Mods Guide

Mods Guide

Mods extend Scrap Mechanic with new parts, vehicles, gameplay mechanics, and visual improvements. The game has an active modding community with thousands of mods available on Steam Workshop. This guide covers the Mod Tool, installation, popular mods, compatibility, and 1.0 adaptation status.

Mod Tool Usage

Scrap Mechanic includes a built-in Mod Tool for creating and packaging mods. It's available from the main menu.

Accessing the Mod Tool

1. Launch Scrap Mechanic
2. From the main menu, select "Mod Tool" or "Create Mod"
3. The Mod Tool interface opens with options for creating new mods or editing existing ones

What You Can Mod

• Parts and blocks — Add new building blocks, vehicle parts, and interactive components
• Items and tools — New weapons, tools, and consumables
• Vehicles — Pre-built vehicles and vehicle packs
• Gameplay mechanics — New crafting recipes, resource types, and game rules
• Visuals — Texture packs, shaders, and UI modifications
• Maps and worlds — Custom terrain, structures, and scenarios
• Scripts — Lua scripts for custom behaviors and logic

Mod Tool Basics

• Mod structure — Each mod has a folder with config files, assets (textures, models), and scripts
• JSON configs — Most mod configuration uses JSON files for parts, items, and recipes
• Lua scripting — Custom logic is written in Lua, Scrap Mechanic's scripting language
• Asset import — Import custom 3D models (FBX/OBJ), textures (PNG/TGA), and sounds
• Testing — Test mods in-game before publishing
• Packaging — Package mods for distribution via Steam Workshop or file sharing

Installation Paths

Steam Workshop (Recommended)

1. Open Steam Workshop for Scrap Mechanic
2. Browse or search for mods
3. Click "Subscribe" on the mod page
4. Steam automatically downloads and installs the mod
5. Launch the game; the mod is available in the Mod Manager

Manual Installation

1. Download the mod file (usually .zip or .sm_mod)
2. Navigate to the Scrap Mechanic mods directory:
   • Steam: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Scrap Mechanic\Mods
   • User mods: %appdata%\Axolot Games\Scrap Mechanic\User\Mods
3. Extract or copy the mod folder into the Mods directory
4. Restart the game
5. Enable the mod in the Mod Manager

Mod Manager

• Access from the main menu → Mods / Mod Manager
• Enable/disable individual mods
• View mod details (author, version, description)
• Check for mod conflicts
• Load mod presets (combinations of mods)

Steam Workshop Subscriptions

Steam Workshop is the primary platform for discovering and installing Scrap Mechanic mods.

• Browsing — Filter by category (Parts, Vehicles, Gameplay, Visuals, Maps), popularity, rating, and date
• Subscribing — One-click installation; mods auto-update when authors publish new versions
• Collections — Subscribe to curated collections of mods that work well together
• Rating and commenting — Rate mods and leave feedback for authors
• Reporting — Report broken, outdated, or inappropriate mods

Workshop Tips

• Read descriptions — Check mod requirements, dependencies, and known issues before subscribing
• Check comments — User comments often report bugs, compatibility issues, and 1.0 status
• Look for recent updates — Mods updated after the 1.0 release are more likely to work
• Start small — Subscribe to a few mods at a time; too many mods can cause conflicts or performance issues
• Backup saves — Before using major gameplay mods, back up your world saves

Popular Mod Recommendations

Note: Mod availability and 1.0 compatibility changes frequently. Check Steam Workshop for the latest status.

Compatibility Checks

Not all mods work together. Follow these steps to check and maintain compatibility:

1. Read mod descriptions — Authors often list known conflicts and required dependencies
2. Check load order — Some mods need to load before or after others; adjust in Mod Manager
3. Test one at a time — When adding new mods, enable one at a time and test to identify conflicts
4. Use mod presets — Save working combinations as presets so you can revert if a new mod breaks things
5. Watch for duplicate parts — Two mods adding the same part ID can cause crashes or missing textures
6. Check script conflicts — Mods that modify the same game behavior (e.g., two farming mods) may conflict
7. Update mods — Keep mods updated; authors often fix compatibility issues

Multiplayer Notes

Using mods in multiplayer requires coordination between all players:

• All players need the same mods — Everyone on the server must have the same mods installed and enabled
• Server-side mods — Some mods only need to be installed on the server (gameplay rules, bot behavior)
• Client-side mods — Visual and UI mods only need to be on each player's client
• Mismatch errors — If players have different mod sets, they'll see version mismatch errors and can't join
• Modded servers — Look for servers that advertise their mod list; subscribe to the same mods before joining
• Mod sharing — Server hosts can share mod collections or presets with players to ensure everyone matches

1.0 Adaptation Status

The 1.0 Drilling Thunder update was a major overhaul that broke many existing mods. Here's the current state:

• Early Access mods — Most mods created for Early Access (pre-1.0) do NOT work with 1.0 due to API changes, new systems, and rewritten code
• 1.0-compatible mods — Mod authors are actively updating their mods for 1.0; check the "Last Updated" date on Workshop
• New mods — Many new mods are being created specifically for 1.0, taking advantage of new features like the underground mine and fire physics
• Mod Tool updates — The 1.0 Mod Tool has new features and API access for creating mods that work with the updated game
• Patience — Mod adaptation takes time; if a favorite mod isn't updated yet, check the comments for progress updates or alternative mods

How to Check if a Mod is 1.0-Compatible

1. Check the Workshop page for "1.0" or "Drilling Thunder" in the title or description
2. Look at the "Last Updated" date — mods updated after July 2026 are likely 1.0-compatible
3. Read the comments — other users will report if the mod works with 1.0
4. Check for a changelog — authors often list 1.0 adaptation in update notes
5. Test in a separate save — don't risk your main save; test mods in a new world first

Modding Tips

1. Start with existing mods — Before creating your own, study how existing mods are structured
2. Use the Mod Tool — The built-in tool handles packaging, validation, and uploading
3. Test thoroughly — Test your mod in both Creative and Survival modes
4. Document your mod — Write a clear description with features, requirements, and controls
5. Take screenshots — Good screenshots help users find and appreciate your mod
6. Version your releases — Use version numbers (v1.0, v1.1) to track updates
7. Respond to feedback — Read comments and fix bugs reported by users
8. Respect other modders — Don't steal assets or code; credit modders whose work you use

Related Guides

• Blueprints & Schematics — Share and use community creations alongside mods
• Multiplayer & Servers — Set up modded multiplayer servers
• Console Commands & Dev Mode — Debug and test mods with console commands
• Drilling Thunder 1.0 Update — Understand the 1.0 changes that affect mod compatibility