Setting Up RCON for Remote Server Management

What is RCON?

RCON (Remote Console) lets you manage your Rust server from your browser or desktop — without being in the game. You can run commands, monitor players, schedule restarts, and automate messages.

Your RCON Credentials

You need three things to connect:

• Server IP
• RCON Port — found in the Startup tab or Network tab of your game panel. Do not assume it is your game port + 1 — on Pterodactyl, the RCON port is a separately allocated port
• RCON Password — found in the Startup tab of your game panel

Security warning: RCON gives full control of your server. Use a strong, unique password. Never share your RCON credentials publicly.

RCON Tools

Rust uses WebSocket-based RCON (WebRCON), not traditional TCP RCON. Standard RCON tools for other games (like mcrcon) will not work. Use one of these:

• BattleMetrics (recommended) — Cloud-based, supports team access with role permissions, includes scheduled tasks and player tracking
• RustAdmin — Desktop application for Windows
• WebRcon tools — Various browser-based tools available

Connecting

1. Open your RCON tool
2. Set the Server IP to your server IP
3. Set the Port to your RCON port (check your panel)
4. Enter your RCON Password
5. Select WebRcon as the connection type
6. Connect

What You Can Do with RCON

• Monitor player activity and chat in real-time
• Kick and ban players without being in-game
• Schedule automatic server restarts
• Set up automated chat messages (server rules, announcements)
• Run any server console command remotely

Tips

• If you suspect your RCON password has been compromised, change it in the Startup tab and restart your server
• Use BattleMetrics for team management — it supports role-based access so you do not need to share the password with moderators