How to Set Up a CS2 Retakes Server (CounterStrikeSharp, 2026)

To set up a CS2 retakes server, install Metamod:Source and CounterStrikeSharp, then upload B3none's cs2-retakes plugin into game/csgo/addons/counterstrikesharp/ and restart. The plugin ships ready made spawns for the main competitive maps, writes its settings to retakes_config.json and its cvars to cfg/cs2-retakes/retakes.cfg, and handles bombsite picks, queues, team balance and auto plant. Add a weapon allocator plugin and you have the full retakes experience.

What you need

Retakes is light on the server. A 10 player retakes server runs well on 4 GB, and 6 GB gives room for extra plugins and a bigger player count.

Step 1: Install Metamod:Source

1. Download the latest Metamod:Source 2.x dev build for Linux from sourcemm.net. CounterStrikeSharp's docs currently ask for build 1467 or newer.
2. Extract it and upload the addons folder into game/csgo/.
3. Open game/csgo/gameinfo.gi. Find the line Game_LowViolence csgo_lv and add this line directly under it:

			Game	csgo/addons/metamod

4. Restart the server and type meta list in the console. If Metamod answers, it is loaded.

CS2 updates sometimes replace gameinfo.gi. If plugins stop loading after a patch, check that line first.

Step 2: Install CounterStrikeSharp

1. Download the with runtime build of the latest release from the CounterStrikeSharp GitHub. The first install needs the bundled .NET runtime. Later updates can use the smaller build.
2. Extract it and upload the addons folder into game/csgo/, merging with the Metamod one.
3. Restart. meta list should now show CounterStrikeSharp, and css_plugins list lists its plugins.

Full details are in the CounterStrikeSharp getting started guide.

Step 3: Install cs2-retakes

1. Go to the cs2-retakes releases. Download RetakesPlugin-<version>.zip, the one with map configs. The no-map-configs zip is for people building every spawn themselves.
2. Unzip it and upload the contents into game/csgo/addons/counterstrikesharp/.
3. Restart the server, or load a map.

On first load the plugin creates:

• addons/counterstrikesharp/configs/plugins/RetakesPlugin/retakes_config.json for plugin settings.
• cfg/cs2-retakes/retakes.cfg, run on every map start, with the cvars retakes needs.
• cfg/cs2-retakes/retakes_unload.cfg, run if the plugin unloads, to put normal values back.

Spawns live in addons/counterstrikesharp/plugins/RetakesPlugin/map_config/, one JSON file per map: de_dust2.json, de_mirage.json, de_inferno.json, de_nuke.json, de_ancient.json, de_anubis.json, de_overpass.json, de_vertigo.json, de_train.json and more.

Step 4: Set the game mode and start map

Run retakes in competitive mode on a map that has a spawn file:

game_type 0; game_mode 1; changelevel de_mirage

Load into the server. In warmup you should see the retakes messages, then the first round starts with the bomb already planted and the Terrorists defending it.

Step 5: Tune retakes_config.json

The settings people actually change:

Our pick for a public server: MaxPlayers 9, MinimumPlayers 2 so a lone player is not stuck playing rounds against nobody, and ShouldAutoJoinGame true so new players are not left staring at the team menu. Reload the plugin or change map after editing.

Step 6: Adjust retakes.cfg

The top half of retakes.cfg is marked "Things you shouldn't change" (no bots, no money, no halftime, auto balance off). Leave it. The bottom half is yours:

mp_roundtime_defuse 1.25
mp_freezetime 1
mp_round_restart_delay 2
mp_maxrounds 30
mp_warmuptime 15
sv_deadtalk 1
mp_friendlyfire 0

mp_roundtime_defuse is the round length in minutes. 1.25 is the plugin's default and plays well. If you want a longer warmup while people trickle in, raise mp_warmuptime.

Step 7: Add a weapon allocator

The built in allocation works but is basic. The cs2-retakes README recommends using one dedicated allocator. Of the ones it lists, Ravid's cs2-retakes-weapon-allocator is the one still being updated. Install it into addons/counterstrikesharp/plugins/, then set EnableFallbackAllocation to false in retakes_config.json so the two do not fight.

B3none also recommends cs2-instadefuse (instant defuse when no Terrorist can stop it) and cs2-clutch-announce.

Step 8: Make yourself admin and edit spawns

Spawn editing needs the @css/root flag. Add yourself in addons/counterstrikesharp/configs/admins.json:

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

Restart or change map, then in chat:

To add spawns for a new or Workshop map, load it, run !showspawns A, walk to each spot and add a mix of CT and T spawns, with planter (Y) spawns on the site itself. Repeat for B. The plugin writes the map's JSON file. A map needs enough spawns for your MaxPlayers on each side, or players are left out.

Running retakes on GamezServers

Upload Metamod, CounterStrikeSharp and the plugin in the Files tab or over SFTP. gameinfo.gi is in game/csgo/, editable in the browser. Set Game type 0 and Game mode 1 and a Start map with spawns in Settings, restart, and you are playing. Use Change map to rotate maps, and the console for meta list and css_plugins list checks. Every other console command is in our CS2 server commands list. A CS2 server with us starts at 9.99 USD a month for 4 GB, and the 8 GB plan is sized for a full 32 player lobby if you run several modes. New to hosting? Start with our CS2 Quick start.

FAQ

Why does my retakes server say no spawns found?

The map has no file in map_config, or the file name does not match the map name. Use one of the bundled maps, or add spawns yourself with !showspawns and !addspawn.

Why are there bots on my retakes server?

Something is overriding bot_quota 0 from retakes.cfg, usually your own server.cfg or a game mode config. Remove bot_quota from your configs and run bot_kick.

How many players can a CS2 retakes server have?

The plugin allows up to 10 in a round, set by MaxPlayers, and everyone else waits in a queue. More players at once needs more spawns per site.

Do retakes plugins break after CS2 updates?

Sometimes. Updates can overwrite gameinfo.gi or change things CounterStrikeSharp relies on. Re-add the Metamod line, update CounterStrikeSharp, and check the plugin's releases page.

Can I play retakes on Workshop maps?

Yes. Load the map with host_workshop_map, then add spawns for both sites with the spawn editor. The plugin saves a config named after the map.