Counter-Strike Forum

CS2 spectator commands: spec_pos, spec_goto, spec_mode, and the observer cvars still in the current build

Quick summary
Spectating in CS2 runs on a set of spec_ commands and cvars. Valve's own command list is a snapshot from October 2 2023, and the build dump linked at the bottom is current as of October 22 2026. The core commands are still there in both. A handful of older entries are gone from the current dump, which is worth knowing before you bind keys to them. This post covers the commands that do work, what each one does, and the cvars behind the freeze cam and the xray glow.

Two lists, two dates
Valve's cvar page opens with a note that it was retrieved from the October 2 2023 build (revision 8384867) and that some commands may be removed or hidden by later updates. The same note explains why the page is incomplete: CS2 does not print the full cvar list with Cvarlist, so the list was assembled from incremental Cvarlist calls, and commands starting with special characters would be missing. The page adds that as of that retrieval no cvars starting with * or a digit existed.

The build dump at s2v.app covers build 11162119, dated October 22 2026. It reports 1,246 console commands and 4,337 convars, with 1,457 flagged cheat and requiring sv_cheats 1. That is the better list for checking whether a name still exists today.

The spectator commands

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  spec_mode

  sets the spectator mode.

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  spec_next

  spectates the next player.

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  spec_prev

  spectates the previous player.

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  spec_goto

  moves the spectator camera to a specific location. The dump gives the form spec_goto x y z pitch yaw.

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  spec_pos

  dumps the position and angles to the console. Both lists carry it with the cheat flag.

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  spec_autodirector

  lets the auto-director choose the best view modes while spectating. Default false.

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  spec_centerchasecam

  looks at the target player's center instead of his eye position in chase cam mode. Default false.

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  spec_chasedistance

  sets the chase cam's ideal distance from the target.

Valve's page also lists with the description "Toggle the visibility of scoreboard players" and a default of false. That entry does not appear in the current build dump, so treat it as removed or renamed rather than assuming it still works.

The freeze cam

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  spec_freeze_time

  , default 2, is the time spent frozen in the observer freeze cam.

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  spec_freeze_time_lock

  , default 1, is the time players are prevented from skipping the freeze cam.

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  spec_freeze_traveltime

  , default 0.3, is the time taken to zoom in to frame a target.

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  spec_freeze_deathanim_time

  , default 0.8, is the time the death cam watches the ragdoll before the freeze death cam.

The xray glow
These four scale the glow that noisy players get on the observer xray:

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  spec_glow_silent_factor

  , default 0.4, scales the glow of a lurking player.

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  spec_glow_full_time

  , default 1, is how long a noisy player stays at full brightness.

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  spec_glow_spike_factor

  , default 1.2, adds a spike to the glow of a player who just made noise. Make it greater than 1 for a sharper spike.

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  spec_glow_decay_time

  , default 2, is the time for the glow to decay from 1.0 down to the silent factor.

What the flag column does not tell you
Both lists have a Flags column. Neither page defines what the flags mean, so do not guess at sv, cl, rep, nf or release. What the pages do tell you is which commands carry the cheat flag, and Valve attaches a short description to many entries, for example that spec_pos dumps position and angles to the console and that spec_autodirector chooses the best view modes while spectating.

Frequently asked questions

• Why does my Cvarlist not show every command? The Valve note says CS2 will not print the full list in one call, and that a plain Cvarlist only reaches partway through the alphabet.
• Are these safe to use in matchmaking? spec_pos carries the cheat flag in both lists, so it needs sv_cheats 1 and will not run on a secure server. The view and camera cvars do not carry that flag.
• Which list should I trust? The current build dump for checking that a name exists, and Valve's page for the wording of each description. They were written three years apart.
• Can I still hide the scoreboard players? Valve's 2023 page lists spec_hide_players for that, but it is absent from the current dump, so check it in game before relying on it.

Sources

• Valve Developer Community: List of Counter-Strike 2 console commands and variables (retrieved October 2 2023, revision 8384867)
• Counter-Strike 2 console commands and convars, build 11162119, October 22 2026