Docs

For version 0.3.1

Install · First start · Commands · Who can do what · DLC and paid skins · Problems

Install

Download the installer from the Download page and check its SHA-256.
Run it. It installs for your Windows user only and needs no admin rights.
Open Ilm's Rust Cinematic Client and accept the terms.

First start

Pick a folder for the server (about 15 GB).
The app downloads SteamCMD, the Rust dedicated server and Oxide, then installs the plugin set.
Start the server. By default it only listens on your own PC (127.0.0.1).
Make yourself the server owner, then join it from Rust.
Turn the whitelist on with /wl on and add the people you film with: /wl add <SteamID64> [name].

The app also makes backups and snapshots of the server and can stop and restart it.

Main commands

Command	What it does
`/cinematic`	The main menu with every tool.
`/ent`, `/entities`	Entity browser: spawn or place anything by category.
`/crate`	Every openable crate.
`/prefabs`, `/pasteprefab <name>`	Prefab spawner.
`/car`	Modular car builder: chassis, modules, engine parts, code lock, presets.
`/kit`	Kits for you and your actors.
`/skin`	Skin the item you hold.
`/base`	Saved bases and Builders Sanctuary bases: spawn, place, remove.
`/copy <name>`, `/paste <name>`	Copy and paste your own buildings.
`/bm`	Build menu (build mode keeps your real inventory safe).
`/env`	Time, weather and sky (admin).
`/record`, `/play`	Record and play back takes.
`/sit`, `/line`, `/crowds`	Actors: sitting bots, rows of bots, crowds.
`/image <link>`	Put a picture from the web on the sign you look at.
`/remover`	Remove things you placed.
`/wl on \| off \| add \| remove`	Whitelist (who can join).

Each tool needs its permission (<plugin>.use, for example cineentities.use). Admins have all of them.

Who can do what

Some things are admin only, whatever permissions a player has, because they affect other players or the whole server:

acting on another real player: clearing, dressing, teleporting, healing, sleep, cuffs, the interact menu;
server-wide settings: time, weather, ocean level, stability, powering every device;
deleting or rebuilding an area: base rebuilds, scenes that claim land, removing someone else's building;
copying or editing another player's base, boat or entities;
spawning any raw prefab path; rockets that do real damage.

At most 150 bots are alive at once. Picture links can't point at your own PC or local network.

DLC and paid skins

Facepunch's server guidelines (facepunch.com/legal/servers, section 3) say servers must not give Facepunch DLC to players who haven't bought it. Section 3(b) has one exception: "Test Servers may temporarily restrict or grant Facepunch DLC access for testing purposes only." Facepunch's Alistair McFarlane replied on X on 16 July 2025: "Cinematic servers would fall under test servers" (thread).

Whitelist on: the server counts as a private cinematic test server. The menus may hand out DLC items and paid skins.
Whitelist off: each player only gets the DLC items and paid skins they own.

Only use the whitelist mode for private cinematic work. If you're unsure whether your use is allowed, ask Facepunch at legal@facepunch.com. You're responsible for how you run your server.

Problems

Windows warns about the installer

It isn't code-signed yet. Check the SHA-256 on the Download page first.

A menu shows the classic look

The in-game pages need the game-side mod, which isn't part of this release. Every tool still works through the classic menu.

Cards show item icons instead of pictures

The rendered pictures aren't part of this release. Icons are shown instead.