# How to Install Mods on Your American Truck Simulator Server (/docs/american-truck-simulator/mod-setup)



import { Step, Steps } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/steps';

ATS dedicated servers handle mods differently from most games — **you don't upload mod files to the server**. Instead, you export a package file from your game client that tells the server about your mod configuration.

How ATS Server Mods Work [#how-ats-server-mods-work]

1. Install and activate mods in your **local ATS game client** (via Steam Workshop or manual)
2. Export a server packages file from the game
3. Upload the exported files to the server
4. Players connecting must have the same mods installed

Step-by-Step Setup [#step-by-step-setup]

<div className="fd-steps">
  <div className="fd-step">
    Set Up Mods on Your Game Client [#1-set-up-mods-on-your-game-client]

    Subscribe to mods via the Steam Workshop, or manually install them. Activate them in the ATS Mod Manager.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Enable the Developer Console [#2-enable-the-developer-console]

    In your ATS `config.cfg`:

    ```
    uset g_developer "1"
    uset g_console "1"
    ```

    See [Developer Console](/docs/american-truck-simulator/developer-console) for details.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Export Server Packages [#3-export-server-packages]

    1. Launch ATS and load into a game (must be on a map)
    2. Press **`~`** to open the console
    3. Type: `export_server_packages`
    4. Two files are generated in your ATS user directory:
       * `server_packages.sii` (text — map, DLC, mod config)
       * `server_packages.dat` (binary — map data)
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Upload to Your Server [#4-upload-to-your-server]

    1. Stop your server
    2. In the [XGamingServer Panel](https://panel.xgamingserver.com), click **Files**
    3. Upload both `server_packages.sii` and `server_packages.dat` to the server root
    4. Start your server
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Enforce Mods (Optional) [#5-enforce-mods-optional]

    In `server_config.sii`, set:

    ```
     mods_optioning: true
    ```

    This prevents players without matching mods from joining.
  </div>
</div>

Important Notes [#important-notes]

* **Re-export every time** you add, remove, or update mods
* The server never downloads or processes mod files — it only uses the package data
* Players must have the same mods installed on their game client
* The export is not account-locked — anyone can generate and transfer the files

DLC Handling [#dlc-handling]

* You don't need to own DLC on the server
* DLC map data is embedded in the server\_packages files
* Players without a specific DLC can still connect — they just can't enter that DLC's map area

Related Guides [#related-guides]

* [Developer Console](/docs/american-truck-simulator/developer-console)
* [Server Configuration](/docs/american-truck-simulator/server-config)