Project Zomboid: install a mod without the Workshop
Project ZomboidGuideTwo steps, and people usually miss the second: upload the mod's folder into /Zomboid/mods/, then add its mod ID to the Mods= line in…
Two steps, and people usually miss the second: upload the mod's folder into /Zomboid/mods/, then add its mod ID to the Mods= line in /Zomboid/Server/servertest.ini and restart. Your uploaded folders are safe: they survive restarts, server moves, and restores, and the Workshop mods panel never touches them.
When to use this
The Mods panel installs Steam Workshop mods with auto-updates and is the path to prefer: Project Zomboid: mods auto-download. Hand-placing is for a mod that is not on the Workshop (a private mod, your own work, an old download).
Step 1: upload the folder
A PZ mod is a folder containing mod.info (and usually media/). Upload that folder into /Zomboid/mods/ with the Files card or SFTP, keeping its name exactly as it came.
Step 2: put it on the Mods= line
Project Zomboid only loads mods listed in your server config, so uploading alone changes nothing.
Find the mod ID
Open the uploaded folder's mod.info in the Files card. The id= line is the mod ID (it is often not the same as the folder name).
Add it to servertest.ini
Open /Zomboid/Server/servertest.ini (the Files card has a quick-access chip for it) and add the ID to the Mods= line, separated by semicolons from anything already there. Our Workshop panel manages its own entries on that line and leaves yours alone. Load order matters for some mods: Load order and custom maps.
Restart
Restart the server. Check the players see the mod on the connect screen; if the server refuses to start, remove your ID from Mods= again, that is your undo button.
Things worth knowing
Your players need the same mod. Without the Workshop, PZ cannot auto-download it to players; give them the mod folder to install locally, or expect "missing mod" errors on join.
Map mods also need the map added to the map list; the load order article covers it.
Need help?
Ask on Discord or email support@haptic.gg with the mod's folder name and your Mods= line.
