Installing Oxide: The Modding Platform for Rust

This guide will walk you through the process of installing Oxide, a powerful modding framework for Rust. Oxide allows server owners to add plugins and extend the functionality of their Rust servers.

Prerequisites

A working Rust Dedicated Server
Administrative access to your server files
Basic familiarity with file management and command-line interfaces

Step 1: Download Oxide

Visit the official Oxide website: https://umod.org/games/rust
Click on the "Download" button for the latest version of Oxide for Rust
Save the downloaded file to a location you can easily access

Step 2: Stop Your Rust Server

Before installing Oxide, ensure that your Rust server is completely stopped. This prevents any conflicts during the installation process.

Step 3: Install Oxide

Locate your Rust server installation directory
Extract the contents of the downloaded Oxide zip file directly into your Rust server directory
When prompted, choose to overwrite any existing files

Note: The Oxide files should be in the same directory as your RustDedicated executable.

Step 4: Verify Installation

Check that a new folder named "oxide" has been created in your server directory
Ensure that the following files exist in your server directory:

RustDedicated_Data/Managed/Oxide.Core.dll
RustDedicated_Data/Managed/Oxide.CSharp.dll
RustDedicated_Data/Managed/Oxide.References.dll
RustDedicated_Data/Managed/Oxide.Rust.dll
RustDedicated_Data/Managed/Oxide.Unity.dll

Step 5: Start Your Rust Server

Start your Rust server as you normally would. If Oxide is installed correctly, you should see Oxide-related information in your server console during startup.

Step 6: Verify Oxide is Running

Connect to your Rust server
Open the console (press F1)
Type "oxide.version" and press Enter
If Oxide is installed correctly, it should display the version information

Finding Plugins

With Oxide installed, you can add plugins to enhance your server. Here are the main sources for finding Rust plugins:

Installing Plugins

Once you've found a plugin you want to use:

Download the plugin file (.cs file)
Place the .cs file in the "oxide/plugins" directory of your Rust server
Reload the plugin using the console command: oxide.reload PluginName
Check the console for any error messages during loading

Important Safety Note:

Exercise caution when downloading and installing plugins. Stick to reputable sources and review plugin code when possible before installing.

Managing Plugins

To manage your installed plugins:

Use the "oxide.plugins" command to list all installed plugins
Use "oxide.unload PluginName" to unload a plugin
Use "oxide.load PluginName" to load a plugin
Remove the .cs file from the plugins folder to completely remove a plugin

Updating Oxide

To update Oxide in the future:

Download the latest version from the Oxide website
Stop your Rust server
Extract and overwrite the existing Oxide files in your server directory
Start your server and verify the new version using the "oxide.version" command

Remember to always backup your server files before making any significant changes. Regularly check for updates to both Oxide and your installed plugins to ensure compatibility and access to the latest features.

Troubleshooting

If Oxide doesn't load, ensure all files are in the correct locations
Check server logs for any error messages related to Oxide
Verify that your Rust server and Oxide versions are compatible
If issues persist, try a clean installation of both Rust server and Oxide

For more information and community support, visit the Oxide Community Forums.