Setting Up Your First DarkRP Server

Getting a DarkRP server running for the first time can be confusing. This guide walks you through the entire process using the Zeros Host panel, from a fresh server to a playable DarkRP setup.

Step 1: Create your server

Once you have a Zeros Host account, create a new GMod server from the dashboard. Pick the region closest to your players and allocate at least 4 GB of RAM. DarkRP is memory-hungry, especially with addons.

Step 2: Install DarkRP

Open your server in the panel and go to the Mod Manager. Search for "DarkRP" and you will see the official FPtje/DarkRP repository. Click install. The panel downloads it from GitHub and extracts it to /garrysmod/gamemodes/darkrp/ automatically.

Next, install DarkRP Modification the same way. This is where you configure jobs, shipments, entities, and other DarkRP-specific settings.

Step 3: Set the gamemode

Go to Startup in the sidebar and set GAMEMODE to darkrp. Make sure MAP is set to a valid map. rp_downtown_v4c_v2 is a common starting point. If you do not have the map, you can add it via the Workshop collection.

Step 4: Configure your Workshop collection

Go to the Workshop page. Enter your Steam Workshop collection ID. The panel fetches all addon IDs from the collection and generates the workshop.lua file for FastDL.

Step 5: Add essential addons

At minimum, most DarkRP servers run:

• ULX + ULib - admin mod for managing players
• Wiremod - if your community uses it
• DarkRP Modification - for job and entity configuration

You can install these from the Mod Manager or add them to your Workshop collection.

Step 6: Run the Backdoor Scanner

Before starting the server, go to the Backdoor Scanner and run a full scan. This parses your addon Lua files and checks them against known malicious patterns: HTTP backdoors, obfuscated loaders, remote code execution hooks. If anything flags, do not start the server until you have reviewed and removed it.

Step 7: Start and test

Start your server and open the console. You should see DarkRP loading. Connect via the game browser or the connect command. Walk around, check that jobs load, and make sure the F4 menu works.

That is it. You have a running DarkRP server. From here you can configure jobs in DarkRP Modification, add custom addons, and set up permissions with ULX.

Need a server to follow this guide? Register at zerosrp.co.uk/register for a 24-hour free trial with no card required. See the DarkRP hosting page for panel features specific to DarkRP servers, or the pricing page for RAM tiers and monthly costs. If you get stuck, the Discord has a support channel.