How to Find, Judge and Safely Install CounterStrikeSharp Plugins
A plugin runs with the same rights as the server itself, so installing a careless or malicious one can cost you the whole server. You do not need to be an expert to protect yourself. A few quick checks catch most problems.
Where to look
Most CounterStrikeSharp plugins are published on GitHub, and the cssharp topic is a good place to browse them. Community forums and Discord servers also recommend plugins, but always follow the link back to the source code.
Browse the cssharp topicIs it maintained?
Open the repository and look at the latest release and the last commit. A plugin that has not been touched for a long time may not work with the current game version. Also read the open issues, because they tell you what users really experience.
Does it match your version?
Check which CounterStrikeSharp.API version the plugin targets, and compare it with the one on your server. A big difference is a warning sign. Our version guide explains how to compile for the right one.
Read the code for red flags
You do not need to understand everything. Search the files for web requests, Process.Start, hidden or unexplained commands, and any place where it sends data out of your server. Be careful with plugins that ask for far more permissions than they need.
Compile it yourself
Building from the source means the DLL on your server matches the code you looked at. Download the repository as a zip and upload it to our compiler.
Try it on a test server
Put the plugin on a test server first. Watch the console, try its commands, and see how it behaves with several players. Only after that move it to the live server.
Keep a record
Write down what you installed, from which repository and which version. When a game update breaks something you will know exactly what to update, and what to remove if a plugin turns out to be a problem.
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