How to Install CounterStrikeSharp Plugins on a CS2 Server

To install CounterStrikeSharp plugins on a CS2 server, first copy Metamod:Source 2.x's addons folder into game/csgo and add Game csgo/addons/metamod under Game_LowViolence csgo_lv in game/csgo/gameinfo.gi. Then copy CounterStrikeSharp's with runtime addons folder into game/csgo. Each plugin goes in its own folder, game/csgo/addons/counterstrikesharp/plugins/PluginName/PluginName.dll. Restart and check with meta list and css_plugins list. Valve updates can remove the gameinfo.gi line, so recheck it after patches.

What you are working with

SourceMod plugins from CS:GO do not work in CS2. CounterStrikeSharp is the framework most CS2 community plugins are written for.

Before you start

• Stop the server while you upload, so nothing half loads.
• Match the operating system. Download the Linux packages for a Linux server and the Windows packages for a Windows server. Our CS2 servers run on Linux.
• Use current builds. CounterStrikeSharp's getting started guide asks for a Metamod:Source 2.x dev build, build 1467 or newer, and recommends the with runtime package for a first install because it includes the .NET runtime.

Step 1: Install Metamod:Source

1. Download the latest Metamod:Source 2.x dev build for your OS from AlliedModders.
2. Unzip it. It contains an addons folder.
3. Upload that addons folder into game/csgo/, so you end up with game/csgo/addons/metamod/.

Check you do not end up with game/csgo/addons/addons/metamod. That happens when you upload the folder one level too deep, and Metamod then never loads.

Step 2: Edit gameinfo.gi

Open game/csgo/gameinfo.gi, find Game_LowViolence csgo_lv in the SearchPaths block and add the Metamod line directly under it:

SearchPaths
{
	Game_LowViolence	csgo_lv // Perfect World content override
	Game	csgo/addons/metamod
	Game	csgo
	...

It has to sit above Game csgo. Start the server and type meta list in the console. If Metamod answers, it is loaded.

Step 3: Install CounterStrikeSharp

1. Download the latest with runtime release from the CounterStrikeSharp GitHub releases page, for your OS.
2. Unzip it and upload its addons folder into game/csgo/, merging with the one Metamod created.
3. Restart and run meta list again. CounterStrikeSharp should now appear in the list.

On Windows, the 64 bit Visual C++ Redistributable is required. On Linux, the .NET runtime may need the libicu package.

Step 4: Add plugins

Most plugin downloads already contain the folder path. Unzip one and look inside:

• If it has addons/counterstrikesharp/plugins/..., upload its addons folder into game/csgo/ like before.
• If it is just a folder with a .dll, put that folder in game/csgo/addons/counterstrikesharp/plugins/.

Either way, the result must be one folder per plugin, with the main .dll named after the folder:

addons/counterstrikesharp/plugins/
  RetakesPlugin/
    RetakesPlugin.dll
  MatchZy/
    MatchZy.dll

Restart, then run css_plugins list to see what loaded. Many plugins create their config in configs/plugins/<Name>/<Name>.json the first time they load. Edit it, then restart or reload the plugin.

Step 5: Make yourself admin

Open addons/counterstrikesharp/configs/admins.json and add your SteamID64 with the flags you want. @css/root grants every permission:

{
  "YourName": {
    "identity": "76561198000000000",
    "flags": ["@css/root"]
  }
}

The format comes from the CounterStrikeSharp admin docs. Restart after editing it.

CS2 updates quietly unload everything

The gotcha with CS2 plugins is that they break without you touching anything. gameinfo.gi belongs to the game, so when a Valve update changes it, the update writes the stock file back and your Metamod line is gone. The server starts fine, but as vanilla CS2: meta list says Unknown command, and retakes, practice mode and admin menus simply are not there. Your plugin files are still on disk, just never loaded.

After every CS2 patch:

1. Run meta list. If it says Unknown command, add the line back to gameinfo.gi and restart.
2. If Metamod loads but CounterStrikeSharp errors about gamedata or signatures, upload the latest CounterStrikeSharp release over the old one.
3. If one plugin still fails, check that plugin's releases for an update.

Do not paste an old copy of gameinfo.gi over the new one, since Valve may have changed other lines. The full walkthrough is in CS2 Metamod not loading after update.

Common problems

• meta list says Unknown command: the gameinfo.gi line is missing or below Game csgo, or Metamod is in addons/addons.
• CounterStrikeSharp missing from meta list: its addons folder did not merge into game/csgo/addons, or the wrong OS package was uploaded.
• Plugin not in css_plugins list: the .dll is not in its own folder, the folder name does not match the .dll, or the plugin needs a newer CounterStrikeSharp.
• Admin commands say no permission: the SteamID64 in admins.json is wrong, or the server was not restarted.
• Everything broke after a patch: see the section above. It is almost always gameinfo.gi.

Plugins on GamezServers

On a GamezServers CS2 server, upload Metamod, CounterStrikeSharp and plugins in the Files tab (zips extract there) or over the SFTP login in Settings, edit gameinfo.gi in the browser, and run meta list from the panel console. The server updates CS2 on every restart, so check meta list after Valve patches. Popular plugin stacks are covered in how to set up a CS2 retakes server.

FAQ

Where do CounterStrikeSharp plugins go?

In game/csgo/addons/counterstrikesharp/plugins/, each in its own folder with the .dll named after the folder.

Do I need Metamod for CounterStrikeSharp?

Yes. CounterStrikeSharp is a Metamod plugin, so Metamod:Source 2.x and the gameinfo.gi line come first.

Why did my CS2 plugins stop working after an update?

The update most likely replaced gameinfo.gi and removed the Metamod line. Add it back under Game_LowViolence csgo_lv and restart.

Can I use SourceMod plugins on CS2?

No. CS:GO SourceMod plugins do not run on CS2. Look for a CounterStrikeSharp version of the plugin.