Modding

Version

This article is timeless and should be accurate for any version of the game.

Modding, or creating mods, is the act of modifying the behavior of the base game (often referred to as vanilla), either for personal use, or to release publicly to other players, for instance via the Steam Workshop.

As with all Paradox games, Stellaris is moddable to a great extent. Motivations of modders may vary widely; better translation to native language, more events or decisions, better map, major overhaul, shameless cheating, etc.

This guide is intended to lower the entry barriers to the world of Stellaris modding. However, there is still a learning curve to it, and it cannot replace the need to read some working vanilla code, and do lots of trial and error experimentation!

Modding

Pops	Jobs • Factions

Leaders

Leaders • Leader traits

Species

Species • Species traits

Land Warfare

Armies • Bombardment stance

Guidelines

• Create a mod for your modifications: use a personal mod even for small changes, and never directly modify the game files in the Steam Stellaris folder, as they may be overwritten without warning.
• Use a good text editor (recommended: VSCodium or Visual Studio Code) to edit files and search into multiple files. A good text editor can also format the displayed text so that braces can be collapsed if complete, and complete/incomplete pairs are highlighted.
• Use the error.log file to get execution errors: The log folder can be found right next to the mod folder. Good Editors usually have the ability to track changes to files from outside the program and prompt for a reload, thus showing you errors with one glance at the file. Note that some modifications need a game to be loaded or even the option to be used on screen/in the back-end before their code will run.
• Use CWTools for advanced validation and auto-complete: CWTools is a syntax validator for Stellaris modding, developed as an extension for Visual Studio Code and also available for Sublime. Read the forum post by the developer for more info.
• Minimize overwrites of vanilla files, unless that is your main goal or somehow necessary (on_action triggers). Adding separate files and use loading from folders whenever possible, to improve mod compatibility and maintenance. Your files can have any name, all files in the folder will be loaded by the game. So choose a prefix no one else will ever use like the name of your mod. Even DLC follows that pattern.
• Use a proper merge tool (like WinMerge, or the Visual Studio Code Extension L13 Diff ), to merge between folders, and update modified vanilla files to a new vanilla patch.
• Backup your work to avoid losing everything. Consider using a source control system like Git and a collaborative forge like GitHub to manage team collaboration.
• Use UTF-8 encoding for text and .mod files.
• Use UTF-8 with BOM for localization and name list files.
• Indent properly and, again, use a good text editor, to easily spot unclosed curly braces. Vanilla uses 1 tab for indentation rather than spaces.
• Use comments starting with a # character, to remember your reasons for writing tricky stuff.

A note for programmers

If a new modder has a programming background with languages like C, Java, and Python, they may find the structure of Stellaris script confusing. This is likely for two reasons:

• The Clausewitz Engine's scripting language doesn't separate basic syntax and keywords from game-specific structures and higher-level structures. For example, Triggers contains both the switch flow control structure and a conditional iteration any_playable_country, which are difficult to distinguish in form. Effects has both create_rebels and the while flow control.
• The scripting language uses the = operator for Boolean operations, assignments, scope changes, and for activating Triggers and Effects.

The following is a common example of valid structure:

capital_scope = {							# change to the scope of the country's capital planet
	every_deposit = {						# iterate through every deposit on the planet
		limit = {							# check each deposit for these conditions
			category = deposit_cat_blockers	# Boolean comparison using check the deposit's category
		}
		remove_deposit = yes				# activate an Effect to cause a change
	}
}

For this reason, it is recommended that they follow the modding tutorial linked below and read the vanilla game files to better understand how the scripts function.

Modding tutorial

There is a modding tutorial available which covers steps necessary to create a basic mod.

Mod management

The first steps of modding is getting to know where the mods are located, how they're structured and what to do when uploading your first mod!

Mod folder location

OS	Path
Linux	~/.local/share/Paradox Interactive/Stellaris/mod
Windows	…\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Stellaris\mod
Mac OS	~/Documents/Paradox Interactive/Stellaris/mod

Mods from the Steam Workshop will be placed in …\SteamLibrary\SteamApps\workshop\content\281990, named by their Workshop ID.
Mods from Paradox Mods will be placed in the mod folder location, named PDX_*MOD_ID*.

