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Run and join a Rust staging server

Rust’s staging branch is where Facepunch’s upcoming changes land before they reach the main game. Crucible Local Server can run a server on staging so you can test those changes early. The one extra step is that your own Rust client has to be on the same staging build to join it, and that switch happens in Steam, not in the app.

Create a staging server

Section titled “Create a staging server”

Use the Staging preset when you create a server. A second step asks which staging build to run:

  • staging main (the usual choice), available on vanilla, Carbon or Oxide.
  • one of the aux dev branches, which are vanilla only.

The aux branches split into two kinds:

  • aux01-staging and aux02 are public. They install like any other branch, with no code to enter.
  • aux03 and aux04 are private betas. Steam refuses them without an access code, so the app gives those rows a code field.

Facepunch rotates these branches, and the names are not always what you would guess, so the app reads the current list from Steam rather than guessing. Pick from the list it shows you.

The app installs that build for you through SteamCMD, the same as any other install. See installing the Rust server files.

Switch your Rust client to the same branch

Section titled “Switch your Rust client to the same branch”

A staging server and your Rust client have to be on the same build, or the client cannot connect. Match them in Steam:

1. Find Rust in your Steam library. A client that is already on staging shows the branch next to the name.

The Steam library showing Rust and a Rust Staging Branch main entry

2. Right-click Rust and choose Properties.

The Steam right-click menu on Rust with Properties at the bottom

3. Open the Game Versions & Betas tab and pick the build. Choose the same one your server runs: main for staging main, or the matching aux branch. Choose Default Public Version to go back to the live game.

The Game Versions and Betas tab in Rust's Steam properties, with staging main selected from a list that includes the default public version and aux branches

4. For a private aux branch, enter the access code. aux03 and aux04 are private betas: Facepunch posts an access code when one opens. Type it into Private Versions, press Check Code, then select the branch it unlocks. This is the same code the app asks for on that branch’s install row. aux01-staging and aux02 are public, so you pick them straight from the list with no code.

The Game Versions and Betas tab with an aux04 branch selected and an access code entered in the Private Versions field

5. Let Steam update Rust. Steam downloads that build of the client. Once it is done, your client is on the branch.

The Rust page in Steam with the Install button, ready to download the selected staging build

Join

Section titled “Join”

With your client on the matching branch, start the staging server in Crucible Local Server, wait for Live, and join it the same way you would any other local server. Its Join button launches the separate Rust - Staging Branch client for you (a release server launches release Rust), so the right app opens either way. Switching that client to the matching branch, above, is still yours to do in Steam. See console, RCON, and admin tools for the Join button and connect strings.

When you are done testing, switch your Steam client back to Default Public Version to play the live game again.

Section titled “Related”