# How to Install Mods on Your Stay in Tarkov Server (/docs/stay-in-tarkov/installing-mods)



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

One of the biggest advantages of SPT over live Tarkov is the extensive modding support. Mods can change almost every aspect of the game — from loot tables and trader inventories to AI behavior, new weapons, custom quests, and quality-of-life improvements. SPT mods are installed on both the server and client sides depending on the mod type.

Mod Types [#mod-types]

SPT has two categories of mods, and it's important to understand the difference:

| Type                              | Install Location                       | Description                                                                                                               |
| --------------------------------- | -------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Server mods**                   | `user/mods/` on the server             | Modify server-side behavior: loot, traders, quests, bots, progression, economy. These run on your XGamingServer instance. |
| **Client mods** (BepInEx plugins) | `BepInEx/plugins/` on each player's PC | Modify the game client: UI, visuals, weapon handling, animations. These must be installed by each player individually.    |

Some mods include **both** a server component and a client component. In that case, you install the server part on your XGamingServer instance and distribute the client part to your players.

> 📝 **Note:** Server mods installed on XGamingServer affect all players automatically — no client-side installation needed. Client mods must be installed by each player on their own SPT installation.

Installing Server Mods [#installing-server-mods]

<div className="fd-steps">
  <div className="fd-step">
    Download the mod [#1-download-the-mod]

    Download the mod from the [SPT Mod Hub](https://hub.sp-tarkov.com/files/) or the mod author's release page. Make sure the mod version is compatible with your server's SPT version.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Open the XGamingServer panel [#2-open-the-xgamingserver-panel]

    Log in to the [XGamingServer panel](https://panel.xgamingserver.com) and stop your Stay in Tarkov server.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Navigate to the mods folder [#3-navigate-to-the-mods-folder]

    In the sidebar, go to `Files` and navigate to `user/mods/`.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Upload the mod [#4-upload-the-mod]

    Click **Upload** and upload the mod's folder or archive. If you uploaded a `.zip` file, right-click it and select **Unarchive** to extract it.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Verify the folder structure [#5-verify-the-folder-structure]

    Each mod should be its own folder inside `user/mods/` with a `package.json` file at the root of the mod folder:

    ```
    user/mods/
    ├── mod-name/
    │   ├── package.json
    │   ├── src/
    │   │   └── mod.js (or mod.ts)
    │   └── ...
    ```
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Restart your server [#6-restart-your-server]

    Start your server. Check `Console` for any mod loading messages or errors.

    > 💡 **Tip:** The server console will show each mod being loaded at startup. Look for messages like `Loading mod: ModName v1.0.0`. If a mod fails to load, the error message will usually tell you why — often a version mismatch or missing dependency.
  </div>
</div>

Popular Server Mods [#popular-server-mods]

Here are some of the most popular SPT server mods:

| Mod                                                                               | Description                                                                                           |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **SPT Realism**                                                                   | Overhauls ballistics, health, weight, and loot for a more realistic experience                        |
| **Algorithmic Level Progression**                                                 | Changes how XP and leveling work for better progression pacing                                        |
| **Amands' Graphics**                                                              | Server-side graphics and weather improvements                                                         |
| **Lua's Spawn Rework**                                                            | Completely reworks AI spawning for better raid flow and difficulty                                    |
| **Acid's Progressive Bot System**                                                 | AI bots gear scales with your level and raid progression                                              |
| **Virtual's Custom Quests**                                                       | Adds new quests and quest chains                                                                      |
| [**SVM (Server Value Modifier)**](/docs/escape-from-tarkov/server-value-modifier) | Customize trader restock times, hideout construction speed, loot, and more — no JSON editing required |

Installing Client Mods [#installing-client-mods]

Client mods are installed on each player's local SPT installation, not on the server. However, as a server admin, you should coordinate which client mods your group uses to avoid compatibility issues.

<div className="fd-steps">
  <div className="fd-step">
    Download the client mod [#1-download-the-client-mod]

    Download the mod from the [SPT Mod Hub](https://hub.sp-tarkov.com/files/).
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Install in BepInEx [#2-install-in-bepinex]

    Extract the mod's `.dll` file into the player's local SPT folder:

    ```
    SPT/BepInEx/plugins/ModName.dll
    ```
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Restart the game [#3-restart-the-game]

    The player restarts their game via the SPT launcher.

    > 📝 **Note:** Client mods that change gameplay mechanics (weapon stats, item properties, etc.) often require a matching server mod to work correctly. Read the mod description carefully to determine if both parts are needed.
  </div>
</div>

Managing Installed Mods [#managing-installed-mods]

Viewing installed mods [#viewing-installed-mods]

Navigate to `Files` → `user/mods/` to see all installed server mods. Each folder represents one mod.

Disabling a mod [#disabling-a-mod]

To temporarily disable a mod without deleting it:

<div className="fd-steps">
  <div className="fd-step">
    Stop your server [#1-stop-your-server]

    Stop the server from the panel.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Open the mod's package.json [#2-open-the-mods-packagejson]

    Navigate to `user/mods/ModName/` and open `package.json`.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Disable the mod [#3-disable-the-mod]

    Change the `"main"` field or rename the mod folder by adding a prefix like `disabled-`:

    ```
    user/mods/disabled-mod-name/
    ```
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Restart the server [#4-restart-the-server]

    The server will skip any folder that doesn't contain a valid `package.json` with the expected structure.
  </div>
</div>

Removing a mod [#removing-a-mod]

<div className="fd-steps">
  <div className="fd-step">
    Stop your server [#1-stop-your-server-1]

    Stop the server.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Delete the mod folder [#2-delete-the-mod-folder]

    Navigate to `user/mods/` and delete the mod's folder.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Restart the server [#3-restart-the-server]

    Start the server.

    > ⚠️ **Warning:** Some mods modify game data in ways that persist even after the mod is removed (e.g., adding items to player inventories that don't exist without the mod). If your server has issues after removing a mod, check the console for errors and consider restoring from a [backup](/docs/stay-in-tarkov/manage-profiles).
  </div>
</div>

Mod Load Order [#mod-load-order]

SPT loads mods from `user/mods/` in alphabetical order by folder name. If you have mods that depend on each other, their `package.json` files should declare dependencies, and SPT will resolve the load order automatically.

If you're experiencing load order issues:

1. Check each mod's `package.json` for a `"dependencies"` or `"loadBefore"` / `"loadAfter"` field
2. Rename mod folders to force alphabetical ordering if needed (e.g., prefix with `01-`, `02-`)
3. Check `Console` for dependency-related error messages

Mod Compatibility [#mod-compatibility]

Version compatibility [#version-compatibility]

SPT mods are version-specific. A mod built for SPT 3.8.x will likely not work on SPT 3.9.x. Always check the mod's description for compatible SPT versions.

Mod conflicts [#mod-conflicts]

Some mods modify the same game systems and will conflict with each other. Common conflict areas:

* **Loot mods** — Multiple mods changing loot tables can produce unexpected results
* **Bot/AI mods** — Running two AI overhaul mods simultaneously usually causes crashes
* **Trader mods** — Mods that modify the same traders may overwrite each other's changes

If your server crashes or behaves unexpectedly after installing new mods:

1. Check `Console` for error messages
2. Disable recently added mods one at a time to identify the conflict
3. Check the mod's page on the SPT Hub for known compatibility issues

> 💡 **Tip:** Start with a small number of mods and add more gradually. Test your server after each new mod to catch issues early. It's much easier to troubleshoot one new mod than five installed at once.

If you get stuck at any time, you can join our [Discord](https://discord.xgamingserver.com/).