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Mod troubleshooting

Start with Mod Prep → Validate. Keep the source project open so paths and errors refer to the files you are actually editing.

The mod is not listed

  • Confirm the folder containing modinfo.json is directly under Documents/My Games/Signs of Life/Mods/, or use Install / Refresh Test Copy.
  • A zip must contain the pack folder and its modinfo.json; do not put a zip inside an otherwise empty pack folder.
  • Use Open Mods Folder from the game's Mods menu to verify the exact path.

The mod says Pending

  • For a local pack, press Load Now in single-player or restart.
  • For a Workshop pack, Steam may still be downloading it. Wait for installation and reopen the Mods menu.
  • Packs containing global configuration or world-profile changes may require a restart instead of a mid-session merge.

Load Now fails

  • Read the error prompt and copy it if needed.
  • Run Mod Prep validation again after the latest edit.
  • Check the game log under Documents/My Games/Signs of Life/Logs/ for the source file and exception.
  • Restore the last working edit, then add changes back one at a time.

The item exists but its sprite is missing

  • InventorySpritePath is relative to the pack root.
  • Match filename spelling and extension exactly; this also matters when a pack is used on a case-sensitive system.
  • Keep loose inventory art inside the pack. Do not point at a file elsewhere on your computer.

A staged package is not listed

  • Stage it through Mod Prep instead of manually zipping it.
  • Use Open Staging Folder in the Mods menu. A candidate needs workshop.json, a preview, and an inner mod zip in the same folder.
  • Restage after moving the source project or staging directory.

Steam upload fails

  • Steam must be running, logged in, and initialized by the game.
  • Correct the result shown by the upload error; staged files remain available for another attempt.
  • Accept the Steam Workshop legal agreement if Steam requests it.
  • Leave the first upload private until its page, preview, and download have been checked.

An update would create the wrong item

Cancel. Open and restage the original project whose .solmodproject.json remembers its PublishedFileId. Do not rely on matching titles when two published items have the same name.