Dedicated server guide

Multi Theft Auto

Manage mtaserver 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

22003/UDP, httpport/TCP. Named port values remain unknown; review the game guide and configuration for additional requirements.

Mods and plugins

Declared curated families: animationspanel, chat2, pattach. The optional animationspanel example installs its dependencies and applies the mod plan before launch.

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. Optional curated example: animationspanel. Omit all optional mod steps for a base server.

Start the Docker manager ./alphagsm-docker start
Create the game instance ./alphagsm-docker my-mtaserver create mtaserver
Complete interactive setup ./alphagsm-docker my-mtaserver setup
Optional: add animationspanel # Optional curated mod: animationspanel; add animationspanel ./alphagsm-docker my-mtaserver mod add manifest animationspanel
Optional: apply the mod plan # Optional: apply the mod plan ./alphagsm-docker my-mtaserver mod apply
Start the game server ./alphagsm-docker my-mtaserver start
Check the instance status ./alphagsm-docker my-mtaserver status

./alphagsm-docker start
./alphagsm-docker my-mtaserver create mtaserver
./alphagsm-docker my-mtaserver setup
# Optional curated mod: animationspanel; add animationspanel
./alphagsm-docker my-mtaserver mod add manifest animationspanel
# Optional: apply the mod plan
./alphagsm-docker my-mtaserver mod apply
./alphagsm-docker my-mtaserver start
./alphagsm-docker my-mtaserver status

Host process

Create the game instance ./alphagsm my-mtaserver create mtaserver
Complete interactive setup ./alphagsm my-mtaserver setup
Optional: add animationspanel # Optional curated mod: animationspanel; add animationspanel ./alphagsm my-mtaserver mod add manifest animationspanel
Optional: apply the mod plan # Optional: apply the mod plan ./alphagsm my-mtaserver mod apply
Check the host prerequisites ./alphagsm my-mtaserver doctor
Start the game server ./alphagsm my-mtaserver start
Check the instance status ./alphagsm my-mtaserver status

./alphagsm my-mtaserver create mtaserver
./alphagsm my-mtaserver setup
# Optional curated mod: animationspanel; add animationspanel
./alphagsm my-mtaserver mod add manifest animationspanel
# Optional: apply the mod plan
./alphagsm my-mtaserver mod apply
./alphagsm my-mtaserver doctor
./alphagsm my-mtaserver start
./alphagsm my-mtaserver status

This guide covers the mtaserver module in AlphaGSM.

mtaserver is currently PASSED on the documented Ubuntu 24.04 Linux baseline. The checked-in GitHub validation path for this server is Docker-first through the shared steamcmd-linux runtime, with the built-in HTTP health surface on httpport = port + 2 after AlphaGSM disables ase.

query and info resolve the runtime's reachable host, including Docker's published endpoint when AlphaGSM runs in a separate container. This routing correction is awaiting replacement GitHub CI validation.

Requirements

docker for the validated Linux lifecycle
Python packages from requirements.txt

Local process mode still exists for advanced/manual use, but the current supported AlphaGSM lifecycle on Linux is the shared Docker-backed steamcmd-linux runtime path.

Quick Start

Create the server:

alphagsm mymtaserve create mtaserver

Run setup:

alphagsm mymtaserve setup

Start it:

alphagsm mymtaserve start

Check it:

alphagsm mymtaserve status

Stop it:

alphagsm mymtaserve stop

Setup Details

Setup configures:

the game port (default 22003)
the built-in HTTP listener on httpport = port + 2
the install directory
downloads and extracts the main Linux server archive
auto-installs the official baseconfig.tar.gz bundle when mods/deathmatch/mtaserver.conf is missing
syncs mods/deathmatch/mtaserver.conf so AlphaGSM owns:
- serverport
- httpserver = 1
- httpport
- ase = 0

AlphaGSM health checks use MTA's built-in HTTP listener, so:

query checks generic tcp on httpport
info and info --json report the same tcp listener

Disabling ase avoids the extra unmanaged UDP announce port at port + 123, which keeps AlphaGSM's owned port set aligned with the validated lifecycle.

Useful Commands

alphagsm mymtaserve update
alphagsm mymtaserve backup

Mod Sources

Multi Theft Auto resource management uses the standard resource tree under mods/deathmatch/resources/.

AlphaGSM stores MTA mod cache/state under .alphagsm/mods/mtaserver/.
Current mod source support is manifest/curated, url, and community.
manifest installs checked-in MTA resource families from immutable release archives. The current built-in families are pattach, chat2, and animationspanel.
url accepts direct archive URLs for resource packs when the archive exposes either mods/deathmatch/resources/<name>/..., a top-level resource directory that contains meta.xml, or a resource archive whose root itself contains meta.xml.
community accepts canonical MTA community detail page URLs such as https://community.multitheftauto.com/index.php?p=resources&s=details&id=<id> and follows the upstream cookie-backed download flow automatically.
AlphaGSM records installed resource files per entry so mod cleanup removes only tracked resources and leaves unrelated resources alone.

Examples:

alphagsm mymtaserve mod add manifest pattach
alphagsm mymtaserve mod add url https://resources.example.invalid/coolrace.zip
alphagsm mymtaserve mod add community https://community.multitheftauto.com/index.php?p=resources&s=details&id=19052
alphagsm mymtaserve mod apply
alphagsm mymtaserve mod cleanup

Some resources still need normal MTA-side enablement or configuration after installation, such as adding them to mtaserver.conf, granting ACL rights, or starting the resource in-game.

Notes

Module name: mtaserver
Default port: 22003
Default AlphaGSM-managed httpport: 22005

Server variables

After create mtaserver, inspect or change these with set:

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

This module does not declare schema-backed keys. set --list after create is still the live source of truth.

Developer Notes

Run File

Executable: mta-server64
Location: <install_dir>/mta-server64
Engine: Custom

Server Configuration

Config file: mods/deathmatch/mtaserver.conf
Template: See server-templates/mtaserver/ if available

Maps and Mods

Map directory: mods/deathmatch/resources/
Mod directory: mods/deathmatch/resources/
Workshop support: No

Configuration templates

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

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 Multi Theft Auto?

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

Which runtimes can run Multi Theft Auto?

Declared runtimes: Docker or a Linux host process.

Which ports does Multi Theft Auto use?

22003/UDP, httpport/TCP. Named port values remain unknown; review the game guide and configuration for additional requirements.

Can I add mods to Multi Theft Auto?

Declared curated families: animationspanel, chat2, pattach. The optional animationspanel example installs its dependencies and applies the mod plan before launch.

How should I back up Multi Theft Auto?

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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