# How to Configure DST Mods with modoverrides.lua (/docs/dont-starve-together/mod-configuration)



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

Don't Starve Together uses a **two-file** mod system that confuses everyone:

* `mods/dedicated_server_mods_setup.lua` — tells the server which mods to **download**
* `Cluster_1/Master/modoverrides.lua` — tells each **shard** which mods to **enable** and how to configure them

This page covers the second half — `modoverrides.lua`. If you haven't downloaded the mods yet, start with [Install Mods](/docs/dont-starve-together/install-mods).

File Locations [#file-locations]

Each shard has its own `modoverrides.lua`:

```
DoNotStarveTogether/Cluster_1/Master/modoverrides.lua
DoNotStarveTogether/Cluster_1/Caves/modoverrides.lua
```

If a file doesn't exist, create it. **Both shards need their own copy** if you want the mod active in caves too — placing it only in `Master/` means caves run vanilla.

File Format [#file-format]

```lua
return {
  ["workshop-2902364746"] = {
    enabled = true,
  },
  ["workshop-378160973"] = {
    enabled = true,
    configuration_options = {
      LANG = "english",
      ICON_SCALE = 1.5,
      SHOW_CRAFTING = true,
    },
  },
}
```

| Part                              | Required | Description                                       |
| --------------------------------- | -------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
| `["workshop-XXXXX"]`              | Yes      | The Steam Workshop ID prefixed with `workshop-`   |
| `enabled = true`                  | Yes      | Without this the mod is downloaded but not loaded |
| `configuration_options = { ... }` | No       | Per-mod options — only some mods have these       |

Find a Mod's Configuration Options [#find-a-mods-configuration-options]

Mod options come from each mod's `modinfo.lua` file. To find them:

<Steps>
  <Step>
    After the server downloads a mod, navigate to:

    ```
    mods/workshop-<MOD_ID>/modinfo.lua
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Look for a `configuration_options` table near the bottom. Each entry has a `name` and a `default` value:

    ```lua
    configuration_options = {
      {
        name = "LANG",
        label = "Language",
        options = {
          { description = "English", data = "english" },
          { description = "中文", data = "chinese" },
        },
        default = "english",
      },
    }
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Use the `name` and one of the valid `data` values in your `modoverrides.lua`:

    ```lua
    configuration_options = {
      LANG = "english",
    }
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

If a mod doesn't have a `configuration_options` block in `modinfo.lua`, it has no settings — just `enabled = true` is enough.

Add a Mod to Both Shards [#add-a-mod-to-both-shards]

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Stop the server [#stop-the-server]
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Edit Master/modoverrides.lua [#edit-mastermodoverrideslua]

    Open `DoNotStarveTogether/Cluster_1/Master/modoverrides.lua` (create it if missing). Add your mod entry:

    ```lua
    return {
      ["workshop-2902364746"] = { enabled = true },
    }
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Copy the same file to Caves [#copy-the-same-file-to-caves]

    Open or create `DoNotStarveTogether/Cluster_1/Caves/modoverrides.lua` with **identical** contents:

    ```lua
    return {
      ["workshop-2902364746"] = { enabled = true },
    }
    ```
  </Step>

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

    Mods load on boot. Watch the console for `[workshop-XXXXX] Mod loaded` lines.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Disable a Mod Without Removing It [#disable-a-mod-without-removing-it]

Set `enabled = false` instead of removing the entry. This keeps the mod downloaded so re-enabling later doesn't trigger another download:

```lua
return {
  ["workshop-2902364746"] = { enabled = false },
}
```

Example: Common Mod Pack [#example-common-mod-pack]

```lua
return {
  -- Global Positions: shows all players on the map
  ["workshop-378160973"] = {
    enabled = true,
    configuration_options = {
      SHOWFIREICONS = true,
      SHAREMINIMAPPROGRESS = true,
    },
  },

  -- Combined Status: shows hunger/sanity/HP numbers
  ["workshop-376333686"] = {
    enabled = true,
  },

  -- Geometric Placement: snap-to-grid building
  ["workshop-351325790"] = {
    enabled = true,
  },

  -- Storage Sort: tooltip search in chests
  ["workshop-2487113060"] = {
    enabled = true,
  },
}
```

Drop this into both `Master/modoverrides.lua` and `Caves/modoverrides.lua`, restart, and you have a quality-of-life-modded server.

Common Issues [#common-issues]

| Problem                                   | Cause                                                                           | Fix                                                        |
| ----------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
| Mod downloaded but not active             | Missing `enabled = true`                                                        | Add it                                                     |
| Mod active on surface but not caves       | Only in `Master/modoverrides.lua`                                               | Copy file to `Caves/modoverrides.lua`                      |
| Server crashes on boot after adding a mod | Lua syntax error or incompatible mod                                            | Remove the offending entry, restart, fix syntax            |
| Players see "missing mods" error          | Server has the mod, players don't                                               | DST auto-prompts players to download. They must click yes. |
| `configuration_options` ignored           | Wrong key name (must match `name` field in modinfo.lua exactly, case-sensitive) | Read the mod's `modinfo.lua`                               |

Related Guides [#related-guides]

* [Install Mods (download)](/docs/dont-starve-together/install-mods)
* [Caves Shard Setup](/docs/dont-starve-together/caves-shard-setup)
* [Configure Your Server](/docs/dont-starve-together/configure-your-server)