Quick start: from install to your first round

From installing the launcher to your first round, the whole thing takes about five minutes. This guide covers every step, plus a few in-game commands you will use.

What you need

• Windows. The launcher doesn't run on Linux or Mac.
• Steam and Counter-Strike 2 installed. The launcher doesn't start the game itself; it only opens Steam's own connect link, so Steam has to be on the machine.
• An account on the site. If you don't have one yet it takes two minutes (step 1).

1. Make an account

Sign in from the sign-in page with Steam. Your Steam password never reaches us; only Steam itself confirms that it's you.

2. Get the launcher and install it

Download the installer from the launcher page and run it. The anti-cheat is inside the launcher itself and isn't installed separately.

The first time you run it, Windows says "unknown file". Don't worry: because of sanctions, Microsoft can't issue us a signing certificate. Click More info and then Run anyway. Both steps are shown with pictures on the launcher page.

3. Sign in to the launcher

1. Press "Sign in with a site account".
2. Your browser opens and shows a code. If it matches the code written in the launcher, press "Confirm".

That's it. You don't type a password and the launcher never sees yours.

4. Pick a server

Each server in the list shows its status and ping. The launcher measures ping from your own machine, so the number is your real line: green is under 60, yellow up to 120 and red over 120 ms.

• Public: classic, 16 players, every map. A good start.
• AWP: snipers only.
• Fun: hide and seek, zombies and other modes.
• Mix: 5v5 with your own team and a separate rank. Read the mix guide first.

Don't want to think? "Play now" picks the busiest non-mix server that still has room (if two are equal, the one with the lower ping).

5. Connect

Press "Connect". The launcher opens Steam and Counter-Strike 2 and connects you. Steam must be installed and signed in; if it's closed, open it once and let it fully start, then press "Connect" again.

Server full?

Press "Join queue". The launcher checks the server every few seconds and, as soon as a slot opens, connects you itself and plays a sound or notification. You stay in the queue for at most 30 minutes and you can only have one queue at a time. Premium players have a reserved slot.

The launcher has to stay open

To join the servers the launcher must be open. If you connect without it, you are quietly removed from the server and shown the download link; if you close it mid-game, you are removed about a minute and a half later. That doesn't count as a normal kick and isn't recorded anywhere.

Pressing ✕ at the top of the window only sends the launcher to the Windows tray (next to the clock), and the anti-cheat and your queue keep running. To really close it, right-click its tray icon and press "Exit".

What does the anti-cheat do?

It only asks Windows whether a cheat or an injection program is open. It doesn't touch cs2.exe or the game's memory, doesn't change game files, and has nothing to do with VAC or your Steam account. Only "clean" or "problem" and a reason code are sent; never a list of programs, files or a screenshot. If it ever stops you, see the guide to the reasons and their fixes.

In-game commands

Type these in the game chat:

• !rank your rank, XP and position. With a name too: !rank name
• !top the best players on that server
• !missions today's missions and this week's challenges
• !lineup this map's lineups on the site
• !report report a suspicious player to the admins (or !report name)
• !vip your premium status and settings; !g the premium weapon menu

Your rank and XP are the same on all public, AWP and fun servers and never reset. The inventory (skins, knives, gloves, agents) is free too; see the inventory guide.

Stuck?

The launcher has a network troubleshooter (Settings, then Network and connection) that checks your internet, DNS, the site, the servers and Steam, and gives a fix for each problem. If that doesn't solve it, open a ticket with support; here we explain what to write to get an answer sooner.