WebXash (Counter-Strike 1.6 and Half-Life)

WebXash runs Counter-Strike 1.6 and Half-Life in a desktop browser tab. For Counter-Strike and the full Half-Life you need your own game files: you point the site at your Half-Life folder (with the valve and cstrike folders) or a ZIP of it. Without your own files you can still start a few Half-Life demos from the site. Phones are not supported. The site was working when we checked on 17 October 2026.

What it is

WebXash is a web front end made by x8BitRain. The GitHub Pages site has existed since February 2023 and was last updated in January 2026. The current version is built on webxash3d-fwgs, a WebAssembly port of the open-source Xash3D FWGS engine, which is compatible with the GoldSrc engine behind Half-Life and Counter-Strike. The README notes that x8BitRain only wrote the front end, not the engine port. When we checked, the engine port’s GitHub repository by yohimik was no longer available (it returned “not found”); we do not know why.

What it offers

• Open game folder: pick your Half-Life root folder. The site reads the files into memory and does not write to your folder. The choice can be remembered if you allow it.
• Open ZIP: load a ZIP of the same folders instead.
• Half-Life Demos: Uplink (about 45 MB), Day One (about 78 MB) and an HLDM package, served by the site itself.
• Launch options: for example -game bshift to start an expansion next to the valve folder.
• Save manager: saves are stored in the browser and sorted by game. It is switched off for Counter-Strike 1.6.
• Multiplayer IP field: connect to a WebSocket game server.

How to play Counter-Strike 1.6

1. Open the site on a desktop computer.
2. Choose Counter-Strike as the game.
3. Click Open game folder and select the folder of your own installation that contains valve and cstrike, or use Open ZIP.
4. Wait for the files to load, then start the game. Fullscreen is recommended.

The game uses its normal Counter-Strike key bindings, which you can change in the in-game options.

Multiplayer

There is no public server list. The README says multiplayer works with dedicated web servers for Half-Life Deathmatch and Counter-Strike that run in Docker; you enter the server’s WebSocket address (port 27016 by default) and find it under Multiplayer, LAN Game. These servers work over the internet and on a local network. For Half-Life Deathmatch with other players online, the FAQ points to a separate version on dos.zone.

Requirements

• Your own copy of Counter-Strike 1.6 (and Half-Life for the full campaign). Both are sold by Valve on Steam.
• A current desktop browser, keyboard and mouse.

We do not link any other source for game files.

Is it safe and legal?

It is an unofficial fan project, not made or endorsed by Valve. The site reads game files locally in your browser and does not upload them. Use files from a copy you own.

Not working?

• Ctrl+W closes the tab: crouch-jumping with Ctrl+W triggers the browser shortcut. Play in fullscreen, where the README says this does not happen.
• A mod does not start: Xash3D does not support every mod; the FWGS project keeps a list of unsupported ones.
• The console does not quit: typing quit or exit should reload the page; otherwise refresh by hand.
• Looking for another Half-Life port? See our Half-Life browser port page.

Unofficial. This page is written by an independent directory. It is not made by, endorsed by or affiliated with Valve or x8BitRain (WebXash (Counter-Strike 1.6 and Half-Life)'s author). We do not host any files, and we never link to game files, ROMs or ISOs.