Dedicated server guide

Action: Source

Manage ahl2server with AlphaGSM. Choose a runtime supported by the recorded module capabilities.

Recorded lifecycle pass · Support evidence: 2026-10-16.

Runtime familysteamcmd-linux

Declared runtimes: Docker or a Linux host process.

Network bindings

27015/UDP, 27015/TCP, clientport/UDP, sourcetvport/UDP. Named port values remain unknown; review the game guide and configuration for additional requirements.

Mods and plugins

No mod support is declared in this snapshot; review the game guide before adding mods.

Backup hook

A module-specific backup hook is declared. Review the game guide for its scope, restore procedure and shutdown requirements.

Choose a supported runtime

Linux and Docker quickstart

Review the game guide for installation, account, licensing and runtime prerequisites before setup.

Docker

Complete interactive setup and review game-specific configuration before starting the server. Review the game guide for installation, account, licensing and runtime prerequisites before setup.

Start the Docker manager ./alphagsm-docker start
Create the game instance ./alphagsm-docker my-ahl2server create ahl2server
Complete interactive setup ./alphagsm-docker my-ahl2server setup
Start the game server ./alphagsm-docker my-ahl2server start
Check the instance status ./alphagsm-docker my-ahl2server status

./alphagsm-docker start
./alphagsm-docker my-ahl2server create ahl2server
./alphagsm-docker my-ahl2server setup
./alphagsm-docker my-ahl2server start
./alphagsm-docker my-ahl2server status

Host process

Complete interactive setup and review game-specific configuration before starting the server. Review the game guide for installation, account, licensing and runtime prerequisites before setup.

Create the game instance ./alphagsm my-ahl2server create ahl2server
Complete interactive setup ./alphagsm my-ahl2server setup
Check the host prerequisites ./alphagsm my-ahl2server doctor
Start the game server ./alphagsm my-ahl2server start
Check the instance status ./alphagsm my-ahl2server status

./alphagsm my-ahl2server create ahl2server
./alphagsm my-ahl2server setup
./alphagsm my-ahl2server doctor
./alphagsm my-ahl2server start
./alphagsm my-ahl2server status

This guide covers the ahl2server module in AlphaGSM.

ahl2server is currently PASSED on the documented Ubuntu 24.04 Linux baseline. The current GitHub integration lane exercises both process and Docker runtime selection, and the validated Linux lifecycle stays aligned across both backends while local runs remain process-backed by default unless you opt into the Docker backend. The current Linux payload does not expose a working empty-server A2S surface or the usual Source log markers, so readiness, query, info, and info --json use the runtime-resolved TCP game port consistently in both backends.

Requirements

screen
SteamCMD runtime libraries (lib32gcc-s1, lib32stdc++6)
Python packages from requirements.txt

Quick Start

Create the server:

alphagsm myahl2serv create ahl2server

Run setup:

alphagsm myahl2serv setup

Start it:

alphagsm myahl2serv start

Check it:

alphagsm myahl2serv status

Stop it:

alphagsm myahl2serv stop

Setup Details

Setup configures:

the game port (default 27015)
the install directory
the executable name
SteamCMD downloads the server files
default configuration and backup settings

Useful Commands

alphagsm myahl2serv update
alphagsm myahl2serv backup

Notes

Module name: ahl2server
Default port: 27015

Server variables

After create ahl2server, inspect or change these with set:

alphagsm myserver set --list
alphagsm myserver set KEY --describe
alphagsm myserver set KEY VALUE

Key	Aliases	Type	What it does
`map`	gamemap, startmap, level, worldname	string	The currently selected map or level. Example: `act_airport`.
`maxplayers`	users	integer	Maximum number of player slots. Example: `20`.
`port`	gameport	integer	The primary game port. Example: `27015`.
`rconpassword`	rconpass, querypassword, query_administrator_password	string	Remote console password for administrative access. Stored as a secret.
`servername`	hostname, name	string	The server's public name shown to players. Example: `AlphaGSM Action: Source`.
`serverpassword`	sv_password, password	string	Password required for players to join the server. Stored as a secret.

Developer Notes

Run File

Executable: srcds_run
Location: <install_dir>/srcds_run
Engine: Source
SteamCMD App ID: 985050
Launch mode: AlphaGSM uses Source's -console -steam flags for the Steam-installed Linux payload in both process and Docker runtimes.

Server Configuration

Config file: ahl2/cfg/server.cfg
Key settings:
- hostname — Server name
- sv_maxrate — Max network rate
- rcon_password — Remote console password
Default port: 27015
Default map: act_airport
Max players: 20
Health contract: TCP on the managed game port; the current Linux payload does not answer A2S while empty
Ports:
- Game port: 27015 (UDP)
- Client port: 27005 (UDP)
- SourceTV port: 27020 (UDP)
Template: See server-templates/ahl2server/

Maps and Mods

Map directory: ahl2/maps/
Mod directory: ahl2/addons/
Workshop support: No
Mod notes: AlphaGSM now supports manifest, direct archive url, gamebanana, and moddb addon sources for this server through the shared Source addon flow. The built-in manifest currently includes metamod and sourcemod. mod cleanup removes only AlphaGSM-tracked addon files and keeps cache/state under .alphagsm/mods/ahl2/.
Map install: Copy .bsp files into ahl2/maps/ and add to ahl2/cfg/mapcycle.txt.
Mod install: Copy addon folders into ahl2/addons/.

Configuration templates

Reference files from this source revision. Review paths, passwords and game-specific settings before use.

server.cfg

Share your server

Sector Alpha server directory

When your server is ready, you can publish its connection details and community information on Sector Alpha. Review your listing and keep the information current.

Find a community

Browse the directory for game servers and their published connection details.

Browse server directory

Publish your server

Prepare a name, address and description for your listing.

Publish a server

Manual server sharing instructions

Frequently asked questions

What support evidence is recorded for Action: Source?

Recorded lifecycle pass. Review the game guide for installation, account, licensing and runtime prerequisites before setup.

Which runtimes can run Action: Source?

Declared runtimes: Docker or a Linux host process.

Which ports does Action: Source use?

27015/UDP, 27015/TCP, clientport/UDP, sourcetvport/UDP. Named port values remain unknown; review the game guide and configuration for additional requirements.

Can I add mods to Action: Source?

No mod support is declared in this snapshot; review the game guide before adding mods.

How should I back up Action: Source?

A module-specific backup hook is declared. Review the game guide for its scope, restore procedure and shutdown requirements.

Source and support evidence

This guide mirrors AlphaGSM’s upstream documentation at 32cef5ba9e03053c8e461fffa0ba133b160b528d. Commands and prerequisites can change. Check current support notes before installation.

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