Typical first-run problems and what people ask most.
SmartScreen warns on launch — is it a virus?
No. The build isn’t code-signed yet, so Windows shows “unknown publisher”. Click “More info → Run anyway”. Signing arrives with the first paid release.
Do I need a public IP?
For the Rust server itself — yes, as always: players must reach it. For the panel and bot — no: the panel is local, the bot talks to Telegram on its own. The Mini App on your phone works without a public IP through our relay (Max tier).
My ISP blocks Telegram.
The bot can go through your proxy (SOCKS5/HTTP) or through our public Bot API relay, included in Max. Switching is automatic: if api.telegram.org times out, the core moves to the mirror.
What happens to the server if the launcher crashes?
Nothing. The server is a separate process and doesn’t depend on the core. The core runs as a Windows service and restarts itself; after coming back it attaches to the already running server instead of restarting it.
A plugin update broke the server.
The core sees it over RCON (plugin not loaded), restores the previous version from backup and quarantines the update. You get an alert with buttons “Keep the old one” / “Try again”.
How is it different from RSM?
ROL is built around uptime: night updates through a staging copy, plugin rollback, a watchdog that respects a manual stop, Telegram with buttons, and it works from Russia without workarounds. And there is a free tier.
Can I run it on Linux?
Not yet — Windows 10/11 only. Linux is planned, no date.
How do I pay?
Message the bot — you’ll get the available payment options. The key arrives in the same chat.
Port is busy.
Preflight shows which process holds it. Change the port in the server settings — the panel suggests a free one — or stop the other process.
steamcmd won’t download the game.
Usually antivirus or a proxy. Make sure the servers folder is excluded and retry. The core never validates in the live folder: a Steam failure means retry, not reinstall.
The server didn’t come up after an update.
Open “Log → patch day”. If Oxide is behind (no build for the new version yet), the core waits for it and starts the server as soon as it appears. In a hurry — “Start without Oxide”.
Where is my data?
Everything is in the launcher folder: settings.json, servers.json, secrets.json, backups in backups\. Servers stay where you created them. Backup = a copy of the launcher folder.
How do I uninstall?
Stop the service in the panel (“Settings → Service → Remove”) and delete the launcher folder. Servers stay in place.
Where is support?
