How to Set Up a DarkRP Server: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Start Your Server

When you create a Garry's Mod server on Zeros Host, the server launches with the stock Sandbox gamemode by default. You do not need to set DarkRP as the gamemode yet: get the server running first and confirm it starts cleanly before making changes. In your panel, you will see the server console and status indicator. Once the server shows as online, you are ready to install DarkRP.

Step 2: Install DarkRP

DarkRP is a Workshop addon. Open the Mod Manager tab in your panel, search for "DarkRP", and select the official FPtje/DarkRP release. Click Install. The panel downloads and extracts the addon directly to your server without FTP. After installing, set your gamemode. In your panel or server.cfg, set:

gamemode darkrp
map gm_construct

Restart the server and confirm it loads DarkRP in the console before moving on.

Step 3: Install darkrpmodification

DarkRP requires a companion addon called darkrpmodification. Without it, you cannot change jobs, settings, or shipments: you would just have the default DarkRP with no customisation. Install it the same way as DarkRP: search "darkrpmodification" in the Mod Manager and install. This addon contains the folders you will edit in the next steps. Do not edit the core DarkRP files directly.

Step 4: Edit shared/config.lua

Inside darkrpmodification/lua/darkrp_config/shared.lua you will find the main settings. Open this file in the Browser IDE (the VS Code-style editor in your panel) to make edits directly in the browser without FTP. Key values to adjust:

-- Starting money for new players
GM.Config.startingmoney = 500

-- Default pay interval (seconds)
GM.Config.payInterval = 120

-- Allow players to pick up weapons
GM.Config.canPickupWeapons = true

Save and restart the server to apply changes.

Step 5: Add Jobs

Jobs are defined in darkrpmodification/lua/darkrp_config/jobs.lua. Add a new file here or edit the existing one. Here is a minimal job example:

TEAM_CITIZEN = DarkRP.createJob("Citizen", {
    color = Color(20, 150, 20, 255),
    model = {"models/player/Group01/male_09.mdl"},
    description = [[The default citizen.]],
    weapons = {},
    command = "citizen",
    max = 0,        -- 0 = unlimited
    salary = 45,
    admin = 0,      -- 0 = everyone
    vote = false,
    hasLicense = false,
    category = "Citizens",
})

Each job needs a unique TEAM_ variable and a unique command string. Restart after saving.

Step 6: Install ULX Admin Mod

ULX (with ULib) gives you in-game admin controls: kick, ban, mute, god mode, and rank management. Install via Mod Manager: search "ULX" and install both ULX and ULib. Restart the server. Once in-game, open the console and type:

ulx adduser <yourname> superadmin

You can then use the ULX menu (!xgui) to manage players and ranks.

Step 7: Connect and Test

Join your server using the IP and port shown in your panel. Walk through the basics: spawn as a Citizen and check your starting money matches shared.lua, open the F4 menu and confirm your custom jobs appear, test the ULX menu (!xgui) to confirm admin access works, and check the server console for Lua errors. Fix any errors before advertising the server.

If you see Lua errors on startup, the file causing them is usually named in the error message. Open it in the Browser IDE, fix the syntax, and restart.

Step 8: Add More Addons (Optional)

With DarkRP running, you can extend it with scoreboard replacements, shipment and drug mods, and custom HUD addons. The Mod Manager lets you search GitHub repos and the Workshop, then install without leaving the browser. Each addon is installed to garrysmod/addons/ automatically. Restart after each batch of installs and check the console for conflicts.