server.maxplayers (Rust server ConVar)

server.maxplayers is the number of players who can be on the server at once. The server's help text, which Facepunch marks as generated: "Maximum number of players allowed on the server at the same time".

Applying a change

It can be set on a running server, with no restart, over RCON or in the server console:

server.maxplayers 150

Send the name alone and the server prints the current value, which is the quickest way to check what a running server is actually using.

Keeping it after a restart

A value set over RCON lives only in memory. server.writecfg does not save it: on our test server, serverauto.cfg had no server.maxplayers line. Put the value in server.cfg:

server.maxplayers 100

Facepunch's server guide says server.cfg is read at startup and takes priority over the command line, so a +server.maxplayers startup argument next to a server.cfg line is two sources for one setting. Keep one.

What players see

The cap is part of what the server reports to the Steam server list. On our test server with a cap of 100, an A2S query of the query port reported 0/100 players and the keyword mp100.

Facepunch's guide adds that more players need a faster CPU. Raising the cap does not add capacity; watch server FPS after a change.

In Panelra

Max players is under Settings and applies instantly: Panelra sends it over RCON, and it is part of the server.cfg Panelra regenerates on every apply and start, so it survives a restart. The panel accepts 1 to 1000.