File and folder structure

Getting the structure set up correctly when creating a mod is essential for it to run properly.

This is the required structure inside the main mod folder:

• modname.mod – Includes the information used by the Stellaris launcher
• modname – Folder where all the modified files are placed, in the same file and folder structure as the game folder
  • Mod contents
  • descriptor.mod – Required for the new launcher added in patch 2.4. Ignored in the old launcher.
  • image.ext – PNG and JPEG files are supported. With the new 2.4 launcher, must be a PNG named thumbnail.png

modname.mod and descriptor.mod both contain the mod information that the launcher uses when displaying the mod and uploading it.
The 2.4 launcher prefers descriptor.mod and will modify modname.mod to match the information in descriptor.mod, however if the file is not found, it'll use the information in modname.mod. The pre-2.4 launcher ignores it.
The path="XXX" is not needed in descriptor.mod.
Note that folder and file names are case sensitive on Mac OS X and Linux.

modname.mod structure
This also applies to descriptor.mod.

Name	Required	Description	Example
name	Yes	Name of your mod.	name="My Stellaris Mod"
path	modname.mod: Yes descriptor.mod: No (Ignored)	Defines which folder is the mod’s folder. It can be an absolute directory or relative to the …\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Stellaris directory. The Paradox Launcher will automatically correct a relative path to the corresponding absolute path. Note: Stellaris uses (Unix) slash / instead of (Microsoft) backslash \ (or \\).	path="mod/MyStellarisMod"
dependencies	No	Specifies if the mod should be loaded after the listed mod(s), if they exist. Very useful for submods or compatibility patches to make sure they overrule certain mods.	dependencies={ "My Other Stellaris Mod" "Not My Stellaris Mod" }
picture	No	Specifies the mod thumbnail used on Steam Workshop. With the new 2.4 launcher, this must be a PNG file named thumbnail.png.	picture="thumbnail.png"
tags	No	List of tags for Steam Workshop. Using tags besides the predefined ones may prevent uploading on Paradox Mods. Warning: Maximal 10 are allowed (at least since launcher version 2022.10). Don't forget quotes for tags that contain spaces.	tags={ "Tag1" "Tag2" }
version	No	Specifies what the launcher will show as the version of the mod. (Not the version of the game it’s meant for). Any string is accepted.	version="v.4.5"
supported_version	Recommended	Specifies what game version the mod supports. The last number can be replaced with the asterisk (*) symbol to tell the launcher that mod supports any value, like 2.4.*. Only the last number supports this.	supported_version="2.4.1"
remote_file_id	No	Property added by the launcher that includes the Steam Workshop ID. Ignore it.	remote_file_id="1234567890"

The data structure is similar to the proprietary Valve Data Format.

Example modname.mod file SomeMod.mod

name="SomeMod"
path="mod/SomeMod"
dependencies={
	"othermod"
	"another mod"
}
tags={
	"Graphics"
	"Economy"
	"Overhaul"
}
picture="thumbnail.png"
remote_file_id="1234567890"
supported_version="2.4.*"

Adding a thumbnail

The Steam Workshop allows for a preview thumbnail picture that'll be displayed when searching for mods and as a preview picture if you haven't uploaded any, otherwise it'll be placed to the right of the preview pictures.
It’s recommended to make the thumbnail 512px × 512px at minimum, which is used by the workshop frontpage.
Additionally, the thumbnail file should be under 1 MB in size, otherwise, it will not be uploaded.
Both JPEG and PNG are supported, and after 2.4, the image file must be named thumbnail.png.

1. Make sure the Stellaris launcher is closed, so that it doesn't revert your changes
2. Open up modname.mod and descriptor.mod files
3. Make sure picture="thumbnail.png" exists, if not, add it
4. Add your image file in your mod folder
5. Start up the launcher and update your mod
6. Thumbnail should now show up at the Steam Workshop mod page

You can always update the thumbnail at any time by updating the mod (unless you are only a co-author).

