How To Mod Stardew Valley

Enhance your Stardew Valley experience with modding! This guide details how to add mods to your game, expanding gameplay and adding cosmetic features. Remember, this is for Windows users.

Step 1: Back Up Your Save (Recommended)

Protecting your progress is crucial. If you have an existing save file, back it up before modding. This is easily done by:

1. Pressing Win + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Typing %appdata% and pressing Enter.
3. Navigating to the Stardew Valley folder, then the Saves folder.
4. Copying the contents to a secure location on your computer. New games don't require this step.

Step 2: Install SMAPI

SMAPI is the essential mod loader. Download it from the official SMAPI website. After downloading the ZIP file, extract it to a convenient location (like your desktop). Important: Don't extract it into the Stardew Valley mods folder. Run the SMAPI installer and select "Install on Windows," following the on-screen instructions. SMAPI isn't a mod; it's the tool that enables mods.

Step 3: Game Client Configuration (If Necessary)

If you play Stardew Valley through Steam, GOG Galaxy, or the Xbox app, you might need additional steps to maintain achievement tracking and playtime recording. Refer to the SMAPI website for client-specific instructions.

Step 4: Installing Mods

Now for the fun part! Nexus Mods offers a vast library of Stardew Valley mods.

Download your chosen mods (usually as ZIP files). Extract each ZIP file and move its contents into the Stardew Valley Mods folder. The location of this folder depends on your game client:

• Steam: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Stardew Valley
• GOG Galaxy: C:\Program Files (x86)\GOG Galaxy\Games\Stardew Valley
• Xbox App: C:\XboxGames\Stardew Valley

That's it! With thousands of mods available, your Stardew Valley adventures are about to get much more exciting.

Stardew Valley is available now.