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tModLoader versiontModLoader 1
tModLoader/tModLoader 1.3-Legacy-Only Content: This information applies only to the tModLoader and tModLoader Legacy versions of Terraria.

tModLoader (tML) is a free program which allows playing Terraria with mods. It can be used to download mods from their database, called the Mod Browser, receive updates to mods if there are any, or upload one's own mods to the Mod Browser. It was developed and released by the tML team as a standalone program, and can also be obtained on Steam as a Terraria DLC. The official wiki, with information about creating mods and using tModLoader, can be found on GitHub.

TML is a version of the Terraria game, tweaked to allow modding. There are three versions of tModLoader: One that is based on Terraria ("1.4.4-stable"), one that is based on Terraria 1.4.3.6 ("1.4.3-legacy"), and one that is based on Terraria 1.3.5.3 ("1.3-legacy"). Mods that are available in one variant may not be available in another variant.

TML has a discord server at https://discord.gg/tmodloader (may not be accessible in all countries).

While tModLoader is endorsed by Re-Logic, none of the mods downloadable via it are officially endorsed, and thus should be treated the same as any other third-party software.

Running Legacy versions[]

Many mods are still using older tModLoader versions.

  • Right click on tModLoader in your Steam library.
  • Select Properties...
  • Select BETAS.
  • Select 1.3-legacy or 1.4.3-legacy in the drop-down menu on top.
    • Return to the default version by selecting the None option.
  • Close the window.

Installation[]

  • Install tModLoader:
    • Steam version of Terraria: install tML from https://store.steampowered.com/app/1281930/tModLoader/.
    • GOG version of Terraria, or if Steam Family Share is not working: (see here for more info)
      • Go to the releases page and download the tML release.
      • Unzip the contents of the zip to a folder named tModLoader either next to or nested inside the Terraria install folder.
        • If the folder contains a Build folder, bring the contents up one level.
      • GoG users will need to install Steam (the Mod Browser uses some of the Steam install files to facilitate accessing the Steam Workshop). You should not need an account/be logged in for this to work.
  • Redownload tModLoader files:
    • Steam: Delete the tModLoader folder.
      • Example Windows directory: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common.
      • Example MacOS directory: Library/Application Support/Steam/steamapps/common/tModLoader.
      • Example Linux directory: /.local/share/Steam/steamapps/common/tModLoader.
      • To find your install directory on Steam, right click tModLoader in the library, then hover over Manage and click on Browse local files.
    • Non-Steam computer: Delete the tModLoader folder (see here for the default directory).
    • Uninstall, then reinstall tModLoader in Steam.
  • Note: Your player and world saves are stored in a completely separate folder than the ones mentioned above (see below).

1.4 launch errors[]

Windows 64 bit Users
If you are for whatever reason finding dotnet is not installing, such as internet problems/blocks, download the dotnet runtime.
Place this .zip in the dotnet folder, in your install location.
Extract it, don't change the name - we want 6.0.0.
Steam Linux Users
Game isn't Launching? Read about the bug and workaround in comments here: https://github.com/tModLoader/tModLoader/issues/2140
The directX package from Microsoft for d3dcompiler_47 is missing
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/update-for-the-d3dcompiler-47-dll-component-on-windows-server-2012-windows-7-and-windows-server-2008-r2-769c6690-ed30-4dee-8bf8-dfa30e2f8088. You could also update to the latest windows 10 if that's easier.
Current 1.4 alpha bugs and issues are can be found on the tModLoader GitHub website
https://github.com/tModLoader/tModLoader/issues?q=is%3Aissue+is%3Aopen+label%3A%221.4+alpha+bug%22+sort%3Areactions-%2B1-desc
If you are experiencing an issue, please check the listing to see if the issue or bug is already documented. If it is, reacting to the issue with the 👍 reaction will let us know that you are affected by it. If you have more relevant information to add, please add a comment as well. (The listing might be incomplete, as it only shows issues with a specific label, you should also search all issues by clicking Clear current search query, filters, and sorts button and then searching for a key word).

Manual Installation[]

For those not using the Steam version, or who wish to install an older version of tModLoader (this will replace the version currently installed).

