How to Add Workshop Maps to a CS2 Dedicated Server

How CS2 servers load Workshop maps

There are two mechanisms, and picking the right one saves a lot of trial and error:

• host_workshop_map <id> — downloads one map by its Workshop ID and switches to it. Right for a server that exists to run a single map: an aim trainer, a retake setup, a practice range.
• host_workshop_collection <id> — downloads every map in a collection and builds a rotation from it, which enables end-of-match voting. Right for a community server offering a pool of maps.

Both take numeric IDs from Workshop URLs — the ?id= value on a map page or a collection page.

Step 1: install the server with SteamCMD

Install SteamCMD if you do not have it. On Linux:

# Linux
mkdir -p ~/steamcmd && cd ~/steamcmd
curl -sqL "https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz" | tar zxvf -

On Windows, download the SteamCMD zip from Valve and extract to C:\steamcmd.

Then install Counter-Strike 2. The server uses app ID 730, the same as the game:

./steamcmd.sh +force_install_dir ../cs2-server \
  +login anonymous \
  +app_update 730 validate \
  +quit

Two things worth noting. +force_install_dir must come before +login, since SteamCMD processes arguments in order. And validate is worth the extra time on a first install — a partially downloaded server produces errors that look like configuration problems.

This is a large download. Expect tens of gigabytes and plan disk space accordingly.

Step 2: get a game server login token

A public CS2 server needs a Game Server Login Token, which links it to a Steam account so it can be listed in the server browser. Create one on Steam's game server account management page using app ID 730.

You pass it with +sv_setsteamaccount. A local or LAN server used purely for testing can run without a token, but it will not appear publicly.

Step 3: run a single Workshop map

Save this as start.sh in your server directory:

#!/usr/bin/env bash
# start.sh — CS2 server booting straight into a Workshop map

GSLT="YOUR_GAME_SERVER_LOGIN_TOKEN"
WORKSHOP_MAP="3070288532"

./game/bin/linuxsteamrt64/cs2 -dedicated \
  -console \
  -usercon \
  -port 27015 \
  +sv_setsteamaccount "$GSLT" \
  +game_type 0 \
  +game_mode 0 \
  +map de_dust2 \
  +host_workshop_map "$WORKSHOP_MAP"

On Windows:

@echo off
REM start.bat — CS2 server on Windows

set GSLT=YOUR_GAME_SERVER_LOGIN_TOKEN
set WORKSHOP_MAP=3070288532

game\bin\win64\cs2.exe -dedicated -console -usercon -port 27015 ^
  +sv_setsteamaccount %GSLT% ^
  +game_type 0 +game_mode 0 ^
  +map de_dust2 ^
  +host_workshop_map %WORKSHOP_MAP%

What the parameters do:

• -dedicated — run headless rather than launching the game client.
• -console — enable the server console.
• -usercon — allow RCON connections for remote administration.
• -port — the game port; 27015 is the convention.
• +sv_setsteamaccount — your GSLT.
• +game_type / +game_mode — the mode pair (see below).
• +map de_dust2 — the stock boot map. Required.
• +host_workshop_map — the Workshop map to download and switch to.

The mode pair controls ruleset. Common combinations:

// Competitive
+game_type 0 +game_mode 1

// Casual
+game_type 0 +game_mode 0

// Deathmatch
+game_type 1 +game_mode 2

// Custom / Workshop game modes
+game_type 3 +game_mode 0

Step 4: run a collection with map voting

For a rotation, build a Workshop collection containing the maps you want, copy its ID, and swap the parameter:

#!/usr/bin/env bash
# start.sh — CS2 server with a Workshop collection

GSLT="YOUR_GAME_SERVER_LOGIN_TOKEN"
COLLECTION="2753947063"

./game/bin/linuxsteamrt64/cs2 -dedicated \
  -console \
  -usercon \
  -port 27015 \
  +sv_setsteamaccount "$GSLT" \
  +game_type 0 \
  +game_mode 0 \
  +map de_dust2 \
  +host_workshop_collection "$COLLECTION"

The server downloads everything in the collection at startup and generates the rotation itself. Unlike CS:GO, there is no need to hand-edit mapgroup or mapcycle files — CS2 derives them from the collection.

Make the collection public or unlisted. A private collection cannot be read by the server and the fetch silently produces nothing.

Useful console commands

ds_workshop_listmaps          // list Workshop maps the server can see
host_workshop_map <id>        // download and switch to a Workshop map
host_workshop_collection <id> // load a whole collection
changelevel <mapname>         // switch to an already-loaded map
status                        // current map, players, server state

ds_workshop_listmaps is the one to reach for first when something is not working. It reports what the server can actually see, which immediately separates a failed download from a wrong map name.

You can also call host_workshop_map live from the console to pull in and switch to a new map without restarting — handy when testing several candidates.

A practice server config

If the server exists for utility practice, most of the value is in the config rather than the map. Save this as game/csgo/cfg/practice.cfg and load it with exec practice:

// game/csgo/cfg/practice.cfg
// Run with: exec practice

sv_cheats 1
mp_limitteams 0
mp_autoteambalance 0
mp_maxmoney 60000
mp_startmoney 60000
mp_buytime 9999
mp_buy_anywhere 1
mp_freezetime 0
mp_roundtime 60
mp_roundtime_defuse 60
mp_respawn_on_death_ct 1
mp_respawn_on_death_t 1
sv_infinite_ammo 1
ammo_grenade_limit_total 5
sv_grenade_trajectory_enable 1
sv_showimpacts 1
mp_warmup_end
mp_restartgame 1

The notable entries: sv_grenade_trajectory_enable draws grenade arcs, sv_showimpacts shows bullet impact points, mp_buy_anywhere plus a large mp_maxmoney lets you rebuy anywhere on the map, and the respawn variables keep you moving instead of sitting out rounds.

sv_cheats 1 is required for the trajectory and impact visualisations. That is normal for a practice server and has no bearing on your account — it only affects the server you are running.

Troubleshooting

The server exits immediately on startup

Most often +map is pointing at a Workshop map. Set it to an official map and use host_workshop_map for the community one. Failing that, run SteamCMD again with validate to repair an incomplete install.

The Workshop map never loads

Check the ID is the map's own ?id= value and not a collection ID — they are interchangeable-looking numbers used by different variables. Then run ds_workshop_listmaps to see whether the download actually landed.

The collection loads no maps

Verify the collection is public or unlisted, and that it contains Counter-Strike 2 items. A collection can hold items for other games, and those are skipped without an obvious error.

The server does not show up in the browser

Almost always the GSLT: missing, expired, or registered against the wrong app ID. Also confirm the game port is reachable from outside — both UDP and TCP on 27015 by default — and that no firewall or NAT rule is dropping it.

Players cannot download the map

CS2 clients pull Workshop maps from Steam directly, so this is usually a client-side Workshop problem rather than a server one. Have the player check they can reach the Workshop at all. Unlike Source 1 games, no FastDL host is involved.

The map works but the mode is wrong

Revisit the game_type and game_mode pair. A Workshop map built for a custom mode will behave oddly under competitive rules, and vice versa.

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary

Install app 730 with SteamCMD, register a GSLT, and start the server on an official map. Add +host_workshop_map <id> for a single community map, or +host_workshop_collection <id> for a voted rotation. CS2 builds the map cycle itself, and clients fetch maps from Steam without any FastDL setup.

If you also want local copies of the maps you are hosting — for version pinning or offline testing — see downloading CS2 Workshop maps without Steam.