This guide covers installing and managing mods on your Terraria server using tModLoader, including switching to tModLoader, uploading .tmod files, and configuring your mod list. For basic server configuration and connecting, see Terraria Server Setup Guide.
What Is tModLoader?
tModLoader is a modding platform that runs as a separate executable alongside (or instead of) vanilla Terraria. Legion Hosting supports tModLoader as a selectable server version. When tModLoader is active, you install and run mods from the mods/ directory.
Switching to tModLoader
- Log in to GPanel.
- Stop your server.
- Navigate to the Startup or Configuration section.
- Change the server version or executable to tModLoader.
- Save the setting and restart the server.
.wld), but tModLoader worlds may have modded content embedded. Loading a tModLoader world in vanilla Terraria (or vice versa) may cause data loss or corruption. Keep separate world files for each.
Switching Back to Vanilla
To switch back to vanilla Terraria, repeat the steps above and select the standard Terraria server version. No world files are deleted during the switch, but ensure you point serverconfig.txt to a vanilla-compatible world.
Installing Mods
Mods for tModLoader use the .tmod file format and are placed in the mods/ directory on your server. The server must be running tModLoader for mods to load.
Method 1: Upload .tmod Files Directly
- Download the
.tmodfile for the mod from the Steam Workshop or the tModLoader browser. - Connect to your server via SFTP — see How to Upload Files via SFTP.
- Upload the
.tmodfile to themods/directory. - Restart the server. tModLoader will load all
.tmodfiles found in themods/directory on startup.
Method 2: Workshop Mods (enabled.json)
tModLoader also supports an enabled.json file inside the mods/ directory that lists which mods should be active. This file is managed automatically when using tModLoader's in-game mod browser, but you can also edit it manually.
{
"EnabledMods": [
"ModName1",
"ModName2"
]
}
enabled.json matches the internal mod name, not the display name. Check the mod's page or the .tmod filename for the exact internal name.
Verifying Mods Are Loaded
After restarting, check your server's console log in GPanel. tModLoader lists each loaded mod during startup. If a mod fails to load, an error message will appear in the log indicating the cause (version mismatch, missing dependency, etc.).
Removing or Disabling Mods
To remove a mod entirely, delete its .tmod file from the mods/ directory via SFTP or the GPanel file manager, then restart the server.
To disable a mod without deleting it, edit mods/enabled.json and remove the mod's internal name from the EnabledMods array. The .tmod file will remain on disk but will not be loaded on the next restart.
File Reference
| Path | Contents |
|---|---|
mods/ |
tModLoader mod files (.tmod format) |
mods/enabled.json |
List of enabled mod internal names |
Related Articles
- Terraria Server Setup Guide — Server configuration, world setup, and connecting
- Terraria Troubleshooting — Common issues and fixes
- How to Upload Files via SFTP
