Who may use console commands decides who can type Lua commands (the ones that start with /c or /sc) in the game. The choices are Admins only, Everyone and Nobody. A new server starts on Admins only. A change applies at once, while the server runs. In the game’s settings file it is allow_commands, with the values admins-only, true (everyone) and false (nobody).
It does not control the admin commands such as /kick, /ban, /promote, /demote, /unban and /config. Those need only the player to be an admin.
Read this first: achievements
The first Lua command on a world ends Steam achievements on that world for good. The game says so itself: it refuses the first command once with “Using Lua console commands will disable achievements. Please repeat the command to proceed.” The repeat runs, and the world can never earn achievements again. Turning the setting back does not undo it. A world that runs mods other than Wube’s own gives no achievements anyway.
Change it
- Open Config Editor on your server.
- Choose the source Server settings.
- Find the group Playing.
- Choose a value in Who may use console commands (1).
- Choose Save in the bar “Unsaved changes: (n)”.
- Who may use console commands
On a running server the panel says which settings took effect at once. This one is among them.
What each choice means
- Admins only. Only admins can type Lua commands. Admins are the players on the admin list. The Players page has Make admin on each player’s menu.
- Everyone. Any player can type Lua commands. Use it only with people you trust: a command can change the world, and the first one ends achievements for everybody.
- Nobody. Players cannot type Lua commands. Not checked on 2.1.24 as of 13 November 2026: whether Nobody also stops the panel’s own scripts (next section).
The panel’s own tools
The panel can read the running game for its Map and Players pages. It does this with scripts, so it is opt-in for each world, with a warning that achievements end. That is separate from this setting: see live game details.
If it does not work
- A command is refused once. That is the achievements warning. Repeat the command to run it, knowing the cost above.
- An admin cannot run a Lua command. Check the setting is not on Nobody, and that the player is on the admin list. An admin command such as
/kickdoes not depend on this setting. - A player says Lua commands do nothing. On Admins only they must be an admin.
More about the game: Factorio servers.
Sources: wiki.factorio.com: Console