Installing Workshop Mods on Your Project Zomboid Server

Project Zomboid has excellent Steam Workshop support for dedicated servers. This guide shows you how to add mods to enhance your survival experience.

Prerequisites

• An active Project Zomboid server from SpillHosting
• Access to the control panel and SFTP
• Steam Workshop mod IDs you want to install

Understanding PZ Server Mods

Project Zomboid uses two identifiers for Workshop mods:

• Workshop ID — The numeric ID from the Steam Workshop URL
• Mod ID — The internal mod identifier (found in the mod's mod.info file)

Both are needed for server-side installation.

Step 1: Find Mod IDs

From Steam Workshop

1. Go to the Project Zomboid Steam Workshop
2. Find a mod you want
3. The Workshop ID is in the URL: steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=WORKSHOP_ID

Finding the Mod ID

The Mod ID is usually listed on the mod's Workshop page in its description. If not:

1. Subscribe to the mod on Steam
2. Check the mod folder in your local PZ installation
3. Open the mod.info file to find the id= field

Step 2: Add Mods to Server Configuration

1. Stop your server
2. Connect via SFTP or use the File Manager
3. Navigate to /Server/
4. Open your [servername].ini file
5. Find the following lines and add your mod details:

Workshop Items (Workshop IDs)

WorkshopItems=WORKSHOP_ID_1;WORKSHOP_ID_2;WORKSHOP_ID_3

Mods (Mod IDs)

Mods=MOD_ID_1;MOD_ID_2;MOD_ID_3

Important: Separate multiple entries with semicolons (;), not commas.

Step 3: Start and Verify

1. Save the configuration file
2. Start your server
3. The server will automatically download the mods from Steam Workshop
4. Check the console for download progress and any errors
5. Once loaded, the mods are active

Note: The first start after adding mods takes longer as the server downloads mod files.

Step 4: Client Setup

Players connecting need to:

1. Subscribe to the same mods on Steam Workshop
2. The game will auto-download required mods when connecting
3. If a player is missing mods, they'll see an error listing which ones are needed

Example Configuration

Here's an example with popular mods:

WorkshopItems=2313387159;2392709985;2169435993
Mods=Arsenal(26)GunFighter;tsarslib;raven_creek

Managing Mod Load Order

Mod load order matters for compatibility:

• List dependencies before the mods that need them
• Map mods should generally be loaded first
• UI mods typically go last

Updating Mods

Mods update automatically when the server restarts:

1. Stop your server
2. Start it again — updated versions will be downloaded
3. Check the console for any update-related issues

Removing Mods

1. Stop your server
2. Remove the Workshop ID from WorkshopItems=
3. Remove the Mod ID from Mods=
4. Save the config
5. Start the server

Warning: Removing mods that add items or map areas can cause issues with existing saves. Always back up your world first.

Popular Mods

Troubleshooting

Mods Not Downloading

• Verify the Workshop ID is correct
• Check that your server has internet access
• Ensure there's enough disk space for mod files

Server Crashes After Adding Mods

• Remove recently added mods one at a time to find the conflict
• Check console logs for specific error messages
• Ensure mod dependencies are installed

Players Can't Connect

• Verify players have all required mods subscribed
• Check that Workshop IDs and Mod IDs are both correctly listed
• Ensure no version mismatches between server and client mods

Need help with mods? Our support team is available 24/7 to help you set up the perfect zombie survival experience.