Set up a Garry's Mod server and enable TTT mode - step by step

What is Garry's Mod?

Garry's Mod (short: GMod) is a sandbox game platform based on the Source engine. There are no fixed game objectives — instead, GMod offers a huge community library of game modes, addons, and maps that completely transform the experience. The most popular game mode is TTT (Trouble in Terrorist Town): a social deduction game similar to Mafia or Among Us, where Innocents and Detectives have to identify the hidden Traitors.

For your own server, you need your own Garry's Mod Dedicated Server setup with your chosen game mode. At game-serverhosting, everything runs preconfigured with active Workshop support.

Order a server

Select Garry's Mod as the game in the order wizard. TTT is the most-played mode, but you can later use the same server slot for other game modes (Sandbox, DarkRP, Deathrun) by changing the gamemode flag in the startup configuration.

Rent a Garry's Mod server

After ordering, your server will be ready to use within a few minutes. You can see the status in the dashboard.

Edit server variables in the panel

You set the most important Source server variables — sv_cheats, sv_gravity, voice chat, and the sbox_ limits (props, ragdolls, vehicles, NPCs) — directly in the panel via a guided form. game-serverhosting writes them safely to the server.cfg (including a backup), without you having to edit the file manually. You can find the editor in the server panel under Game Settings → Server Variables.

Set up TTT mode

Step 1: Set the gamemode to TTT

In the startup configuration (Panel → Startup), set the parameter:

GAMEMODE=terrortown

Alternatively, enter this in server.cfg:

gamemode terrortown

Restart the server after the change — GMod will then automatically load the TTT game mode.

Step 2: Adjust the TTT configuration

TTT settings are controlled via ConVars in the server.cfg. The most important ones:

# Number of Traitors (share of total players)
ttt_traitor_pct 0.25
# Minimum Traitors per round
ttt_traitor_max 32

# Round time in seconds
ttt_roundtime_seconds 300
# Preparation time
ttt_preptime_seconds 30

# Karma system (friendly-fire penalty)
ttt_karma 1
ttt_karma_starting 1000
ttt_karma_min 500

# Map rotation
mapcyclefile mapcycle.txt

Step 3: Set up TTT maps

TTT works best with special TTT maps (prefix: ttt_). Create a mapcycle.txt in the garrysmod/ directory:

ttt_minecraft_b5
ttt_67thway_v8
ttt_rooftops_2016
ttt_dolls_v2

The maps must be present on the server — easiest via a Workshop collection (see below).

Set up a Workshop collection

The easiest way to get maps and addons onto your server is a Steam Workshop collection.

Create a collection

1. Go to https://steamcommunity.com/workshop/browse/?appid=4000
2. Click “My Workshop Files” → “Create Collection”
3. Add all desired maps, weapons, and content packs
4. Publish the collection (it must be public)

Enter the collection ID in the panel

In the panel under Startup, enter the Workshop collection ID:

WORKSHOP_ID=123456789
WORKSHOP_AUTH_KEY=YourSteamWebAPIKey

You can create the Steam Web API key for free at https://steamcommunity.com/dev/apikey. The server automatically downloads all items in the collection on startup.

ULX — admin tool for GMod

ULX is the standard admin framework for Garry's Mod. It provides a comprehensive command set for admins as well as a permission system (ULib) for fine-grained permissions.

Install ULX

1. Subscribe on the Steam Workshop: ULX (https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=557962280) and ULib
2. Add both to the Workshop collection, or upload them manually to garrysmod/addons/

Grant admin rights

Permissions are set in the server console or via RCON:

ulx adduser "PlayerName" superadmin
ulx adduser "ModeratorName" admin

Important ULX commands

TTT-specific addons

Common problems

"Missing content" — purple textures Missing textures usually come from missing Valve game data (CS:S, HL2, etc.). Add a content pack like CS:S Weapons and Props to the Workshop collection.

Players cannot see addon items The client also needs to have subscribed to the Workshop items — or the cl_downloadall rate isn't set correctly. Add sv_allowupload 1 and sv_allowdownload 1 to the server.cfg.

TTT round does not start Check the minimum player count: TTT needs at least 2 players (default 2, recommended 4+). Check ttt_minimum_players in the config.

Conclusion

Running Garry's Mod TTT on your own server gives you full control over configuration, addons, and moderation team. Workshop collections make content sync easy, while ULX provides professional server administration.

Rent a Garry's Mod server →

FAQ

Which map rotation is recommended for TTT beginners?

For beginners, classic maps like ttt_minecraft_b5, ttt_67thway_v8, and ttt_rooftops_2016 are recommended. They are easy to navigate, well balanced, and part of every large TTT Workshop collection.

Do I need CS:S for a GMod server?

CS:S content (models, textures) is required by many addons and maps. You do not need CS:S installed on the server, but a content pack from the Workshop fixes the purple "Missing Texture" errors.

How many players are ideal for TTT?

TTT is most fun with 8–12 players, since the Traitor ratio (default: 25%) creates enough tension. Below 6 players, the game feels thin; above 20, rounds can become very long.

Can I run multiple game modes on one server?

Technically, not at the same time — a GMod server always runs in one gamemode. But you can switch the mode via RCON or map change, or use multiple server slots for different modes.