Sandbox · Lightweight
Host a Garry's Mod Server
Host Garry's Mod on your own Windows 10/11 or Linux computer. Swarm Hosts gives you a browser control panel to start, stop, monitor, and back up your server.
- Server Actions
- Guided settings
- Backups
Available in Early Access
Hardware and runtime
What Garry's Mod needs
Minimum requirements are a starting point. World size, player count, content, and game settings can require more resources.
- CPU
- 2+ cores
- Memory
- 2 GiB minimum
- Player traffic
- UDP
- Backup coverage
- 3 saved data locations
- Persistent data: /serverdata
- Network: one assigned UDP game/query port; TCP RCON remains container-local
- First start: installs the dedicated server before readiness can pass
- Server Actions: private, authenticated Source RCON; no public RCON port
- Backups: configuration, generated data, and manually managed addons
Technical overview
Garry's Mod publishes one UDP Source-engine game port. Swarm Hosts stores server files under /serverdata and waits for a Source-query response before marking the Swarm Server ready.
Launch workflow
From host to running server
Use Settings → Garry's Mod Settings for managed values after launch. Saving settings restarts or recreates the server and disconnects players. Treat free-form server parameters as advanced input: make one change at a time, keep a backup, and confirm the server still answers a Source query.
- Choose Garry's Mod.
- Review the server parameters for map, player count, and game mode.
- Set CPU and memory limits.
- Leave Server Actions password blank to generate one automatically, or set 16–128 letters, digits, underscores, or hyphens. Keep it private.
- Launch and allow extra time for the first install.
Networking
How players connect
Players can use the Garry's Mod server browser or direct-connect with the published host and assigned port.
Managed shared relay when the game, host, and current relay path support it.
Server Actions
Manage your Garry's Mod server
Available tools depend on the game, server status, and your permissions. The game guide explains any setup needed for Server Actions.
Server status
Read the current map and player summary.
List players
Refresh the verified connected-player list.
List installed maps
Refresh maps installed in the pinned runtime.
List bans
Refresh identities currently banned by the Source server.
Broadcast message
Send a server-authored chat message.
Change map
Change immediately to a freshly verified installed map.
Kick player
Disconnect a freshly verified connected player.
Ban player
Ban and disconnect a freshly verified connected player, then persist the ban list.
Remove ban
Remove a freshly verified Source identity ban and persist the ban list.
Mods & Content status
Mods and custom content
The pinned wrapper has no verified Workshop resolver. Back up the server and manage trusted addons under the persisted Garry's Mod tree; recorded identifiers are informational only.
Workshop downloads are not managed automatically. To change addons, create a backup, stop the server, and upload compatible files under serverfiles/garrysmod/addons through Files & Backups. Then start the server, review the logs, and verify that players can join. Addons can execute server code. There is no Garry's Mod Mods & Content page.
Know before launch
Before you launch
- Host on Windows 10/11 or Linux with Docker Desktop in Linux-container mode on Windows, or Docker Engine or rootful Podman on Linux.
- Managed shared relay when the game, host, and current relay path support it.
Windows 10/11 + Linux
Ready to host Garry's Mod?
Connect the Windows or Linux computer you already own, then follow the game-specific launch path.