  • Go to the releases page and download the tML release you want (for 1.3, the latest is v0.11.8.9).
  • Unzip the contents of the zip to a folder named <installation directory>tModLoader (e.g. tModLoader1.3) either next to or nested inside the Terraria install folder.
    • 1.4: If the folder contains a Build folder, you will need to remove this intermediate folder and bring the contents up one level.
    • GOG on linux: the nested option inside Terraria\game is preferred.
    • Mac: Library/Application Support/Steam/steamapps/common/tModLoader/tModLoader.app/Contents/MacOS
  • 1.3:
    • GOG version of Terraria:
      • Delete the Steam file from the folder you just extracted tModLoader into (these files might already be deleted from the zip you downloaded):
        • Windows: steam_api.dll
        • Linux: lib/libsteam_api.so and lib64/libsteam_api.so
        • Mac: tModLoader.app/Contents/MacOS/osx/libsteam_api.dylib
    • Steam version of Terraria:
      • If the Steam files are missing from the zip, copy them from your Terraria install to the tModLoader install:
        • steam_appid.txt
        • Windows: steam_api.dll and CSteamworks.dll
        • Linux: lib/libsteam_api.so, lib/libCSteamworks.so, lib64/libsteam_api.so, and lib64/libCSteamworks.so
        • Mac: tModLoader.app/Contents/MacOS/osx/libsteam_api.dylib and tModLoader.app/Contents/MacOS/osx/CSteamworks
  • 1.4 GoG users will need to install Steam (the Mod Browser uses some of the Steam install files to facilitate accessing the Steam Workshop). You should not need an account/be logged in for this to work.

Installing multiple versions of tModLoader[]

The Steam version of Terraria and tModLoader allow for downgrading tModLoader (see Running 1.3). There may be times when you wish to have more than one version of tML installed, particularly if you find yourself switching back and forth often between the latest and an earlier version. The following instructions are for those running the Steam version wishing to install an earlier version of tML - other platforms have not been tested. These instructions assume that you have already followed the steps in Installing the latest tModLoader.

  • 1.3:
    • First follow the steps in Running 1.3.
    • Copy all the files from Steam\steamapps\common\tModLoader into Steam\steamapps\common\tModLoaderxx (e.g. tModLoader1.3).
    • In Steam, switch back to the default beta branch on tModLoader.
  • Other tML versions (and manual 1.3 install):
    • Go to the releases page and download the earlier tML release.
    • Unzip the contents of the zip to the folder Steam\steamapps\common\tModLoaderxx (e.g. tModLoader1.3) either next to or nested inside the Terraria install folder.
  • Click on the Games menu and click Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library.
  • Click Browse... and navigate to the tModLoaderxx folder.
  • Click on tModLoader.exe, click Open, then click Add Selected Programs.
  • Finally, right click on the 2nd tModLoader entry in your library and click Properties, then change "tModLoader" to "tModLoader 1.3" and close the window.
  • It may be possible to use these steps on other platforms (needs testing):
    • Go to the releases page and download the earlier tML release.
    • Unzip the contents of the zip to a folder named <installation directory>tModLoaderxx (e.g. tModLoader1.3) either next to or nested inside the Terraria install folder.
    • Make a desktop shortcut tModLoaderxx for tModLoader.exe found in the tModLoaderxx directory.

File locations[]

Here are some useful default paths.

Saves[]

  • Windows: %UserProfile%\Documents\My Games\Terraria\tModLoader (This is typically found in C:\Documents\)
    • 1.3: %UserProfile%\Documents\My Games\Terraria\ModLoader
  • Linux: ~/.local/share/Terraria/tModLoader/ or $XDG_DATA_HOME/Terraria/tModLoader/
  • Mac: ~/Library/Application support/Terraria/tModLoader/

Installs[]

  • Windows (Steam): C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\tModLoader
  • GOG: C:\GOG Games\tModLoader
  • Linux (Steam): ~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/common/tModLoader or ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/common/tModLoader
  • Mac (Steam): Library/Application Support/Steam/steamapps/common/tModLoader/tModLoader.app/Contents/MacOS

Others[]

  • Mod Path: Your manually installed mods are stored in a subfolder of the Saves folder called /Mods.
  • Workshop mods are stored in C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\1281930, but you shouldn't touch the folder and instead unsubscribe in Steam.
  • Logs Path: The Logs are found in a subfolder of the Install folder called /tModLoader-Logs.

Useful links[]

Items[]

tModLoader adds some assorted items, though none of them particularly impact the game.

This article has open info requests.
 
The following is a list of requests for additions or changes to this article. See Category:Article info requests for all current requests across Terraria Wiki.
* Information as to how you obtain the April Fools Joke.
* Differences between the desktop version and the tModLoader version, including the lack of Shimmer and a reduced max stack.
When a request is fulfilled, edit this page and remove it. When all requests are fulfilled, remove the {{info request}} template from this page.
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