Why Rust Needs Oxide
Vanilla Rust has no plugin API, so plugin support here comes from the Oxide/uMod framework rather than Steam Workshop. Oxide adds the hooks that plugins rely on — until it's installed, the plugin browser on the Mods tab stays empty.
Installing Oxide
- Stop your server from the Console or Overview tab.
- Go to the Software tab and install Oxide.
- Start the server back up once the install finishes.
Installing or updating Oxide requires the server to be Stopped first — the Software tab won't apply the change while it's running.
Browsing and Installing Plugins
With Oxide installed, the Mods tab's plugin browser searches umod.org directly. Search for a plugin, review its description, and install it — Spawnly downloads it as a .cs file into oxide/plugins/ on your server. Most plugins load automatically the next time Oxide reloads; some prompt for a manual server restart, which the UI will tell you about.
Removing a Plugin
Uninstalling a plugin from the Mods tab deletes its .cs file from oxide/plugins/. If a plugin created its own config or data files, those are left in place unless you clear them out yourself via the File Manager.
Updating Oxide Later
Rust updates frequently, and Oxide has to be rebuilt against each Rust update before it works again. If plugins stop loading after a Rust update, check the Software tab for a newer Oxide build — installing it follows the same stop-first process as the initial install.
Good to Know: server.cfg
Rust automatically generates a config file at server/my_server_identity/cfg/server.cfg the first time your server boots, containing settings like server.hostname, server.description, server.url, and server.maxplayers. You can edit this directly through the File Manager if you want to change your server's name or description without touching plugins.
Next Steps
Back up your server before installing new plugins or updating Oxide — see Managing Backups & Restoring Your Server. For branch details (Public/Staging/Aux01), see Getting Started with Your Rust Server.