How to Host a DarkRP Server: Complete Guide

DarkRP is the most-played gamemode on Garry's Mod, and running a server for it is a different challenge from most games. The gamemode itself is a Lua framework on top of a Source engine server, which means there are multiple layers to configure before the first player can join. This guide covers what each layer is, how to set it up, and how to keep the server stable once it is running.

What DarkRP needs from a server

A typical DarkRP server with 20-30 active players needs at minimum 4 GB of RAM. A busier server with a large workshop collection - hundreds of addons, custom content, lots of jobs - will sit closer to 6-8 GB. RAM is almost always the constraint before CPU becomes one.

On the CPU side, GMod's Source engine is single-threaded per game tick, so raw single-core clock speed matters more than core count. A modern processor at 3 GHz or above is comfortable. The server does not need a high-end GPU; Source engine dedicated servers do not render frames.

Storage requirements are modest for the base server, but workshop content and file history snapshots add up. Expect to use 10-20 GB with a reasonable addon set. An SSD makes a difference for the initial addon load on server start.

If your players are in the UK, a server located in the UK or northern Europe will give the best latency - typically 20-40ms for most connections. Hosting in the US will add 80-120ms for UK players, which is noticeable in a roleplay environment.

Self-hosting vs managed hosting

Self-hosting a DarkRP server is possible, but it has real requirements that are worth understanding before committing to it.

To self-host you need:

• A machine (dedicated or VPS) that stays on 24/7
• A static IP address, or a dynamic DNS service if your ISP gives you a dynamic IP
• Ports forwarded correctly: UDP 27015 is the default for GMod
• Enough upstream bandwidth - a 30-player server at peak will use several Mbps of upload
• Your own backup strategy and monitoring

Self-hosting gives you full control of the hardware and no monthly subscription, but the setup time is significant and you are responsible for every layer: OS updates, firewall rules, crash monitoring, and file recovery if something goes wrong.

Managed hosting handles all of that infrastructure. You pay a monthly fee, get a control panel with console access and file management, and can start a server in minutes rather than hours. The tradeoff is that you are working within the host's system rather than having root access to the machine.

For most DarkRP server owners, managed hosting is the faster path to a running server, especially at the start. GMod hosting at Zeros Host starts at £5/mo and includes a 24-hour free trial with no card required.

Setting up DarkRP

Whether self-hosting or using a managed panel, the server-side steps are the same.

First, install the GMod dedicated server. Through Steam, this is done via SteamCMD:

• Run steamcmd +login anonymous +app_update 4020 validate +quit
• App ID 4020 is the Garry's Mod Dedicated Server

On a managed host this is handled for you when the server is created.

Next, install the DarkRP gamemode:

• Clone the DarkRP repository from GitHub into garrysmod/gamemodes/darkrp/
• Clone DarkRP Modification (a separate repository) into garrysmod/gamemodes/darkrpmodification/ - this is where you configure your custom jobs, shipments, and entities

Set the startup parameter +gamemode darkrp so the server loads DarkRP on start. In a managed panel, this is usually a field in the server settings rather than a raw command-line argument.

To add a Workshop collection, get the collection ID from the Steam URL and pass it as +host_workshop_collection <ID> in the startup parameters. The server will download the collection content on each start. This handles client-side content download automatically.

Essential addons

A minimal DarkRP server needs a few things beyond the base gamemode:

• ULX and ULib - the standard admin system for GMod servers. ULX gives moderators and admins commands for kicking, banning, freezing, and managing players. ULib provides the underlying permission framework. Both are available on the Workshop.
• DarkRP Modification (mentioned above) - strictly speaking this is a gamemode folder, not an addon, but it is where all job definitions live. Without it, you are running the default DarkRP jobs with no customisation.
• A map - DarkRP needs a roleplay map. rp_downtown_v4c_v2 is one of the most widely used and is well suited for a new server. It is on the Workshop. Add it to your collection or install it directly.

Beyond that, the addon list grows quickly: custom job tools, vending machines, crafting systems, car dealerships. Keep the list manageable at first - each addon adds to the initial load time and can introduce Lua errors if not compatible with your other addons.

Keeping the server running well

A DarkRP server needs ongoing attention beyond the initial setup.

Scheduled restarts are important. Source engine servers accumulate memory usage and can develop Lua state issues over long uptimes. A daily restart at a low-traffic time (early morning) keeps the server clean. Most panels and self-hosted setups support cron-style scheduled tasks for this.

Backups matter particularly for data/ and gamemodes/darkrpmodification/ - these folders hold your job configs, player data (darkrp_player), and server-specific settings. Losing them means rebuilding your economy and job setup from scratch.

Addon vetting is worth taking seriously. Paid GMod addons from unofficial sources sometimes contain backdoors - obfuscated Lua that phones home or gives remote access to the attacker. Scanning new addons before adding them to a live server is good practice. The guide on securing your GMod server covers this in more detail, including what to look for in suspicious Lua files.

Starting with Zeros Host

If you want to skip the infrastructure setup and get to configuring your server, GMod hosting on Zeros Host starts at £5/mo. The panel includes a DarkRP Config Builder for editing jobs and shipments without touching raw Lua, a Backdoor Scanner, and file history that snapshots on every save. Full pricing is on the pricing page, with no setup fees.