Project Zomboid Server Modding Guide

This guide covers the two most common ways to install mods for a Project Zomboid multiplayer server using Steam Workshop content.

This guide only covers Steam Workshop mods. Manual mod installations are not supported.

Choose Your Installation Method

  1. Recommended method: configure mods locally, then copy generated values to the server
  2. Quick method: manually paste Workshop IDs and Mod IDs directly into the server .ini

The recommended method is more reliable because it makes dependencies easier to include correctly.

Some players may be unable to join modded servers due to Lua checksum mismatches.

To prevent this:

  1. In your server .ini file, find: DoLuaChecksum=true
  2. Change it to: DoLuaChecksum=false
  3. Save the file and restart the server

Method 1: Quick Mod Installation (Manual IDs)

This method is faster, but it does not automatically handle dependencies. Use it if you are comfortable troubleshooting missing or invalid IDs.

This method may cause mods to load incorrectly if required dependencies are missing.

Step-by-Step

  1. Open the Project Zomboid Workshop: https://steamcommunity.com/app/108600/workshop/
  2. For each mod, copy both values from its workshop page:
    • Workshop ID
    • Mod ID
  3. Log in to the ApexNode panel: https://panel.apexnode.host
  4. Select your Project Zomboid server
  5. Open Files and go to .cache/Server
  6. Open the active server .ini file
  7. Add IDs to the correct lines:
    • Append Mod IDs to Mods=
    • Append Workshop IDs to WorkshopItems=
  8. Separate multiple entries with semicolons (;)
  9. Save and restart the server

Quick Method Notes

  • Dependencies must be added manually
  • Mods may appear as [Not Found] if IDs are missing or incorrect
  • Double-check spelling, separators, and ID order
  • Server restart is required for changes to take effect

This method takes longer up front but is more reliable for larger mod lists.

Step 1: Subscribe to Mods on Steam

  1. Open the Project Zomboid Steam Workshop:
    https://steamcommunity.com/app/108600/workshop/
  2. Find the mod(s) you want to install and subscribe to them
  3. Make sure to also subscribe to all required dependencies listed on the mod’s Workshop page

Step 2: Configure a Local Host Profile

  1. Launch Project Zomboid through Steam
  2. (Optional but recommended)
    Install Better Server Settings to simplify mod configuration: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2756434288
  3. At the main menu, click Host
  4. Click Create New Settings
  5. Name it something easy to find (for example, servertest)

Step 3: Add Mods in Host Settings

  1. Open the Mods tab
  2. Select all mods you want to use on the server
  3. If workshop IDs do not auto-populate, add missing Workshop IDs manually
  4. Once all mods are added, click Save

Step 4: Open the Generated Local .ini

  1. Open File Explorer
  2. Navigate to: C:\Users\<your_name>\Zomboid\Server
  3. Open the file: servertest.ini
  4. Keep this file open — you’ll be copying values from it shortly

Step 5: Open Your Server .ini in ApexNode

  1. Log in to the ApexNode panel: https://panel.apexnode.host
  2. Select your Project Zomboid server
  3. Open the Files tab
  4. Navigate to: .cache/Server
  5. Open the .ini file your server is using
  6. Confirm the filename in the Startup tab under Server Name if needed

Step 6: Copy Required Lines

From your local servertest.ini file:

  1. Copy the entire line starting with: Mods=
  2. Paste it into the server .ini, replacing the existing Mods= line
  3. Copy the entire line starting with: WorkshopItems=
  4. Paste it into the server .ini, replacing the existing WorkshopItems= line
  5. Save the file

Step 7: Restart and Verify

Restart your Project Zomboid server.

During startup, you should see Steam Workshop mods downloading in the server console. Once startup completes, the mods will be active.

Troubleshooting

  1. Always restart after changing mod configuration
  2. If a mod shows [Not Found], verify Workshop ID and Mod ID
  3. Confirm dependencies are installed for every major mod
  4. Check separators in Mods= and WorkshopItems= (use ;)