Creating a mod

You can use the game launcher to set up a mod structure for you by following these simple steps according to your launcher of choice:

#	Launcher v1 (<=2.3.3)	Launcher v2 (>=2.4.0)	Launcher v⁇⁇
1	Launch the game
2	Navigate to the mods tab
3	Click Mod Tools		Click Upload Mod
4	Click Create Mod		Click Create Mod
5	Insert the relevant information and click Create Mod at the bottom
6	Navigate to the mod folder and locate your mod folder
7	Start modding!

Uploading and updating a mod

Uploading and updating a mod follows the same procedure, depending on your launcher of choice:

* – The inserted description will replace the current one used on the mod page!

#	Launcher v1 (<=2.3.3)	Launcher v2 (>=2.4.0)
1	Launch the game
2	Navigate to the mods tab
3	Click Mod Tools
4	Click Upload Mod	Click Upload a Mod
5	Select your mod from the list
6	Click Fetch Info and wait for a response	Select mod site
7		Insert description*
8	Click Upload	Click Upload Mod
9	The launcher will now upload your changes and inform you when it’s done or if an error occurred.
10	Navigate to the mod service of choice and locate your mod; Steam Workshop, visit the Workshop page, and locate the "Files you've posted" button by hovering over "Your Files" on the right Paradox Mods, visit the Mods page, login, and click "My uploaded mods" in the dropdown menu that appears when hovering over your name

Note that if you subscribe to an uploaded version of your mod while you still have the .mod file of your original mod in the mods folder, the uploaded mod will likely not work.

Game data

• Console commands, useful for debugging mods.
• Defines, which allows you to influence some hardcoded vanilla behaviors
• Scopes, Conditions, and Commands used for scripting
• Modifiers, used to influence calculations made by the game
• Events, used to define popups with decisions
• Map, used for pre-generated galaxy maps

Game structure

Below is a list of game files and folders, listed alongside the modding guide for each.

