Hello server owner,

Welcome to this simple guide on how to properly manage your own Zombie Panic! Source Dedicated Server using our own built-in admin system based on AngelScript[api.zombiepanicsource.com] language.

If you have basic experience with SourceMod, then you're halfway through this tutorial! If you don't, no need to panic. We'll teach you step by step how to add yourself as main server administrator so you can manage your server without issues!

Firstly, be sure to have fully installed your dedicated server and everything in order - a fresh install. There is a guide on how to set up a Zombie Panic! Source Dedicated Server on Windows in any case. Running on Linux? Use this guide instead[forum.zombiepanicsource.com].

Let's get started!

To first add yourself as the main server administrator with 'root' permissions, you must edit a couple of files. Searching through your server root folder, go to: zps\data\adminsystem

We'll be editing the adminsystem.json in the process where we can add your SteamID, set admin permissions and immunity.

When opening this file, you'll first see a good example on how to add an user by their SteamID setting by permissions/flags. Also their 'immunity' so other admins and mods can't target themselves. The information is straight forward there but let's move on.

// Flags
// a - Reserved slot
// b - Basic Immune (Can't be kicked from AFK etc)
// c - Kick Access
// d - Ban Access
// e - Map change Access
// f - Mute/Gag Access
// g - Ban Removal Access
// h - Mute/Gag Removal Access
// i - Rcon access
// z - Ignores targeting rules
// * - Root Access

Let's add me as an administrator with 'server owner' powers. See the following example:

Done. In this simple line, I added my SteamID by replacing those "STEAM_0:0:00000000", with root access and 100 of immune. I also added that // Tabajara to just identify myself who is that SteamID number, this part will be ignored by the plugin, so do not worry!

If you don't know your own SteamID, you can grab it by copying the following numbers when you visit your Steam profile. OR you can get it by typing "status" on the console in any server. More useful link/tool is SteamIDfinder[steamidfinder.com].

Now, I want to add a new user as a Moderator. I need to grab his/her SteamID, copy and paste the same line but adding a new code set as Moderator groups. You will notice an existing group "BasicAdmin" and we'll be adding more groups on it. Here is how the code will look fully:

There! Now I've set me as primary admin, one normal admin and one moderator on my server. To add another user as Mod or Admin, just copy and paste same code line and replace the SteamID. The user Jonnyboy will be stated as moderator in the server with the permissions I've set on.

Be sure to type the correct group name when adding new admins/mods.

WARNING: Be EXTREMELY careful when giving to other people the 'root' permission. People familiar with Linux will know 'root' as Super-administrator and those with Windows will know 'root' as Administrator. In other words, giving that permission to a malicious person is like giving him the total access of your server on a decorated plate!

It's time to get those admin powers in action! To check if you have administrator or moderator powers on the server, type "admin help" on your console. If you get a response back, this means it is working everything you have done so far! Any issues or problems on this part, be sure to double check those steps above or leave a comment!

Typing "admin help" on the console, you will see all the power you have from the group you have set. This is a simple way to know what commands you can use to operate your server. Let's start with a basic mute/gag commands.

You find yourself in a situation with a troublemaker in your server mic spamming. Players are complaining like hell about him and you must do something. Time to act!

First, we need to grab his nickname and/or his server ID number. To do so, type "status_full" on the console. It will give you a deep information about all players on the server. A small example below:


Search for the player who is mic spamming - let's say is the Player2. We know his !entindex is !3. his #id is #22 and he's in the team survivors! Good. All the information is there. Now we can proceed with a gag! Here's what you could do:
OR OR
All those following commands would immediately gag his voice on the server.
Remember: gag = mic (voice) // mute = chat box

If you would like to mute him on the chat box as well, use one of these commands:
OR OR
You can either chose to use your powers on a player by his entindex number, his ID number or by his nickname. It's up to you.

Moving to a serious situation, sometimes we might have to force a real punishment to a player if he/she doesn't listen. Let's say this Player2 is now trolling the map after his both gag and mute. We might have to kick him out of the server. To do so, by his server ID number, type:

There. You see I have added a reason of his kick in the end of my command between " ". The player will read that reason when he gets kicked from the server.

To properly ban a player, you must insert the user ID number or his nickname, time of the ban (how long he/she should be banned) and a reason for the ban. Let's say this Player2 came back and start trolling again on the server. We must end this with a ban. A good example is this:

There we go. Now he's banned for 60 minutes. Be sure to double check if his ID number hasn't been changed. Always type status_full and see what is his !entindex or #id.

If you did something in the wrong player, you can always undo it. Let's say Player2 is now behaving nicely on the server after his both mute and gag. To simply ungag or unmute a player, just execute one of the following commands:
OR
If you wish to unban a player, you must have his SteamID3. A steamID3 looks like this: [U:1:38199539]. To get this kind of SteamID from a player you just banned, you can type status on console or search for his Steam. Type the following command:

Note: You noticed that I've chosen to use #ID all the time. Feel free to use your admin command powers by the nickname or !entindex number of the player.

You can always find new Angelscript plugins on our official Zombie Panic! Source forums at Plugins[forum.zombiepanicsource.com] sub-forum.

Choose one of the plugins you'd like to add to your server, read their instructions on how to install it and to make it work.

Basically, you would be required to add the file somewhere at: zps\data\scripts\plugins
Then edit your default_plugins.txt and add the correct lines in there. For example:

In this default_plugins.txt, I have three plugins running on my server: map chooser, map voting, and rtv plugin. Be sure to always backup those files you edit on each server update. They might get overwritten.