Unlike some games that rely on in-game admin passwords or console commands, S&box handles its server permissions through a simple configuration file. Adding your Steam ID to this file grants you full control over the server, allowing you to manage players, tweak settings, and enforce rules.

This guide will show you exactly where to find the permissions file and how to give yourself administrative access.

Setting Up Admin Permissions

To make yourself (or your friends) an admin, you need to edit the users.json file.

1. Log in to your server panel and go to Actions > Shutdown to completely stop your server. Modifying files while the server is running can cause your changes to be overwritten.

   

    

2. Open your File Manager (or connect via SFTP by following this guide: How to Connect to SFTP) and navigate to the server/config/ directory.

   

    

3. Locate and open the users.json file.

   

    

4. You will need to add your specific Steam ID (usually the 64-bit version) into this file and assign the appropriate admin permission tags.

   

    

5. Save the file by clicking on Save File, and restart your server by going to Actions > Restart.

   

   

    

Note on Syntax: Because custom game modes can dictate different permission levels, the exact syntax required in users.json can vary. For the most up-to-date formatting requirements, always refer to the official S&box user permission documentation.

Troubleshooting & Tips

If your admin commands aren't working in-game, run through these common checks:

• Did you restart? The server only reads the users.json file during its initial boot sequence. If you added your ID while the server was running, the changes will not apply until the next reboot.

• Verify Your Steam ID: Ensure you are using the correct format of your Steam ID (usually SteamID64, a long string of numbers). Using a custom profile URL name will not work.

• JSON Formatting Errors: A single missing comma or bracket in the users.json file will break the formatting, causing the server to reject the entire file. If you aren't familiar with JSON, use a free online JSON validator to check your work before saving.

Conclusion

Once your Steam ID is properly configured in the users.json file, you will log in to your server with full administrative power. This setup makes it incredibly easy to manage permissions for multiple moderators without having to share a single, vulnerable admin password.

If you encounter any issues or have further questions, feel free to contact our support team for assistance! 

Happy gaming!