Install Rackd

Rackd is a single Windows application. Download Rackd-Setup.exe, run it, and follow the installer. It works on Windows 10 and 11, 64-bit.

The first launch may take a moment while Rackd prepares its data folder. Nothing leaves your PC — every server lives on your own machine.

First run

When you open Rackd for the first time it asks you to create an admin account. This login is local to the app — pick a username of at least 3 characters and a password of at least 6. You can add more accounts later from Settings → Accounts.

Create a server

  1. Open the Servers tab and click New server.
  2. Give it a name and pick the game.
  3. Set the port and max players, or keep the defaults.
  4. Leave Download game files now ticked so Rackd fetches the server files through SteamCMD as soon as you create it.
  5. Click Create server.

Once the files finish downloading, press Start on the rack unit. Open the server to reach its console, RCON, backups and settings.

On the Free edition you can run 2 servers with up to 12 players each. Rackd Pro raises that to 10 servers with unlimited players.

Set up Discord alerts

Rackd can post to a Discord channel whenever a server comes online or crashes. You'll need a webhook URL from Discord first.

1. Create a webhook in Discord

  1. In Discord, hover the channel you want alerts in and click the gear (Edit Channel).
  2. Open Integrations → Webhooks.
  3. Click New Webhook, give it a name like Rackd, and pick the channel.
  4. Click Copy Webhook URL.

2. Add it to Rackd

  1. In Rackd, open Settings → Notifications.
  2. Paste the URL into the Discord webhook URL field.
  3. Click Save.
  4. Click Send test — a message should appear in your Discord channel.
Notifications are a Rackd Pro feature. On the Free edition the fields are visible but saving will prompt you to upgrade.

Set up email alerts

Prefer email? In Settings → Notifications fill in your SMTP host, port (usually 587), username, password, a from address and the address alerts should go to. Click Save, then Send test to confirm. Discord and email can both be on at once.

Rackd Connect

Rackd Connect opens your server's port on your router using UPnP, so players outside your network can join without you logging into the router. Open a server, go to its Connect panel and click Open port. Rackd shows the public address to share. Click Close port to remove the mapping again.

Rackd Connect needs UPnP enabled on your router, and is part of Rackd Pro.

Activate a licence

When you buy Rackd Pro or Ultimate, your licence key is emailed to you. It looks like RACKD-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX.

  1. Open Settings → License.
  2. Paste your key into the field and click Activate.
  3. The edition badge updates and every Pro feature unlocks immediately.

Rackd checks the key once, then stores a signed copy. After that it keeps working offline — your licence never depends on our server staying up. To move to another PC, click Deactivate and activate the same key on the new machine.

FAQ

Is the Free edition time-limited?

No. Free is free for good — 2 servers, 12 players each, no expiry.

Is this a subscription?

No. Pro and Ultimate are one-time purchases with lifetime updates.

Is my key locked to one computer?

No. Deactivate on one PC and activate on another whenever you need to.

What if I change my mind?

Email support@rackd.io within 30 days for a full refund. See the refund policy.

Where are my servers stored?

On your own PC, in Rackd's data directory — shown in Settings → About.