Stellaris/common/

Folder/File	Summary	Guides
agendas	Agendas are given to leader-candidates in Oligarchic government-forms	Agendas
agreement_presets	Definitions for subject types.since v.3.4	Subjects
agreement_resources	Definitions for subject types.since v.3.4	Subjects
agreement_term_values	Definitions for subject types.since v.3.4	Subjects
agreement_terms	Definitions for subject types.since v.3.4	Subjects
ai_budget	Determine how AI should handle resources.	AI
ambient_objects	References used by code to spawn ambient objects	Models
archaeological_site_types	Definitions for Archaeological Sites to be discovered and delved by Science Ships.	Ancestral Relics
anomalies	Events that occur for research ships	Anomalies
armies	Definitions for army types	Armies
army_attachments (Deprecated)
artifact_actions	Definitions for Artifact Actions.	Ancestral Relics
ascension_perks	Definitions for Ascension Perks.	Traditions
attitudes	Definitions containing the restrictions for each attitude used by the AI	AI
bombardment_stances	Definitions of bombardment stances.	Bombardment Stances
buildable_pops (Deprecated)
buildings	Setup for buildings constructable on planets, and those given through events	Buildings
button_effects	Definitions for button effects.	Graphics
bypass	Definitions for bypasses (gateway, worm hole and l-gate)	Bypasses
casus_belli	Definitions for casus belli.	Wars
colony_automation	Definitions for colony autobuild types.	Colony Automations
colony_automation_exceptions	Definitions for colony autobuild types.	Colony Automations
colors	Color definitions used for the country color selection	Countries
component_flags (Deprecated)
component_sets	List of the sets of components used by ships	Ships
component_slot_templates	Slot templates to be used with ship sections.	Ships
component_tags	Used to group components together for common modifiers	Ships
component_templates	Attribute setup for each weapon and the templates used for ships	Ships
country_types	Rules for each country within the game.	Countries
decisions	Definitions for planetary decisions.	Decisions
defines	Basic game behaviors and settings	Defines
deposit_categories	Deposit categories relevant to deposit generation.	Planet Generation
deposits	Setup for the deposits of resources found on planets as well as blockers spawned on habitable planets.	Planet Generation
diplo_phrases	Setup for the logic behind the diplomatic phrases used between countries.	AI
diplomacy_economy	Economy units based on diplomacy. Diplomatic upkeeps like influence upkeep of Federations are defined here.	Diplomacy
diplomatic_actions	Setup for the rules for diplomatic actions.	Diplomacy
districts	Definitions for districts.	Buildings
economic_categories	Definitions for economic categories.	Economy
economic_plans	Definitions for AI economy plans.	AI
edicts	Setup for the edicts used by countries.	Edicts
ethics	Setup for ethics, controlling their modifiers and categories	Ethics
event_chains	Setup for the event chains used in the events folder	Event chains
fallen_empires	Sets up the countries and system initializer used for fallen empires	Systems
federation_law_categories	Definitions for federation law categories.	Diplomacy
federation_laws	Definitions for federation laws.	Diplomacy
federation_perks	Definitions for federation perks.	Diplomacy
federation_types	Definitions for federation types.	Diplomacy
galactic_focuses	Definitions for galactic focuses relevant to the Galactic Community.	Diplomacy
game_rules	Logic used for various game actions, i.e. can_enslave_pop. Logic here does not override hardcoded rules.	Gameplay
global_ship_designs	Designs used by the ship designer for each species	Ships
governments	Setup for the governments.	Governments
graphical_culture	Controls the lighting used for ships, which differs between graphical cultures.	Species
lawsuits	Unused.
leader_classes	Definitions for leader classes.	Leaders
mandates	Controls the mandates used by factions	Mandates
map_modes	Definitions for map modes to be used in the galaxy view.	Map Modes
megastructures	Definitions for megastructures.	Megastructures
name_lists	Sets up the names used for each species.	Empire
notification_modifiers	A variation of static modifiers. They have no modifiers and can only be added to empires.	Static Modifiers
observation_station_missions	Actions that can be done with observation stations depending on ethic choices.	Gameplay
on_actions	Events and actions that happens when you move, or do anything.	Events
opinion_modifiers	Opinion of Empires on other Empires depending on Political status and Ethics.	Opinion Modifiers
personalities	Shows the personalities of Empires AI traits and of Fallen Empires and enables editing them.	AI
planet_classes	The setup for all the planets and stars in the game.	Planets
planet_modifiers	Spawn chances planet modifiers (f.e. lush, hazardous weather, etc.).	Planet Generation
policies	AI Policy grabbing (What order they take policies in)	Policies
pop_categories	Definitions for pop categories (social strata).	Pop Jobs
pop_faction_types	Population faction types and personalities	Pop Factions
pop_jobs	Definitions for pop jobs.	Pop Jobs
precursor_civilizations	Precursor civilization weightings	Planets
random_names	Lists of random names for Empires	Gameplay
relics	Definitions for Relics.	Ancestral Relics
resolution_categories	Definitions for resolution categories relevant to the Galactic Community.	Diplomacy
resolutions	Definitions for resolutions relevant to the Galactic Community.	Diplomacy
scripted_effects	Pre-defined blocks of Effects to be called elsewhere.	Dynamic
scripted_loc	Pre-defined methods to provide text based on the scoped object’s attributes.	Dynamic
scripted_triggers	Pre-defined blocks of Conditions to be called elsewhere.	Dynamic
scripted_variables	Pre-defined "@" variables to be called from other game files.	Dynamic
section_templates	Container of components that consist actual ships.	Ship
sector_focuses	Types of sectors and how they act.	Colony Automations
sector_types	Types of sectors and how they act.	Colony Automations
ship_behaviours	Standard ship behaviours.	Ship
ship_of_size_limits	Number of ships that can be built based on size_multiplier and naval_cap_div	Ship
ship_sizes	Sizes of the Ships.	Ship
solar_system_initializers	Defines starting systems for players, AI, event systems, hostile systems, etc.	Systems
spaceport_modules (Deprecated)
special_projects		Special Projects
species_archetypes	Definitions for species archetypes to give some shared attributes to species classes.	Species
species_classes	Definitions for species classes that are sets of species portraits.	Species
species_names	Definitions for species random names.	Species
species_rights	Definitions for species rights.	Species
star_classes	Types of solar systems (NOT individual stars themselves!)	Systems
starbase_buildings	Definitions for starbase buildings that each starbase can only have one of each of them.	Starbases
starbase_levels	Definitions for starbase levels.	Starbases
starbase_modules	Definitions for starbase modules.	Starbases
starbase_types	Definitions for starbase types. To players, no effects, flavor only. To the AI, a starbase auto-build guide.	Starbases
start_screen_messages	Messages that should be shown to the player at the start of the game.	Gameplay
static_modifiers	Blocks of Modifiers to be added to objects.	Static Modifiers
strategic_resources	Definitions for resources, not just strategic resources.	Economy
subjects (Deprecated)	Definitions for subject types.since v.3.4	Diplomacy
system_types	Definitions for system types. No effects, flavor only.	Starbases
technology	Definitions for technologies.	Technology
terraform	Definitions for terraform methods.	Planets
trade_conversions	Definitions for trade value conversions.	Economy
tile_blockers (Deprecated)
tradition_categories	Definitions for tradition groups.	Traditions
traditions	Definitions for traditions.	Traditions
traits	Definitions for species traits and leader traits.	Traits
triggered_modifiers (Deprecated)
war_demand_counters (Deprecated)
war_demand_types (Deprecated)
war_goals	Definitions for war goals.	Wars
achievements.txt	Definitions for achievements. Modding this file doesn't make sense, since achievements are disabled for any "common" changing/expanding mods anyway.
alerts.txt		Messages
message_types.txt		Messages

