# How To Install Mods on Your Barotrauma Server (/docs/barotrauma/install-mods)



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

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.

<Tabs items={['Via Panel Mod Manager (Recommended)', 'Manual Install']}>
  <Tab value="Via Panel Mod Manager (Recommended)">
    The panel's Mod Manager browses the Steam Workshop and handles installation automatically.

    <Steps>
      <Step>
        Open the Mod Manager [#open-the-mod-manager]

        In the [XGamingServer Panel](https://panel.xgamingserver.com), click **Mods** in the sidebar (puzzle icon — visible on Barotrauma servers under Configuration).
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Browse the Steam Workshop [#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.
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Install a mod [#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.
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Restart the server [#restart-the-server]

        Go to **Console** in the sidebar and restart the server. Mods load on startup.
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    Uninstall a Mod [#uninstall-a-mod]

    1. Switch to the **Installed Mods** tab
    2. Click the red **Uninstall** button on the mod card
    3. Confirm in the dialog
    4. 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.
  </Tab>

  <Tab value="Manual Install">
    Use this method if you need to install a mod that isn't on the Workshop, or if you prefer manual control.

    <Steps>
      <Step>
        Download the mod on your PC [#download-the-mod-on-your-pc]

        Go to the [Steam Workshop for Barotrauma](https://steamcommunity.com/app/602960/workshop/) and subscribe to the mod. Let it fully download via Steam.
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Find the mod files on your PC [#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/`.
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Upload to the server [#upload-to-the-server]

        In the [XGamingServer Panel](https://panel.xgamingserver.com), 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]
        ```
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Enable the mod in config_player.xml [#enable-the-mod-in-config_playerxml]

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

        ```xml
        <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.
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Start the server [#start-the-server]

        Start from **Console** and watch for mod loading errors.
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    Installing Multiple Mods (Manual) [#installing-multiple-mods-manual]

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

    ```xml
    <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>
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

Do Players Need the Mods Too? [#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 [#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                                                                                                  |

Related Guides [#related-guides]

* [Server Configuration](/docs/barotrauma/server-config)
* [Change Submarine](/docs/barotrauma/change-submarine)
* [Troubleshooting](/docs/barotrauma/troubleshooting)