How to Mod Stardew Valley: A Complete Guide

Certain games achieve a lasting popularity long after they are first launched, and Stardew Valley is a prime example. Its inherent joyfulness encourages players to dive deeper into its mechanics, often leading them to create their own content after mastering the basics. While playing with friends can extend a game’s appeal, the most engaging mods can make the gameplay nearly limitless. Unfortunately, the realm of modding can be daunting for newcomers unfamiliar with manipulating game files. Fortunately, this guide simplifies the process for you.

Modding Stardew Valley

Modding Stardew Valley on consoles often requires extensive technical skills and may even void your warranty if you opt for jailbreaking, so we will bypass those methods. Let’s focus instead on modding the PC version, which is far more straightforward and legal.

Step 1: Download SMAPI from the official website.

SMAPI is a mod loader specifically designed for Stardew Valley and works with both GOG and Steam editions. This free software allows mods to interact directly with the game’s core programming. Ensure that you download the correct version for your operating system, whether it’s Windows, Mac, Linux, Steam Deck, or Android.

Step 2: Once the ZIP file has downloaded, extract it and save it in an accessible location on your computer.

Step 3: Inside the extracted folder, run the Install on Windows.bat file if you’re using Windows. For other operating systems, the name of the respective file will be displayed accordingly.

Step 4: Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation process.

Step 5: With SMAPI installed, you’ll need some mods. It’s advisable to visit Nexus Mods, as they are a trustworthy source for downloading mods.

Step 6: Browse the site to find a mod you’d like to try and download the necessary files.

Step 7: Return to the location where you saved SMAPI and navigate to the Mods folder.

Step 8: Place the downloaded mod files into this folder.

Step 9: To enjoy Stardew Valley with mods, launch the game through SMAPI by double-clicking on the StardewModdingAPI.exe file.

Step 10: The game should launch normally, now with any mods you’ve placed in the folder fully active.

If you decide to remove a mod, simply return to the Mods folder and delete the respective files.