Stellaris/events/

Folder/File	Summary	Guides
example_events.txt	Contains the event code for a set of events.	Events

Stellaris/flags/

Folder/File	Summary	Guides
*.dds	A flag image file.	Flags
colors.txt	Sets up the allowed colors for flags and the randomizable combos.	Flags

Stellaris/fonts/

File	Summary	Guides
fonts.asset	Sets up the fonts used by the game.	Fonts

Stellaris/gfx/

Folder/File	Summary	Guides
advisorwindow	Sets up the 3D view for the advisor	Graphics
arrows	Contains the images used by various arrows ingame.	Graphics
cursors	Contains the cursor files/images used ingame.	Graphics
event_pictures	Contains the pictures used in events.	Events
fonts	Contains the font files used ingame.	Fonts
FX	Contains the FX shaders used ingame.	Graphical Effect
interface/	Contains the images used for interfaces ingame.	Graphics
interface/anomaly	Contains the images used for the anomaly mechanic	Graphics
interface/buttons	Contains the images used for buttons	Graphics
interface/diplomacy	Contains the images used for the diplomacy interface.	Graphics
interface/elections	Contains the images used for the election interface.	Graphics
interface/event_window	Contains the images used for the event window.	Graphics
interface/flags	Contains the image masks used for flags.	Graphics
interface/fleet_view	Contains the images used for fleets.	Graphics
interface/frontend	Contains the images used for the frontend interface.	Graphics
interface/government_mod_window	Contains the images used for the government modification interface.	Graphics
interface/icons	Contains the icons used for everything in the game.	Graphics
interface/main	Contains the images used for generic actions.	Graphics
interface/old	Contains the images used from EU4	Graphics
interface/outliner	Contains the images used for the outliner interface.	Graphics
interface/planetview	Contains the images used for the planet view interface.	Graphics
interface/progressbars	Contains the images used for progress bars ingame.	Graphics
interface/ship_designer	Contains the images used for the ship designer interface.	Graphics
interface/situation_log	Contains the images used for the situation log interface.	Graphics
interface/sliders	Contains the images used for sliders ingame.	Graphics
interface/system	Contains the images used for the system view interface.	Graphics
interface/tech_view	Contains the images used for the technology view interface.	Graphics
interface/tiles	Contains the images used for the tile view interface.	Graphics
interface/topbar	Contains the images used for the topbar interface.	Graphics
interface/waroverview	Contains the images used for the war view interface.	Graphics
keyicons	Contains the images used for button presses ingame.	Graphics
lights	Contains the logic used for the light effects ingame.	Graphical Effect
loadingscreens	Contains the images used for loadscreens.	Graphics
models	Contains the model .mesh files and images.	Models
models/portraits	Contains the portrait .mesh files and images.	Portraits
particles	Contains the logic and images used for particles.	Graphics
pingmap	Contains the logic used for pings.	Graphics
portraits	Contains the logic used for portrait images.	Portraits
projectiles	Contains the logic used for projectiles.	Graphics
shipview	Contains the logic used for ship view.	Graphics
worldgfx	Contains the logic and images used for world graphic effects.	Graphics

