How to Add Mods to Your tModLoader Server

Prerequisites

Your server must be running tModLoader, not vanilla Terraria. Check the Startup tab in your panel to confirm.

How Mods Work on tModLoader

tModLoader mods are installed from the Steam Workshop or the in-game Mod Browser. On a dedicated server, mods are managed through the server files.

Method 1: Workshop Mods via Startup Variables

1. Find the mod you want on the tModLoader Steam Workshop
2. Copy the Workshop ID from the URL
3. In your game panel, go to the Startup tab
4. Add the Workshop ID to the mods variable (check your egg for the exact field name)
5. Restart the server — mods will download automatically

Method 2: Manual Upload

1. Download the mod .tmod file from the Workshop or Mod Browser on your local machine
2. In your game panel, go to the Files tab
3. Navigate to the mods folder (typically .local/share/Terraria/ModLoader/Mods/ or similar — check your server file structure)
4. Upload the .tmod files
5. Create or edit enabled.json in the same folder to list enabled mods
6. Restart the server

Client-Side Requirements

All players must have the same mods installed on their client. Players using vanilla Terraria or a different mod set cannot connect.

Troubleshooting

• Server won't start after adding mods — Remove the most recently added mod and try again. Check the console for specific error messages
• Mod compatibility — Not all mods work together. Check the mod descriptions for known incompatibilities
• tModLoader version — Mods are version-specific. A mod built for tModLoader 1.4.3 will not work on 1.4.4. Make sure your mods match your tModLoader branch
• Out of memory — Large mod packs increase RAM usage significantly. Monitor your resources in the panel