Installing Mods on a Project Zomboid Server

Installing Mods on a Project Zomboid Server

Project Zomboid mods are installed through two settings in servertest.ini. You need both the Workshop ID (numeric) and the Mod name (folder/metadata name) for each mod.

Finding the Workshop ID and Mod Name

1. Open the mod's Steam Workshop page
2. The Workshop ID is the number in the URL: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=**2392709985**
3. The Mod name is found in the mod's mod.info file, listed as id=BetterSorts

Many mod pages list both values in their description.

Adding Mods to servertest.ini

Both entries are required. Stop the server before editing.

# Numeric Workshop IDs — semicolon separated
WorkshopItems=2392709985;1961498919;2200148440

# Mod folder/metadata names — semicolon separated, must match exactly
Mods=BetterSorts;Brita_Weapon_Pack;RaiseTheBar

Critical: Both lists must stay in sync. If a mod has WorkshopItems but not Mods, the mod files download but the mod does not activate (and vice versa).

Map Mods

Map mods require an additional entry in the Map= setting:

Map=Muldraugh, KY;YourCustomMap
WorkshopItems=1234567890
Mods=YourCustomMap

Map entries are order-sensitive. The base map (Muldraugh, KY) must remain in the list.

Load Order

Project Zomboid loads mods in the order they appear in the Mods= line. If mods conflict, try reordering them. Most mods list recommended load order in their Workshop description.

Verifying Mods Loaded

After restarting the server, check the server log at:

~/.local/share/ProjectZomboid/Logs/

Look for lines like:

MOD: Loading mod "BetterSorts"
MOD: Loaded mod "BetterSorts" successfully

If a mod fails to load, the log will show an error with the reason.

Common Mod Problems

Players can't connect after adding mods: Players must have the same mods installed. Send them the Workshop IDs. Vanilla clients cannot join modded servers.

Mod not activating despite correct IDs: The Mods= name is case-sensitive and must match the id= field in the mod's mod.info exactly.

Server crashes on startup after adding mods: One mod may be incompatible. Add mods one at a time and test between each addition to isolate the problem mod.

"Mod X requires Mod Y" error: Some mods have dependencies. Check the Workshop page and add dependency mods to both WorkshopItems and Mods before the dependent mod.