Configuring an S&Box server: startup, hostname, token, ports

Introduction

Unlike GMod where everything goes through server.cfg, S&Box uses a command line combined with a JSON permission file. This separation is intentional: Facepunch removed many Source 1 ConVars and delegates everything gameplay-related to the gamemode itself.

This guide gives you the exhaustive list of exposed server parameters, what they actually do, and the ones that don't exist despite what some competitor tutorials claim.

Prerequisites

• An S&Box server deployed at VeryCloud
• Access to the Wisp Startup tab
• Your SteamID64 (useful later)

Step 1: Startup line structure

The sbox-server.exe binary is called with a series of +-prefixed switches:

sbox-server.exe +game facepunch.sandbox +hostname "VeryCloud S&Box" +port 27015 +net_query_port 27016 +net_game_server_token YOUR_TOKEN

In Wisp, you never edit this line by hand: you modify variables in the Startup tab and the panel rebuilds the command automatically.

Step 2: The +game parameter (required)

The most important one. Tells the server which package to load from sbox.game.

Format: organisation.name (lowercase, no spaces).

Valid examples:

+game facepunch.sandbox
+game facepunch.walker garry.scenemap
+game c:/projects/mygame/.sbproj

The optional second argument is a specific map. Without it, the package's default map loads.

⚠️ +game DeathMatch won't work. +game Facepunch.Sandbox either. Strict format, lowercase.

Step 3: +hostname (server list name)

+hostname "VeryCloud S&Box EN - Public Sandbox"

Spaces are allowed (within quotes). Keep it short: most gamemodes truncate beyond 30-40 characters in their lobby UI.

Step 4: +net_game_server_token (persistent Steam ID)

Without this token, your server generates a new Steam ID on every restart. Consequences:

• Players' favorites lose your server
• Player "recent servers" no longer points there
• Per-server stats (gamemode-side) reset to zero

Generate a token:

1. Go to https://steamcommunity.com/dev/managegameservers
2. Enter App ID: 1892930 (S&Box dedicated server)
3. Get the token string
4. Paste it in the SERVER_TOKEN variable in Wisp Startup

💡 You must generate one token per server. Reusing the same one across multiple instances will cause issues.

Step 5: +port and +net_query_port

• +port: main UDP game port (default 27015)
• +net_query_port: Steam query port for server list appearance (default 27016)

At VeryCloud, these ports are managed in Network from the panel. If you change the port in Wisp, make sure both PORT and QUERY_PORT variables align with the allocation.

Step 6: What does NOT exist in S&Box

Several parameters you'd expect (Source 1 / GMod legacy) aren't exposed:

Any tutorial mentioning +maxplayers or rcon_password for S&Box is likely copy-pasted from a GMod guide and incorrect.

Step 7: Save and apply

In Wisp:

1. Modify your variables in Startup
2. Click Save at the bottom
3. Restart the server (startup changes only apply on next boot)

Watch Log Viewer during restart: the full command is logged at boot start, you can verify it matches what you configured.

Troubleshooting

Server starts but doesn't appear in the list

• Verify +net_query_port is properly forwarded (UDP) on the allocation
• Confirm the gamemode package supports public listing
• Wait 1-2 minutes: Steam propagation can take a moment

Steam token throws an error

• AppID 1892930 properly set (not 590830 which is the client)
• Token fully copied, no leading/trailing spaces
• A token is only valid for one server at a time

Map doesn't load

• org.name format applies to maps too: garry.scenemap, not scenemap
• Verify the map is compatible with the package you're loading

Useful commands

# View boot command in logs
# -> Log Viewer, first lines after START

# List active sessions (from console)
status

# Clean restart
# -> RESTART button on Console view (sends SIGTERM)

Conclusion

You now master S&Box startup parameters: +game is the only truly mandatory one, +hostname and +net_game_server_token are essential for a stable public server, and several ConVars from the Source 1 world don't exist here.

Going further: configure admin permissions via users/config.json, install additional gamemodes, schedule automatic restarts.

Resources

• S&Box Docs — Dedicated Servers
• Steam Game Server Tokens
• sbox.game
• Wisp Panel Documentation