Create items, creatures, buildings, and new worlds

Start with a mod folder

Signs of Life calls each mod a content pack. In practice, that is just a folder or zip containing a short description of the mod, the things it adds, and any artwork or sounds it needs.

The Mods menu finds packs you made yourself and packs installed through Steam Workshop. You can turn them on or off from there.

Use Lua when files are not enough

You do not need to write code for every mod. If you want a new item or creature to do something unusual, though, you can use the Lua scripting language. The game gives those scripts a documented set of safe ways to interact with players, creatures, items, and the world.

The Lua programming reference lists what scripts can do. The Lua safety guide explains why scripts cannot browse your files or control the rest of your computer.

Make a different kind of world

Mods can add new world types with their own terrain, creatures, sky, gravity, starting point, size, and other options.

The custom-world guide starts with the basics. The world-building reference covers the more detailed controls.

Mod Prep handles the fiddly parts

The Windows version includes a tool called Mod Prep. It creates the basic files, checks for common mistakes, installs a copy for testing, and prepares the finished mod for Steam Workshop. You make the final Workshop upload from the Mods menu inside the game.