How To Install Mods on Your Barotrauma Server

Install Steam Workshop mods on your Barotrauma dedicated server using the built-in Mod Manager or manually via LocalMods.

Barotrauma supports Steam Workshop mods that add new submarines, items, creatures, and gameplay mechanics. XGamingServer includes a built-in Mod Manager that lets you browse, install, and remove Workshop mods directly from the panel — no manual downloads needed.

The panel's Mod Manager browses the Steam Workshop and handles installation automatically.

Open the Mod Manager

In the XGamingServer Panel, click Mods in the sidebar (puzzle icon — visible on Barotrauma servers under Configuration).

Browse the Steam Workshop

On the Steam Workshop tab, search for mods by name. Sort by Trend, Total Subscribers, or Most Recent using the dropdown.

Install a mod

Click the Install button on any mod card. The button changes to "Installing..." while processing, then turns green showing Installed when complete.

Restart the server

Go to Console in the sidebar and restart the server. Mods load on startup.

Uninstall a Mod

Switch to the Installed Mods tab
Click the red Uninstall button on the mod card
Confirm in the dialog
Restart the server

The Mod Manager automatically updates config_player.xml and places mod files in LocalMods/ — you don't need to edit any files manually.

Use this method if you need to install a mod that isn't on the Workshop, or if you prefer manual control.

Download the mod on your PC

Go to the Steam Workshop for Barotrauma and subscribe to the mod. Let it fully download via Steam.

Find the mod files on your PC

The downloaded mod is at:

%LocalAppData%\Daedalic Entertainment GmbH\Barotrauma\WorkshopMods\Installed\[WorkshopID]\

The [WorkshopID] is a numeric folder (e.g., 2962604067) matching the number at the end of the mod's Workshop URL.

This includes submarine mods too — custom submarines distributed as Workshop mods must be copied this way, not placed in Submarines/.

Upload to the server

In the XGamingServer Panel, stop the server. Click Files in the sidebar, navigate to (or create) the LocalMods/ folder, and upload the entire mod folder.

Your structure should look like:

LocalMods/
  ModName/
    filelist.xml
    [mod content files]

Enable the mod in config_player.xml

In Files, open config_player.xml in the server root. Find the <regularpackages> section and add your mod:

<contentpackages>
  <corepackage path="Content/ContentPackages/Vanilla.xml" />
  <regularpackages>
    <package path="LocalMods/ModName/filelist.xml" enabled="true" />
  </regularpackages>
</contentpackages>

The path must exactly match the folder name and filelist.xml location.

Load order matters. If Mod B depends on Mod A, list Mod A first.

Start the server

Start from Console and watch for mod loading errors.

Installing Multiple Mods (Manual)

Add one <package> line per mod inside <regularpackages>:

<regularpackages>
  <package path="LocalMods/ModA/filelist.xml" enabled="true" />
  <package path="LocalMods/ModB/filelist.xml" enabled="true" />
  <package path="LocalMods/ModC/filelist.xml" enabled="true" />
</regularpackages>

Do Players Need the Mods Too?

Yes — players need the same mods installed. Barotrauma tells connecting players which mods are required. If AllowFileTransfers is enabled in serversettings.xml, the server can sync some content to clients, but for Workshop mods it's generally faster for players to subscribe themselves.

Troubleshooting

Problem	Fix
Mod not loading	Verify the path in `config_player.xml` exactly matches the folder name in `LocalMods/`. Check that `filelist.xml` exists at the root of the mod folder
"Mods/..." path errors	Older mods reference `Mods/` instead of `LocalMods/`. Open `filelist.xml` inside the mod folder and update the paths
Mod loads but doesn't work	Check the mod's Workshop page for dependencies (e.g., Lua for Barotrauma). Install dependencies first and list them before dependent mods in `config_player.xml`
Players can't connect	All players must have the same mods installed. Mismatched mods or versions prevent connection
`config_player.xml` gets reset	Stop the server before editing — the server may overwrite config files on shutdown
Mod already installed (panel error)	The mod is already in the Installed Mods tab. Check there first

How To Install Mods on Your Barotrauma Server

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