Introduction to Goal: Add mods without corrupting saves, breaking

Goal: Add mods without corrupting saves, breaking updates, or triggering anticheat.

Works for: GTA V/SP & FiveM, Bethesda games (Skyrim/Fallout), Minecraft, and most moddable PC games.

---

TL;DR Safety Checklist

• Back up first: game folder + saves.
• Sandbox: test new mods in a separate profile or portable copy.
• Use a manager (Vortex/MO2, or FiveM resource isolation) — avoid manual overwrites when possible.
• Install one change at a time; launch and verify; keep notes.
• Pin versions (game + mod + dependencies) and keep installers.
• Have a rollback plan (restore point, clean uninstall steps).

---

Before You Start

1. Identify your game type
   • Offline/SP (Skyrim, GTA V SP): freely moddable.
   • Live‑service/online (GTA Online, CS2): do not inject client mods — risk of bans.
   • Multiplayer frameworks (FiveM): follow server‑side rules and separate from GTA Online.
   • Create a safe workspace
     • Make C:/Games/<Game>-MODLAB/ (or another drive) to hold downloads, profiles, and backups.
     • Back up
       • Copy GameFolder/ and Savegames to an external folder (zip them).
       • Optional: a system restore point or snapshot (Time Machine, etc.).

         Internal resources: Tutorials, Troubleshooting, Performance.

         ---

         Source Mods from Safe Places

         • Primary hubs: Nexus Mods, Mod authors’ GitHub Releases, reputable forums/Discords.
         • Avoid: random re‑uploads, link shorteners, cracked packs.
         • Verify downloads
           • Check hashes if provided; scan with Windows Defender or VirusTotal.
           • Prefer .7z/.zip archives over unknown installers.

             Internal picks: Graphics mods , Reshade for FiveM ,

             Internal picks: Graphics mods, Reshade for FiveM, OpenIV.

             ---

             Pick the Right Install Strategy

             A) Single‑Player (GTA V SP, Skyrim, etc.)

             1. Use a mod manager
                • Skyrim/Fallout: Mod Organizer 2 (profiles) or Vortex (rules & load order).
                • GTA V SP: use OpenIV for .rpf edits with mods folder (never touch originals).
                • Profiles = isolation
                  • Create a fresh profile; enable mods incrementally; keep a clean profile to reproduce issues.
                  • Order matters
                    • Apply frameworks first (ScriptHook/ASI loaders), then libraries/deps, then content/visuals, finally patches.
                    • Test in short loops
                      • Launch → load a test save → check logs → quit. If stable, add the next mod.

                        B) Multiplayer/Online Games

                        • Never inject client mods in protected modes. Limit to allowed cosmetic packs; read the game’s policy.
                        • Use Steam “Verify integrity” after uninstalling experimental tweaks.

                        C) FiveM (Client & Server)

                        • Client
                          • Keep FiveM cache clean after big changes: Guide.
                          • Visual mods (ReShade/NVE) must follow FiveM guidelines and server rules: Graphics mods.
                          • Server
                            1. Create /resources/[local]/ for tests; never dump into core.
                            2. One resource at a time → watch resmon usage: Resmon tutorial.
                            3. Track versions, readme, and config diffs in Git.
                            4. Keep a backup/restore plan: Server backup guide.

                               ---

                               Safe Install Procedure (Generic)

                               1. Read the README (requirements, compatible game build, load order).
                               2. Snapshot
                                  • Zip the current GameFolder/ and saves, or snapshot the VM/drive.
                                  • Dry‑run
                                    • Unpack the mod to a temp folder; inspect files; check for scripts/EXEs.
                                    • Install via manager or into mods/ folder (never overwrite base files directly).
                                    • Launch + Smoke test
                                      • New game/load test → check console/log.
                                      • Log issues early
                                        • Keep a CHANGELOG.md: mod name, version, date, notes.

                                          ---

                                          Updating Mods Without Chaos

                                          • Freeze working setups (copy the profile) before updating.
                                          • Update dependencies first, then the mod; re‑run tests.
                                          • If the game updated (new build), wait for critical frameworks to catch up.
                                          • Keep old archives to roll back quickly.

                                          ---

                                          Uninstalling Cleanly

                                          1. Disable in manager, rebuild load order.
                                          2. Remove leftover configs in Documents/My Games/ or %AppData% only if the mod docs say so.
                                          3. If you edited archives (e.g., GTA .rpf) restore from the mods/ copy or re‑verify files in the launcher.

                                          ---

                                          Common Pitfalls (and Fixes)

                                          • Infinite loading / crashes → remove last mod; clear caches; verify files.
                                          • Missing textures/models → wrong load order or missing dependency; read the mod page again.
                                          • Performance tanks → profile A/B: enable only visuals vs. gameplay; use in‑game benchmarks.
                                          • Multiplayer bans → remove any injectors; run clean profile; understand server rules first.

                                          Internal help: Error codes & fixes , Crash help

                                          Internal help: Error codes & fixes, Crash help, Performance tuning.

                                          ---

                                          Minimal Tooling Stack

                                          • Archive: 7‑Zip.
                                          • Virus scan: Windows Defender + VirusTotal (manual check for first‑time authors).
                                          • Managers: Vortex / MO2 (Bethesda), OpenIV (GTA V SP), FiveM resource isolation.
                                          • Diff/notes: Git or a simple CHANGELOG.md.

                                          ---

                                          FiveM‑Specific Starters

                                          • How to install FiveM Mods
                                          • How to use Resmon
                                          • How to install add‑on cars to a FiveM server
                                          • How to add an MLO to your FiveM server

                                          ---

                                          Recovery Plan (When Things Break)

                                          1. Restore your last profile/backup.
                                          2. Verify game files in your launcher (Steam/Epic/Rockstar).
                                          3. Re‑enable mods in halves (binary search) to isolate the culprit.
                                          4. Re‑read the mod page for exact requirements and known conflicts.

                                          More help: Troubleshooting hub.

                                          ---

                                          External, Trustworthy References

                                          • Nexus Mods (policies, versioning): https://www.nexusmods.com
                                          • Mod Organizer 2: https://github.com/ModOrganizer2/modorganizer/releases
                                          • Vortex Mod Manager: https://www.nexusmods.com/site/mods/1
                                          • VirusTotal: https://www.virustotal.com
                                          • 7‑Zip: https://www.7-zip.org
                                          • Steam: Verify Game Files: https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/0C48-FCBD-DA71-93EB

                                          ---

                                          Final Tip

                                          Treat your mod setup like a software project: isolate, document, version, and test. That’s how you keep your saves safe and your game stable.