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Install Mods - Vintage Story Wiki

Vintage Story Guide • Updated Jan 6, 2026

Install Mods

Mods can greatly enhance your Vintage Story experience by adding new content, mechanics, and features. Since version 1.16, Vintage Story includes automatic mod distribution, making it easier than ever to run a modded server.

Understanding Vintage Story Mods

Vintage Story mods come as .zip files and can add:

  • New blocks and items
  • Additional gameplay mechanics
  • Quality of life improvements
  • New creatures and NPCs
  • Visual enhancements
  • Server management tools

Finding Mods

The official Vintage Story Mod Database is your primary source:

  1. Visit mods.vintagestory.at

  2. Browse categories or search for specific mods

  3. Check mod compatibility with your server version

  4. Read descriptions and requirements carefully

  5. Download the .zip file

Installing Mods on Your Server

Step-by-Step Installation

  1. Locate your server's Mods folder:

  • Path: /VintageStoryData/Mods or /data/Mods
  • Create the folder if it doesn't exist
  1. Upload the mod .zip file to the Mods folder

  • Important: Do NOT extract the .zip file
  • Vintage Story reads mods directly from zip archives
  1. Enable mod support in serverconfig.json:

{
  "ModPaths": ["Mods"],
  "AllowModdedClients": true
}
  1. Restart your server

  2. Check the server log to verify the mod loaded successfully

Automatic Mod Distribution

Since Vintage Story 1.16, mods are automatically distributed to connecting players:

How It Works

  1. Player clicks your server name to join

  2. Game prompts to download server's modlist

  3. Mods download automatically

  4. Game restarts with correct mods loaded

  5. Player connects successfully

Benefits

  • No manual mod installation for players
  • Ensures all players have identical mods
  • Simplifies mod updates
  • Reduces support requests

Best Practices for Mod Management

Adding Mods Safely

1. Test One Mod at a Time

  • Add a single mod
  • Start the server
  • Test connection and gameplay
  • Only then add the next mod

2. Backup Before Adding Mods

  • Create full backup of server data
  • Include world saves and configurations
  • Document which mods you're adding

3. Check Compatibility

  • Verify mod supports your game version
  • Read about known conflicts
  • Check mod dependencies
  • Review recent mod updates

Managing Multiple Mods

Mod Load Order

Vintage Story loads mods alphabetically by filename. If load order matters:

  1. Rename mod files with numerical prefixes:

01-core-mod.zip
02-dependent-mod.zip
03-visual-mod.zip

Mod Dependencies

Some mods require other mods to function:

  • Check mod description for dependencies
  • Install all required mods
  • Ensure dependencies load before dependent mods

Troubleshooting Mod Issues

Server Won't Start After Adding Mod

  1. Check server log for error messages

  2. Verify mod is compatible with your version

  3. Remove the last mod added

  4. Test if server starts without it

  5. Look for mod updates or alternatives

Players Can't Connect

If players have connection issues with modded server:

  • Ensure AllowModdedClients is true
  • Verify automatic mod distribution is working
  • Check if any mods are client-side only
  • Test connection yourself first

Mod Conflicts

If experiencing crashes or bugs:

  1. Disable half of your mods

  2. Test if issue persists

  3. Narrow down problematic mod through binary search

  4. Check mod forums for known conflicts

Popular Vintage Story Server Mods

Quality of Life

  • Carry Capacity - Increased inventory space
  • Better Crates - Improved storage solutions
  • Compass - Navigation assistance

Gameplay Enhancement

  • Primitive Survival - Expanded early game
  • Medieval Expansion - Additional content
  • Animal Cages - Improved animal management

Server Management

  • Server Tools - Admin utilities
  • Waypoints - Player markers and teleports
  • Claims - Enhanced land protection

Updating Mods

When to Update

  • New game version released
  • Mod bug fixes available
  • New features added to mod
  • Security updates

Update Process

  1. Announce update to players

  2. Create server backup

  3. Download new mod version

  4. Stop the server

  5. Replace old mod zip with new version

  6. Start server and verify

  7. Players will auto-download on next connection

Removing Mods

To safely remove a mod:

  1. Create full server backup

  2. Stop the server

  3. Delete mod .zip from Mods folder

  4. Start server

  5. Note: Mod items/blocks will be removed from world

Creating a Mod Pack

For easier distribution:

  1. Document all installed mods and versions

  2. Create a mods folder with all .zip files

  3. Share with players or other server admins

  4. Include installation instructions

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