SCP: Secret Laboratory is configured through plain text files. Changing your server name, player limit, friendly fire, and other game rules all comes down to editing a couple of files in your server's config folder.
This guide shows you where those files live and how to edit them safely.
Step 1: Finding The Config Folder
SCP: SL keeps each server's config in a folder named after the server's game port.
- Log into your MintServers panel and click the Stop button to safely shut down your server.
- Navigate to the Files tab on the left-hand sidebar.
- Use the interactive file manager to open the folders below:
📁 server (or your main server directory)
📁 .config
📁 SCP Secret Laboratory
📁 config
📁 (a folder named after your server's port, for example 7777)
📄 config_remoteadmin.txt (admins, roles and permissions)
folder is the number after the colon in your server's address. If you see more than one port folder, edit the one that matches your server, because changes in the wrong folder will not do anything.
Step 2: Editing config_gameplay.txt
Click on the config_gameplay.txt file to open the text editor. Every setting is written on its own line as a name, a colon, a space, and then a value.
Here are some of the most commonly changed settings:
server_name- The name shown in the server list.max_players- The maximum number of players. The default is 20.friendly_fire- Set totrueto let teammates damage each other. The default isfalse.afk_time- How many seconds a player can be idle before being kicked. The default is 90.intercom_cooldown- The time before the intercom can be used again. The default is 120.enable_whitelist- Set totrueto only allow whitelisted players to join. The default isfalse.
The security and anticheat section of this file is best left at its default values. If you are ever unsure about a setting, leaving it at default is the safest choice.
Step 3: Saving And Starting
- Once you are happy with your changes, click the Save Content button at the top right of the file editor.
- Navigate back to the Console tab and click Start.
- Join your server to check that your changes took effect. Not sure how? Our Join Server guide has you covered.
The other file in this folder, config_remoteadmin.txt, controls who your server admins are. We have a dedicated guide for it, so check out our Become Admin guide for the full walkthrough.
🛠️ Troubleshooting Config Issues
My changes disappeared:The server was probably still running when you saved. Stop the server, make your edit again, then start it.My changes have no effect:Check that you edited the config folder that matches your server's port, and that the setting name is spelled exactly as shown.I can't find the port folder or the config files:Complete the first-time setup described in our Create Server guide, then look inside the config folder.The server won't start after an edit:Undo your last change and try again. It is a good idea to create a backup before big edits, and our automated backups guide shows you how.
With your config dialed in, your server is set up exactly the way you want it. If you run into any trouble finding a setting or getting your changes to stick, no worries! Just open a support ticket and our team will gladly jump in and get it sorted out together.