# Install and manage tModLoader mods

> Browse Steam Workshop, import mod packs and manage mod files.

## Use tModLoader

Vanilla Terraria cannot load tModLoader mods. Install tModLoader in **Server → Installation** first. The dashboard shows tModLoader's release number separately from Vanilla releases. Everyone joining must use compatible versions.

## Browse the marketplace

Open **Server → Mods** to search the tModLoader Steam Workshop. Open an item's details to check its supported version and required dependencies. **Add to import** adds its Workshop item ID. Include dependencies before installing. The catalog is supplied by Steam and may be temporarily unavailable.

## Import a complete pack

In your local tModLoader client, enable the mods you want, then use **Workshop → Mod Packs → Save Enabled as New Mod Pack** and open the mod pack folder. Paste the contents of `install.txt` into **Workshop IDs / install.txt** and the `Mods/enabled.json` array into **enabled.json**. The array contains internal mod names, not display titles. Click **Install mod selection**, wait for completion, then start the server.

Installing mods stops the server and preserves world files. Steam downloads must actually contain `.tmod` files to count as successful. An empty enabled.json input enables the downloaded files automatically. To disable a mod, remove its internal name from `/Mods/enabled.json` using Files while the server is stopped. Removing mods can permanently remove world content; take a backup first.

## Manual files and troubleshooting

If Steam cannot download an item, upload exported `.tmod` files to `Mods` with Files or SFTP, and upload your matching `enabled.json`. Use `ModConfigs` for mod settings. Check Console for missing dependencies, unsupported versions or load failures. Mods are third-party code and their compatibility varies.

Official references: [tModLoader dedicated-server guide](https://github.com/tModLoader/tModLoader/wiki/Starting-a-modded-server) and [Steam Workshop](https://steamcommunity.com/app/1281930/workshop/).