup YourBeamMPName owner

Use your BeamMP username exactly. From then on you have full rights in game.

Commands

In game, commands start with /. In the server console they start with ce . The most used:

Permission levels mean a moderator cannot promote themselves above you: setperm refuses levels higher than the sender's own.

BeamJoy and other plugins

If you prefer menus over chat commands, BeamJoy is another popular all in one plugin with in game windows for moderation, races and game modes. Install it the same way, into Resources/Server, following its own instructions. Run one big admin plugin at a time; two plugins that both handle chat commands can conflict.

Mod cars and maps are a separate thing, covered in our guide on adding mods to a BeamMP server.

Admin settings that prevent problems

Many admin headaches are better solved in the server settings than with commands:

• Max Cars per player. Every car runs physics on every player's PC. A cap of 1 or 2 stops one person spawning a convoy that tanks everyone's frame rate.
• Private. A private server stays off the public list and only people with the address can join.
• Chat logging. With LogChat on, chat appears in the console and log, which helps when sorting out who said what.

On a GamezServers server

On a BeamMP server from GamezServers, the live console in the panel accepts every command above, including ce commands once Cobalt Essentials is installed. Upload plugins to Resources/Server with the file manager or SFTP, restart, and watch them load. Max Players, Max Cars, Private, Chat logging and the optional BeamMP key are panel settings: without a key the server runs private and players join with Direct Connect. Setting up from scratch? Read how to host a BeamMP server.

FAQ

How do I kick someone from a BeamMP server?

Type kick <name> [reason] in the server console. The name matches from the start and ignores case.

How do I ban a player on BeamMP?

The stock server has no ban command. Install a plugin such as Cobalt Essentials and use /ban <name> in game or ce ban <name> in the console.

How do I make myself admin on a BeamMP server?

With Cobalt Essentials installed, run ce setgroup YourBeamMPName owner in the server console.

What does the BeamMP status command show?

Player, car, guest and syncing counts, missed packets and the state of each server subsystem, useful when players report lag.