How to install mods for Starbound

Upload contents.pak files into the mods folder, verify asset loading logs, and adjust checkAssetsDigest for modded multiplayer setups.

Updated August 01, 2026

Starbound

The Starbound Workshop is at steamcommunity.com/app/211820/workshop/. Workshop mods are not directly downloadable by URL, so you subscribe locally and transfer the files to the server.

Installing a Mod

Subscribe in Steam and let it download to Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\211820\<ModID>\.

Step 2: Upload to the Server

Copy each mod's contents.pak into your server's mods/ folder via SFTP, giving each a unique name:

mods/
  AvaliRace.pak
  FrackinUniverse.pak
  ImprovedContainers.pak

text

Step 3: Restart

The server detects new mods on boot (Asset source loaded: ...). Failures print the file and reason.

Step 4: Client Compatibility

Mod lists must match exactly

Every player must have the same mods, or they cannot connect.

The cleanest fix is a Steam Workshop collection your players can one-click subscribe to. Create one at steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/managemyworkshop/collections/?p=2&appid=211820. As a looser alternative, set checkAssetsDigest to false in the config (less strict, but mismatched assets can cause subtle issues).

Popular Mods

Frackin' Universe: the big total overhaul. Hundreds of biomes, races, technologies. Significantly increases CPU and RAM use.
Maple32: a content overhaul similar in scope to FU (do not run both; they conflict).
Avali Race: popular custom race.
Improved Containers and Enhanced Storage: container quality-of-life.
More Action Bars: more hotkey slots.