Installing Rust Mods & Plugins

Transform your Rust server with plugins and mods using Oxide/uMod. This guide covers installation, configuration, and management of popular Rust plugins through the Pelican control panel.

Understanding Rust Plugin Systems

Rust servers support two main plugin frameworks:

• Oxide/uMod: The most popular Rust modding framework with thousands of available plugins
• Carbon: A newer, performance-focused alternative (advanced users)

All OCNetworks Rust servers come with Oxide/uMod pre-installed and ready to use.

Accessing the Plugin Manager

The Pelican control panel provides a dedicated Mods tab for managing your Rust plugins with one-click installation.

Pelican Panel - Mods tab for one-click plugin installation and management

Plugin Manager Features

• One-Click Install: Browse and install plugins directly from the control panel
• Auto-Updates: Plugins update automatically when new versions release
• Configuration Editor: Edit plugin configs without FTP access
• Plugin Library: Access to 1000+ verified Rust plugins
• Dependency Management: Required plugins install automatically

Installing Plugins from the Control Panel

Method 1: One-Click Install (Recommended)

1. Navigate to the "Mods" tab in your Pelican panel
2. Browse popular plugins or use the search function
3. Click "Install" on your desired plugin
4. The plugin installs automatically and loads within seconds
5. Configure settings in the auto-generated config file

Method 2: Manual Upload via File Manager

1. Download the plugin .cs file from uMod.org or Lone.Design
2. Navigate to Files → oxide/plugins/
3. Upload the .cs file
4. The server automatically compiles and loads the plugin
5. Check console for confirmation: "Loaded plugin PluginName v1.0.0"

Essential Rust Plugins

Administration & Moderation

• Admin Radar: ESP for admins to monitor players and detect cheaters
• Admin Panel: Web-based admin interface for server management
• Better Chat: Advanced chat formatting, colors, and mute system
• Vanish: Make admins invisible for covert monitoring
• Server Rewards: Economy plugin for in-game rewards and shop

Player Experience

• Teleportation: /home, /tp, /tpr commands for player teleports
• Kits: Pre-configured item kits for VIPs or new players
• Remove Tool: Allow players to remove misplaced building blocks
• Stack Size Controller: Modify stack sizes for quality of life
• Auto Door Closer: Doors close automatically after opening

Performance & Optimization

• Entity Reducer: Reduce entity counts for better performance
• Performant Loading: Optimize player spawn times
• Lazy Loading: Load map chunks on-demand to reduce RAM usage
• Server FPS Monitor: Track server performance metrics

Gameplay Modifications

• Gather Manager: Multiply gather rates (wood, stone, ore, etc.)
• Loot Multiplier: Increase loot in crates and barrels
• Skill Tree: RPG progression system for players
• Economics: Server currency system
• Clans: Team system with shared resources

Configuring Plugins

Editing Plugin Configs

1. Navigate to Files → oxide/config/
2. Find the plugin's JSON config file (e.g., "GatherManager.json")
3. Click to open the built-in editor
4. Modify settings as needed
5. Save changes and reload the plugin: oxide.reload PluginName

Common Configuration Options

{
  "Settings": {
    "Gather Rate Multiplier": 2.0,
    "Stack Size Multiplier": 1.5,
    "Enable Admin Bypass": true,
    "Enable Notifications": true
  }
}

Plugin Commands

Server Console Commands

• oxide.reload PluginName - Reload a plugin after config changes
• oxide.unload PluginName - Unload/disable a plugin
• oxide.load PluginName - Load/enable a plugin
• oxide.plugins - List all loaded plugins
• oxide.version - Check Oxide/uMod version

In-Game Admin Commands

• F1 console - Open in-game console
• oxide.grant user PlayerName PluginName.permission - Grant permissions
• oxide.show perms - List all registered permissions

Popular Plugin Combinations

PVP Server Setup

- Admin Radar (monitoring)
- Better Chat (community management)
- Kits (starter gear)
- Teleportation (quality of life)
- Server Rewards (incentives)
- Clans (team system)

PVE Server Setup

- True PVE (prevent player damage)
- Remove Tool (base editing)
- Stack Size Controller (quality of life)
- Gather Manager (increased rates)
- Auto Door Closer (convenience)
- Skills System (progression)

Roleplay Server Setup

- Economics (currency system)
- Clans (groups/factions)
- Sign Artist (custom images)
- Car Lift (vehicle storage)
- Custom Loot Tables (balanced drops)
- Better Chat (roleplay formatting)

Troubleshooting Plugin Issues

Plugin Won't Load

• Check console for error messages
• Verify plugin is compatible with current Rust version
• Ensure all required dependencies are installed
• Check file permissions (should be readable by server)
• Try redownloading the plugin file

Plugin Causing Lag

• Check console for errors or warnings
• Review plugin config for excessive intervals or range values
• Temporarily unload plugin to confirm: oxide.unload PluginName
• Check plugin page for known performance issues
• Consider alternatives or optimize config settings

Config Changes Not Applying

• Ensure JSON syntax is valid (use validator)
• Reload the plugin: oxide.reload PluginName
• Some plugins require server restart for major changes
• Check console for config load errors

Plugin Resources

Where to Find Plugins

• uMod.org: Largest Rust plugin repository (official)
• Lone.Design: Premium plugins marketplace
• Codefling: Free and premium plugins
• Chaoscode: Professional plugin development

Plugin Development Resources

• Oxide/uMod API documentation
• Rust development Discord servers
• Example plugin templates on GitHub
• Community forums for plugin support

Best Practices

• Start with essential plugins first, add gradually
• Test plugins on a staging server before production
• Keep plugins updated to avoid compatibility issues
• Backup your server before installing major plugins
• Monitor server performance after adding plugins
• Read plugin documentation thoroughly
• Join plugin support Discord servers for help

Next Steps

Enhance your Rust server further:

• Optimize Startup Parameters: Fine-tune server performance settings
• Configure Admin Permissions: Set up proper admin hierarchy
• Custom Map Installation: Upload and install custom map files
• Setup Automated Restarts: Schedule daily restarts with plugin reload

Control Panel Access

Pelican Panel URL: https://panel.ocnetworks.co.uk

Features Available:

• Real-time server console
• File manager with online editing
• Scheduled task management
• Database management
• Backup and restore functions
• Server startup parameters
• Network port allocations
• Performance monitoring graphs

Post-Deployment Support

Getting Help

UK-Based 24/7 Support:

• Live Chat: Available in client area (average response: 2 minutes)
• Email Support: support@ocnetworks.co.uk (response within 1 hour)
• Discord Community: Join our Discord server for community support
• Knowledge Base: Comprehensive articles covering all aspects of Rust hosting

Service Level Agreement (SLA)

99.9% Uptime Guarantee:

• Network uptime: 99.9% monthly average
• Hardware failure response: Within 15 minutes
• Critical issue resolution: Within 1 hour
• Scheduled maintenance: Announced 48 hours in advance

Next Steps

Now that your Rust server is deployed and accessible, proceed to:

• Configuring Your Rust Server - Customize server settings and optimize performance
• Installing Mods with One-Click - Browse and install popular Oxide/uMod plugins
• Rust Server Startup Options - Comprehensive guide to server parameters

Need Help? Contact our support team at support@ocnetworks.co.uk or join our Discord community for assistance.