CS2 console commands: how to enable the console, launch options and autoexec

The CS2 console is off by default, so you have to switch it on in the settings first. Once it’s on, you can show your FPS, set a frame cap, run practice sessions with infinite ammo and bots or load your own config. This guide covers how to enable the console, verified commands grouped by what they’re for, how to set launch options in Steam and how to create an autoexec. It applies to the PC version of CS2 as of 19 October 2026 and only lists commands whose effect is confirmed by Valve or by two independent sources.

How to enable the console in CS2

1. Launch CS2 and open Settings.
2. Go to the Game tab.
3. Set “Enable Developer Console (~)” to Yes.
4. Open the console with the ~ key, top left under Esc.

Type a command into the console line and press Enter. For many commands a value of 1 switches the feature on and 0 switches it off.

Commands for regular play

These work outside practice too and are mostly useful for keeping an eye on performance.

Command	What it does
cl_showfps 1	shows an FPS counter
fps_max 0	removes the in-game frame rate cap
fps_max_ui	frame rate cap in menus
cl_hud_telemetry_serverrecvmargin_graph_show 1	telemetry graph showing network state (replaces the old netgraph)

One catch with fps_max: according to the patch notes, since 14 August 2025 you can’t change it while connected to a server. Set it before you join, or use the menu instead. Under Video → Advanced there’s a Frame Pacing section where “Maximum FPS In Game” controls fps_max and “Maximum FPS In Menus” controls fps_max_ui. For an easier performance overlay, turn on the Telemetry diagnostic HUD in Game Settings, which shows FPS, ping and network state. How to handle the frame cap and the rest of your video settings is covered in our best FPS settings guide.

Practice commands

Commands like noclip or infinite ammo count as cheat commands. They only work in your own or offline game, and only after you enter sv_cheats 1. You can’t use them in matchmaking.

Command	What it does
sv_cheats 1	enables cheat commands in your own game
sv_infinite_ammo 1	infinite ammo
noclip	fly freely around the map
mp_restartgame 1	restarts the game
bot_kick	kicks all bots from the game
bot_place	places a bot where you’re aiming

A typical routine: start an offline game on the map you want to learn, enter sv_cheats 1, turn on infinite ammo and clear the map with bot_kick. Then use bot_place to set up targets on the spots you want to practise. If you mess something up, mp_restartgame 1 takes you back to the start.

Commands for your own and private servers

A few commands change game rules and mostly make sense on a server you host yourself:

• sv_bhop_time_window controls bunny hopping. Since 21 January 2026 (January patch) landings are calculated with sub-tick precision and jumping doesn’t cost stamina.
• sv_legacy_jump restores the old jump behaviour from before that change on private servers.
• ammo_grenade_limit_total has, since 22 September 2026, also limited the total number of grenades a player can buy per round.

Crosshair and scope commands

Since 22 September 2026 the crosshair is mainly set up in the new Crosshair/Scopes tab in Settings. Scoped weapons have their own settings, and the matching console command is cl_crosshair_sniper_width. Thickness, length and gap are now set in pixels; our crosshair settings guide has the details.

Launch options in Steam

Launch options are parameters Steam passes to the game when it starts. Here’s how to set them:

1. Open your Steam library.
2. Right-click Counter-Strike 2 and choose Properties.
3. Type the parameters into the Launch Options field.
4. Separate multiple parameters with a space.

Parameter	What it does
-novid	skips the intro video
+exec autoexec.cfg	loads your autoexec on startup

Plenty of other parameters circulate online with promises of extra FPS. We couldn’t confirm their effect in two independent sources, so we don’t recommend them here.

How to create an autoexec

An autoexec is a text file with a list of commands the game runs in one go. It’s handy if you want the same setup on every PC or want to prepare a practice session with a single command.

1. In Steam, right-click CS2 → Manage → Browse local files.
2. Open the game → csgo → cfg folder.
3. Create a new text file and name it autoexec.cfg. Make sure it doesn’t end in.txt.
4. Add the commands you want to run and save the file.
5. To load it on every launch, add +exec autoexec.cfg to your launch options.

You can run any other config at any time with exec name in the console. That way you can keep a separate practice file next to your autoexec and only load it in offline games.

Can commands get me banned?

Console commands and launch options aren’t cheats as far as VAC is concerned. Valve Anti-Cheat bans for third-party modifications and software, not for game settings, and hardware or drivers won’t trigger a ban. Cheat commands don’t work in official matches anyway. If you play on FACEIT, it runs its own anti-cheat; see our guide to FACEIT and servers. Before you queue ranked, read up on ranks and Premier.

Join our Discord to swap configs and practice tips with other CS2 players: Discord GamersTogether.

FAQ

Information verified on 19 October 2026. Find more guides in our CS2 guides and the latest updates in CS2 news.