How to add Workshop maps to a CS:GO server
Run Steam Workshop maps and collections on your CS:GO server with host_workshop_map, host_workshop_collection and a Steam Web API key.
Updated · 2 min read
CS:GO servers can download maps from the Steam Workshop using host_workshop_map for a single map or host_workshop_collection for a whole collection. Both need a Steam Web API key passed as -authkey, and the server must be able to reach Steam.
What you need
- The Workshop ID of the map or collection. It's the number after
?id=in the Workshop page URL. - A Steam Web API key from steamcommunity.com/dev/apikey. Any domain name works in the form.
- A way to add launch options. Check your server's Startup settings for variables such as a Workshop collection, Workshop map or API key. If your template doesn't have them, ask in the Schokr Discord before trying to edit the startup command.
Collections must be public for the server to download them.
A single map
Launch options:
-authkey YOUR_API_KEY +host_workshop_map 123456789
Or from the console while the server is running (the API key must already be set at launch):
host_workshop_map 123456789
The server downloads the map and changes to it.
A collection
Launch options:
-authkey YOUR_API_KEY +host_workshop_collection 123456789
The server downloads every map in the collection and starts on the first one. Map voting at the end of a match then uses the collection as its map pool.
To start on a specific map from the collection, add:
+workshop_start_map 987654321
where the number is that map's own Workshop ID.
Where the maps go
Downloaded maps are stored under csgo/maps/workshop/, each in a folder named after its ID. To change to one from the console, use the workshop path:
changelevel workshop/123456789/de_examplemap
Players download Workshop maps from Steam automatically when they join.
Updating maps
The server checks for updates when it loads a Workshop map. Restart or change map to pick up a new version.
Disk space
Every map takes disk space. Schokr's free package has 10 GB of disk shared across your team's servers, and the CS:GO server itself is large, so keep collections focused. Delete unused map folders from csgo/maps/workshop/ if you're running low.
Community status note
The template is for CS:GO, which Valve replaced with Counter-Strike 2 in 2023. Workshop downloads depend on Steam services that Valve may change for legacy CS:GO. If a download fails, you can still upload map .bsp files to csgo/maps/ by hand and load them by name.
Troubleshooting
- "Failed to get workshop collection": check the collection is public and the API key is valid.
- Map downloads then the server won't change to it: the map may be for CS2 rather than CS:GO. Only CS:GO maps work.
- Players can't download the map: make sure they're on the CS:GO legacy client.
Still stuck?
Post the Workshop error from your console in the Schokr Discord.