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How to Install Plugins (SourceMod) on Your Team Fortress 2 Server

Last updated: September 18, 2026

Plugins add voting, admin tools, custom game modes, and much more to a Team Fortress 2 server. Almost all TF2 servers use two frameworks together: MetaMod:Source, which loads the plugin system, and SourceMod, which runs the actual plugins.

What You Need

Component Where it goes Purpose
MetaMod:Sourcetf/addons/Loads plugin frameworks. Must be installed first.
SourceModtf/addons/sourcemod/Runs plugins, admin system, and votes.
Plugins (.smx)tf/addons/sourcemod/plugins/Individual features you download.
Plugin configstf/cfg/sourcemod/Settings for each plugin.

Step 1: Install MetaMod:Source

  1. Stop your server from the Console page in the NolimitHost Game Panel.
  2. Download the latest MetaMod:Source build from sourcemm.net. Choose the build for your server's operating system.
  3. Extract the archive and upload the addons folder into tf/, so you end up with tf/addons/metamod/ and a tf/addons/metamod.vdf file.
  4. Start the server and check the console. Run meta version - if it responds with version information, MetaMod is loaded.
Tip: If tf/addons/metamod.vdf is missing or the wrong game, generate a fresh one with the tool at sourcemm.net/vdf (select Team Fortress 2) and upload it into tf/addons/.

Step 2: Install SourceMod

  1. Stop the server.
  2. Download the latest SourceMod build from sourcemod.net, again matching your server's operating system.
  3. Extract the archive and upload both the addons and cfg folders into tf/. You should now have tf/addons/sourcemod/ and tf/cfg/sourcemod/.
  4. Start the server and run sm version in the console. If it reports a version, SourceMod is loading.
Important: Always use the build that matches your server's OS. A Windows build will not load on a Linux server, even if you manage the server from a Windows PC.

Step 3: Add Plugins

  1. Download the plugin's .smx file.
  2. Stop the server and upload it to tf/addons/sourcemod/plugins/.
  3. Start the server. The plugin generates its config in tf/cfg/sourcemod/ on first run.
  4. Edit that config in Files, save, and restart to apply your settings.

Useful Commands

Command Description
meta versionConfirm MetaMod is loaded.
sm versionConfirm SourceMod is loaded.
sm plugins listList all loaded plugins.
sm plugins reload <name>Reload a single plugin without restarting the server.
Tip: Add plugins one at a time and test after each one, so you can quickly find the culprit if something breaks. When you update SourceMod, keep your configs folder so your plugin settings are not overwritten.