What is RCON?
RCON (Remote Console) is a protocol that lets server administrators run console commands on a game server from a remote machine over TCP. Originally designed by Valve for Source engine games (CS, TF2, GMod), it’s been adopted across Minecraft, Rust, ARK, 7 Days to Die, Factorio and more.
Short answer
RCON is a remote control protocol for game server consoles. You authenticate once with a password, then send arbitrary console commands and receive their output. Default Minecraft RCON port is 25575; Source games use 27015.
How it works
- Client opens a TCP connection to the game server’s RCON port.
- Client sends an authentication packet with the RCON password.
- Server responds with success or failure.
- Client sends command packets. Server runs them on the server console and returns output.
Common use cases
- Scheduled restarts / world saves via cron
- Discord bots that report player counts, ban players, or run commands
- Web admin panels (Pterodactyl uses RCON internally for the console UI)
- Automated map rotations on Counter-Strike servers
- Rust plugin orchestration via Oxide
Frequently asked questions
Is RCON secure?
Plain RCON is not encrypted — the password is sent in plaintext at handshake. Always tunnel RCON through a VPN, SSH tunnel, or a host-provided TLS proxy. Never expose RCON publicly with a weak password.
Do I need RCON if I have console access?
Not strictly — but RCON is useful for automation (scheduled restarts, plugin triggers, Discord bots).
Can Wingman AI use RCON?
Yes. Wingman AI can compose and execute RCON commands from natural language. ‘Kick player Steve for griefing for 30 minutes’ translates to the correct ban-ip or kick command.
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