How to Set Up a Custom Map Cycle on Your CS 1.6 Server

The map cycle is the list of maps your Counter-Strike 1.6 server rotates through. It is stored in a single text file called mapcycle.txt, so changing your rotation only takes a few minutes.

How the Map Cycle Works

The server reads mapcycle.txt from top to bottom, with one map name per line. When the current map ends, it loads the next map in the list, then starts over from the top once it reaches the end.

A map name is the map's file name without the .bsp ending. For example, the file de_dust2.bsp is listed as de_dust2.

Step 1: Check Which Maps Are on Your Server

Every map in your cycle must already be uploaded to your server.

Step 2: Edit mapcycle.txt

de_dust2
de_inferno
de_nuke
cs_italy
cs_assault

Step 3: Restart Your Server

Go to the Console tab and click Restart to apply your new map rotation.

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Adding Custom Maps

Want to play maps that do not come with the game? Add them to your server first, then list them in your map cycle.

Controlling When the Map Changes

The map cycle decides which map comes next, but your server.cfg decides when the map changes. The two settings that matter most are mp_timelimit (minutes per map) and mp_maxrounds (rounds per map). See our Edit Config Files guide to change them.

Your new map rotation is ready!