# How to Install Mods on Your Icarus Server (/docs/icarus/mod-setup)







import { Tab, Tabs } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/tabs';
import { Step, Steps } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/steps';
import { Files, Folder, File } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/files';

Icarus mods are not distributed through Steam Workshop. Instead, they're standard Unreal Engine `.pak` files that you place into a specific server directory. Mods come from the **Icarus modding community** — primarily NexusMods and Project Daedalus.

> **Important:** Most mods need to be installed on **both the server AND every connecting player**. If only the server has the mod, players will see errors or get disconnected. Tell your players to install client-side before they join.

Where to Get Icarus Mods [#where-to-get-icarus-mods]

| Source               | URL                                                           | Notes                                              |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- |
| **NexusMods**        | [nexusmods.com/icarus](https://www.nexusmods.com/icarus)      | Largest collection — UI tweaks, gameplay mods, QoL |
| **Project Daedalus** | [Project Daedalus Discord](https://discord.gg/icarus-modding) | Active community for advanced mods and Lua scripts |

Mods come as `.zip` archives containing one or more `.pak` files (and sometimes `.ucas`/`.utoc` for newer Unreal Engine 5 mods).

Server File Structure [#server-file-structure]

<Files>
  <Folder name="Icarus" defaultOpen>
    <Folder name="Content" defaultOpen>
      <Folder name="Paks" defaultOpen>
        <Folder name="mods" defaultOpen>
          <File name="MyMod.pak" />

          <File name="AnotherMod.pak" />
        </Folder>

        <File name="pakchunk0-WindowsServer.pak" />

        <File name="pakchunk0_s1-WindowsServer.pak" />

        <File name="pakchunk0_s2-WindowsServer.pak" />

        <File name="pakchunk0_s3-WindowsServer.pak" />

        <File name="pakchunk0_s4-WindowsServer.pak" />

        <File name="pakchunk0_s5-WindowsServer.pak" />

        <File name="pakchunk0_s6-WindowsServer.pak" />
      </Folder>
    </Folder>
  </Folder>
</Files>

<img alt="Icarus Paks folder with mods subfolder created" src={__img0} placeholder="blur" />

The base game ships several `pakchunk0_*-WindowsServer.pak` files (1+ GiB each). **Don't touch these** — they're the game itself. Mods go in a separate `mods/` subfolder.

The `mods/` folder does **not** exist by default — you create it on first install. The panel shows a confirmation dialog with the full path:

<img alt="Create mods directory dialog" src={__img1} placeholder="blur" />

Install a Mod on the Server [#install-a-mod-on-the-server]

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Download the mod [#download-the-mod]

    Get the mod from NexusMods or Project Daedalus. You'll typically download a `.zip` archive.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Extract the archive [#extract-the-archive]

    Unzip the file on your local machine. You should see one or more `.pak` files (sometimes paired with `.ucas` and `.utoc` companion files — keep them together).

    > **Don't upload the .zip directly.** The server reads `.pak` files, not zips.
  </Step>

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

    In the [XGamingServer Panel](https://panel.xgamingserver.com), go to **Console** and stop your server.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Open the Paks directory [#open-the-paks-directory]

    Click **Files** in the sidebar and navigate to:

    ```
    Icarus/Content/Paks/
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Create the mods folder (if missing) [#create-the-mods-folder-if-missing]

    If a `mods/` folder doesn't exist inside `Paks/`, click **New Folder** and create one named exactly `mods` (lowercase).
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Upload the mod files [#upload-the-mod-files]

    Open the `mods/` folder and upload the extracted `.pak` files (and any companion `.ucas`/`.utoc` files).
  </Step>

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

    Start from **Console**. Mods load automatically when the server boots.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Install the Mod on the Client (Players) [#install-the-mod-on-the-client-players]

Every player who wants to connect to a modded server needs the same mods installed locally.

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Locate the local Icarus install [#locate-the-local-icarus-install]

    On Windows, your Icarus install is typically at:

    ```
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Icarus\
    ```

    Or wherever you've installed Steam.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Open the Paks directory [#open-the-paks-directory-1]

    Navigate to:

    ```
    Icarus\Content\Paks\
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Create the mods folder [#create-the-mods-folder]

    If the `mods/` folder doesn't exist, create it.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Place the mod files [#place-the-mod-files]

    Drop the same extracted `.pak` files into the local `mods/` folder.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Launch Icarus and join [#launch-icarus-and-join]

    The mod loads automatically when Icarus starts. Connect to the server normally.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Verify Mods Are Loading [#verify-mods-are-loading]

Check the server **Console** output after starting. Loaded mods are listed in the boot logs. Look for messages mentioning each `.pak` file name.

If a mod doesn't load:

* Check that the file is in `Icarus/Content/Paks/mods/` (not just `Paks/`)
* Make sure the file extension is `.pak` and not `.pak.bak` or similar
* Confirm any companion `.ucas`/`.utoc` files were uploaded too
* Restart the server after adding new mods

Remove a Mod [#remove-a-mod]

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Stop the server [#stop-the-server-1]
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Delete the mod files [#delete-the-mod-files]

    In **Files**, navigate to `Icarus/Content/Paks/mods/` and delete the relevant `.pak` (and companion) files.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Start the server [#start-the-server-1]
  </Step>
</Steps>

> **Tell your players** to also remove the mod from their local `Paks/mods/` folder, otherwise they'll get a version mismatch when connecting.

Common Issues [#common-issues]

| Problem                         | Fix                                                                                                                |
| ------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Mod not loading**             | Make sure the file is in `Paks/mods/`, not just `Paks/`. The folder name is case-sensitive on Linux                |
| **Players can't connect**       | Check that all players have the **same mods** with the **same versions** installed locally                         |
| **Server crashes on start**     | A mod is incompatible. Remove the most recently added mod and try again                                            |
| **Mod missing companion files** | Newer UE5 mods need `.pak` + `.ucas` + `.utoc` together. Check the mod's NexusMods page for the complete file list |
| **Workshop search empty**       | Icarus does **not** use Steam Workshop. Get mods from NexusMods or Project Daedalus                                |

Updating Mods [#updating-mods]

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Download the new version [#download-the-new-version]

    Check NexusMods for updated versions. Download the new archive.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Stop the server [#stop-the-server-2]
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Replace the old files [#replace-the-old-files]

    In `Icarus/Content/Paks/mods/`, delete the old `.pak` files and upload the new ones.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Start the server [#start-the-server-2]

    Tell your players to update their local versions too.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Related Guides [#related-guides]

* [Server Configuration](/docs/icarus/server-config)
* [Connect to Your Server](/docs/icarus/join-server)
* [Update Your Server](/docs/icarus/update-guide)