Step 1: Install BepInEx on the Server

Our Valheim egg has a Startup variable for the install type:

• vanilla: pure Valheim
• bepinex: BepInEx auto-installed
• bepinex-vanilla: BepInEx installed but only server-safe mods are loaded

Set Server Type (or SERVER_TYPE) to bepinex and restart. The egg pulls the latest BepInEx Pack for Valheim. After boot you should have a BepInEx/ folder in the server root with plugins/, config/, and core/ subfolders.

Step 2: Understand Server vs Client Mods

• Server-side only: Affect game rules without players installing anything. Example: instant respawns.
• Client and server: Both sides must have the mod. Examples: Build Camera, equipment slots.

Each Thunderstore page notes which kind a mod is. Server-side mods are the easiest to run because you do not have to coordinate player installs.

Step 3: Install a Mod

1. Download the mod's .zip from Thunderstore.
2. Extract locally. You typically see a BepInExPack folder or a single .dll.
3. Upload the .dll files to BepInEx/plugins/. If the mod ships a folder structure with plugins/ and config/, preserve it.
4. Restart the server.
5. Check the console for the load line, e.g. Loaded plugin: ....

For client and server mods, send players the same download. The mod manager r2modman (also from Thunderstore) makes client installs trivial.

Popular Mods

What to Read Next

• Maintenance and always back up before installing or updating a mod, since a bad mod can corrupt the world
• Server Configuration for admin setup, which pairs with Server Devcommands