How to Install SourceMod on a Counter-Strike: Source Server

To install SourceMod on a Counter-Strike: Source server, upload Metamod:Source first and SourceMod second, both extracted into the cstrike folder so their addons folders merge, then restart the server. Type meta list and sm version in the server console to confirm both loaded. Make yourself admin by adding your Steam ID to addons/sourcemod/configs/admins_simple.ini, and open the admin menu in game with !admin in chat.

Use the current stable builds, 1.12 or newer for both. Valve's February 2025 update moved CS:S to 64-bit, and Metamod and SourceMod builds from before then will not load on an updated server.

How the two pieces fit together

Metamod:Source sits between the engine and plugins. It hooks into the server and lets add-ons load. SourceMod is a Metamod plugin that gives you an admin system, a menu, bans, votes and the plugin format nearly every CS:S plugin uses. You need both, Metamod first. Plugins (.smx files) then go into SourceMod's folder.

Step 1: Install Metamod:Source

1. Stop the server.
2. Download the stable build for your server's operating system from sourcemm.net. Linux servers need the Linux archive even if you are on a Windows PC.
3. Extract it. You get an addons folder.
4. Upload that addons folder into cstrike, so you end up with cstrike/addons/metamod/ and the Metamod loader files in cstrike/addons/.

The most common mistake is uploading into the wrong level: the server root, or cstrike/cstrike. The path must be cstrike/addons/metamod, nothing deeper.

Step 2: Install SourceMod

1. Download the stable build from sourcemod.net, again for the server's operating system.
2. Extract it. You get addons and cfg folders.
3. Upload both into cstrike and let them merge with what is already there. SourceMod adds addons/sourcemod/ and cfg/sourcemod/.
4. Start the server.

Step 3: Check that it loaded

In the server console:

meta version
meta list
sm version
sm plugins list

meta list should show SourceMod as a running plugin. sm plugins list shows the default plugins: admin help, admin menu, basic commands, bans, chat, votes and so on.

If you get Unknown command "meta", Metamod is not loading. Check the folder path again and that you uploaded the right operating system build. If meta list works but SourceMod shows as failed, look at the newest file in addons/sourcemod/logs/ for the reason, usually a version that does not match the server.

Step 4: Make yourself admin

Open addons/sourcemod/configs/admins_simple.ini and add a line at the bottom with your Steam ID and flags:

"STEAM_0:1:12345678"  "99:z"

99 is the immunity level and z is root, which means every permission. Find your Steam ID by joining the server and typing status in the game console: the ID next to your name is the one to copy. SourceMod accepts both STEAM_0:X:Y and [U:1:N] formats.

Then run sm_reloadadmins in the server console or change the map. Join and type !admin in chat. The admin menu should open.

For moderators you trust less, give specific flags instead of root:

A moderator line could be "STEAM_0:0:7654321" "50:bcdfjk".

Commands you will use most

Admins can run these in console or as chat triggers (!kick in chat equals sm_kick in console):

sm_kick <name|#userid> [reason]
sm_ban <name|#userid> <minutes> [reason]      (0 minutes = permanent)
sm_unban <steamid>
sm_map <mapname>
sm_slay <name>
sm_cvar <cvar> <value>
sm_rcon <command>
sm_who

#userid comes from the status command and avoids kicking the wrong person when two players share a name.

Adding plugins

Plugins are .smx files. Upload them to addons/sourcemod/plugins/ and either restart or run sm plugins load name. Most plugins create a config in cfg/sourcemod/ on first load, where you set their options.

Before downloading anything, turn on what SourceMod already ships with. In addons/sourcemod/plugins/disabled/ you will find:

• mapchooser.smx for an end of map vote
• rockthevote.smx for !rtv
• nominations.smx so players can nominate maps
• randomcycle.smx for a shuffled rotation

Move the ones you want up one level into plugins/ and restart. That alone gives a public server the map voting players expect.

For more, the AlliedModders plugin list is the main source. Popular CS:S picks are SourceBans++ for shared web bans, Zombie:Reloaded, GunGame:SM and the surf and bhop timers. Read each plugin's thread for the SourceMod version it needs and for any extension it depends on.

When an update breaks everything

Valve patches occasionally move the engine functions SourceMod hooks, and plugins start failing with gamedata or signature errors in the logs. What to do:

1. Update the server files first.
2. Download fresh Metamod:Source and SourceMod builds and upload them over the old ones. Do not overwrite addons/sourcemod/configs/ or cfg/sourcemod/, since your admins and plugin settings live there.
3. Extensions (.so or .dll files in addons/sourcemod/extensions/) are compiled code. On the 64-bit server each one needs a 64-bit build. Plugins (.smx) do not care about 32 or 64 bit.
4. Check addons/sourcemod/logs/errors_*.log after the restart and remove or update whatever still fails.

Take a backup of the addons and cfg folders before any of this, so a bad upload is one restore away.

Doing it on a hosted server

On a GamezServers CS:S server the steps are the same, done through the file manager or SFTP into the cstrike folder, and the live console shows meta list and plugin errors as they happen. One click backups before an update mean a broken plugin stack never costs you your admin list. The server's Steam token is made for you at setup, so once SourceMod is in you are listed and ready. If you are setting up from scratch, the CS:S hosting guide covers server.cfg and the map cycle, and TF2 players will find the same process there.

FAQ

Do I need Metamod to run SourceMod on CS:S?

Yes. SourceMod loads as a Metamod:Source plugin. Install Metamod first, then SourceMod, both into the cstrike folder.

Why does the server say Unknown command meta?

Metamod is not loading. Usually the addons folder is in the wrong place, or you uploaded the Windows build to a Linux server. It must be cstrike/addons/metamod.

How do I add an admin in SourceMod?

Add "STEAMID" "99:z" to addons/sourcemod/configs/admins_simple.ini, then run sm_reloadadmins or change the map.

Why did my plugins stop working after a CS:S update?

The update changed something SourceMod hooks into. Update the server, then upload the latest Metamod:Source and SourceMod builds and check the error log for plugins that still fail.