tModLoader Server Guide

Installing tModLoader (Client)

With the release of Terraria 1.4, tModLoader is its own separate game branch that you can use on Steam as free DLC for the base game! This is the easiest method to install and play using tModLoader.

If you don't wish to use Steam to install tModLoader, the creators offer instructions on how to manually install it on their GitHub page here: https://github.com/tModLoader/tModLoader/wiki/tModLoader-guide-for-players

Using tModLoader

If you're using tModLoader for the first time, more options will appear in the main menu than what you usually see in the vanilla game. Use "Mod Browser" to find a list of available mods. There may be a brief delay while a list of mods is generated. Select and install your desired mods.

tModLoader menu showing Mod Browser tModLoader's Mod Browser

When finished installing mods, return to the main menu and select "Mods", and make sure that the mods you wish to use are set to "Enabled". If you do not enable the mods, they will not take effect when you load the game.

tModLoader's Menu showing Mods tModLoader's Mod List

Installing tModLoader (Server)

tModLoader will also need to be installed on the server. This can be done from the our One Click Installer page on the left side of the Nodecraft Panel. Make sure the version on the server and the client match!

Adding Mods to your Server

Now we need to transfer your mods from your Client onto your Server.

In the "Mods" option on your Client where you enabled them, click on the "Open Mods Folder", this will take you to where the mods you've downloaded through the "Mod Browser" are. Generally the default location will be /PC/Documents/My Games/Terraria/ModLoader/Mods.

tModLoader's Open Mods Folder button

Inside will be your mods as well as an enabled.json file. Using a zipping tool, zip up all of the mods and the enabled.json file.

tModLoader's file location of mods on your PC

Now it needs to be uploaded. Head to the "File Manager" page on the left side of your panel, then navigate to /.local/share/Terraria/ModLoader/Mods. Upload your zip file here using the upload button, FTP, or drag and drop. Then you'll select the zip file and click on the "Unzip" button.

Nodecraft File Manager for tModLoader

All that's left is to start your server up!

Joining Modded Terraria

Players trying to connect to a modded Terraria game will need to be using tModLoader on Steam or have it manually installed. A new feature in the latest versions of tModLoader is that when players join your server, they will automatically download the necessary mods onto their client (as long as they have the "Download Mods From Servers" setting set to "On"). No more having to give them a list of mods they need ahead of time!

tModLoader's setting for downloading mods from a server

Manually Installing and Enabling Mods (Optional)

You can also manually install mods onto your PC. This was the older method people used to install mods onto their server, and still might be useful information to know if you ever need to add/remove single or several mods.

Mods can also be found on the Terraria forums. This is a useful website to be aware of if you ever need to know more information about the mods you're using or if you want to manually install onto your server or client. These should be in .tmod format.

After uploading the mods, you'll need to enable them for use on the server. This is accomplished by using an enabled.json file.

Navigate to the following directory in your File Manager: /.local/share/Terraria/ModLoader/Mods

Once in the Mods folder, click the "Create File" button above the File Manager window. If you simply wish to edit an existing file, select enabled.json and click the "Edit" button.

The information in the file needs to be in the format of a JSON file, of the names of the mods that you want to use. The file must begin and end in square brackets. Each mod should have its name in quotes, and if you have more than one line in the file, it must have a comma at the end of each line (except for the last line). When editing a .json format file, the dashboard will alert you if what you have typed does not match the proper syntax. Correct the file until the red alerts disappear.

Below is an example .json file for enabled.json:

[
	"CalamityMod",
	"chadsfurn"
]

These mod names should reflect the name of the .tmod files that you uploaded. Linux is case sensitive, so make sure the file name matches exactly (ie, "tremor" is not the same as "Tremor" in linux).

When you are finished editing the file, you must give it a title in the blue box directly above the file manager window (if creating a new file). In this case, you'll want to use enabled.json, and make sure the name of the file is all in lowercase.