Getting started

What is CFTools Architect?

CFTools Architect is a centralized server management platform designed to manage, deploy, and automate game servers at scale. It replaces traditional single-server control panels by introducing a distributed architecture built around Agents and a central Manager.

At a high level:

Architect Manager is your graphical interface where you configure, monitor, and manage game servers.
Architect Agent runs on your game server machines and performs actions like starting servers, updating files, collecting logs, and reporting metrics.
Architect Toolbox is the Windows installer and system-tray service manager. On Windows you use it to install the Agent and then start, stop, update, or repair the service. See Architect Toolbox.

Architect allows you to:

Manage multiple servers from a single interface
Deploy updates consistently
Automate tasks such as backups and restarts
Monitor performance and logs in real time
Scale from one server to dozens or more

Architect supports multiple game titles and integrates deeply with the broader CFTools ecosystem.

Watch the setup in video format on YouTube: CFTools Architect | First-Steps

Beginner’s Guide

This guide explains the core concepts you need to understand before using Architect.

Core Concepts

Manager

Graphical interface installed on your personal device
Communicates with Agents

Agent

A lightweight service installed on each server machine
Executes commands sent by the Manager
Reports server status, logs, and metrics

Toolbox

Windows installer and tray manager for Architect Agent
Recommended way to install and control the Agent on Windows
Not available on Linux. See Architect Toolbox

Title

A reference to a specific game server (eg. DayZ, ArmA Reforger, Rust, etc.)

Deployment

One game server of a specific title
Configured and controlled through the Manager

Typical Workflow

Install the Architect Manager
Install the Architect Agent on a server machine (on Windows, install Architect Toolbox first, then install the Agent from it)
Connect the Agent to the Manager
Deploy a game server
Start, monitor, and manage the server

Quickstart Tutorial

This tutorial walks you through launching your first server using Architect.

Prerequisites

A server (Windows or Linux, either physical, VPS, or dedicated)
Administrator access
Internet connectivity

Step 1: Install the Manager

Install the Architect Manager on the server directly or your personal device.

Step 2: Install the Agent

Install the Architect Agent on the machine where your game server will run. On Windows, download Architect Toolbox and install the Agent from the Toolbox dashboard.

Step 3: Pair Agent with Manager

Start the Agent service
Copy the Agent token or pairing key
Register the Agent in the Manager UI

Step 4: DEPLOY A GAME SERVER

Choose the game title
Configure basic settings
Deploy the server

You now have a fully managed server running under Architect.