Stellaris/interface/

Folder	Summary	Guides
*.gfx	Controls the assignment of image to interface variable.	Interfaces
*.gui	Controls the visual logic of an interface.	Interfaces

Stellaris/localisation/

File	Summary	Guides
*l_simp_chinese.yml	Contains Chinese localisation	Localisation
*l_english.yml	Contains English localisation	Localisation
*l_french.yml	Contains French localisation	Localisation
*l_german.yml	Contains German localisation	Localisation
*l_polish.yml	Contains Polish localisation	Localisation
*l_russian.yml	Contains Russian localisation	Localisation
*l_spanish.yml	Contains Spanish localisation	Localisation
*l_braz_por.yml	Contains Brazilian/Portuguese localisation	Localisation

Stellaris/map/

Folder/File	Summary	Guides
galaxy	Contains the galaxy options. You cannot add new ones currently.	Galaxy
setup_scenarios	Controls the logic for different sizes of galaxies.	Galaxy

Stellaris/music/

Folder/File	Summary	Guides
*.ogg	A music file.	Music
songs.asset	Controls the assignment of music to a code name, and sets the volume of playback.	Music
songs.txt		Music

Stellaris/prescripted_countries/

Folder/File	Summary	Guides
*.txt	Contains a pre-scripted setup for a country. Listed on the side ingame.	Galaxies
setup_scenarios	Controls the logic for different sizes of galaxies.	Galaxies

Stellaris/sound/

Folder/File	Summary	Guides
*.asset	Sets up sounds.	Sound
*.wav	A sound file.	Sound

Overwriting specific elements

See also: #Mod load order

Occasionally, it is possible to overwrite a specific game element without needing to replace the entire vanilla file. In some cases adding an element with a similar identifier (id or key) into another file will duplicate that element for the game. But in other cases, the version that comes first (First In, Only Served; FIOS)/last (Last In, Only Served; LIOS) will be used instead. The order in which files are processed is based on ASCIIbetical order of the filenames. If the names are the same, they'll be processed based on the displayed order in the launcher (or loading template). Before patch 2.5 the load order was the reverse-ASCIIbetical order of the mod display name, with vanilla always being first (if it’s at the top of the mod list, it'll be loaded last). Note that if there are multiple mods with the same display name, only the one whose mod file comes first, will be used.

Note that this feature is not documented and thus might be subject to arbitrary changes between versions.

Common folder

Folder	Overwrite			Contents
	Type	Error Log	Notes
achievements
agendas	LIOS	Object key already exists		Agenda definitions and weights.
agreement_presets since v.3.4			Functions are limited/restricted by: diplomatic_actions and game_rules	Subject empire type definitions.
agreement_resources since v.3.4
agreement_term_values since v.3.4	FIOS	Object with key already exists
agreement_terms since v.3.4
ai_budget				What fractions of its resources the AI wants to spend on things.
ai_espionage				None (all content in subfolders)
├───operations
└───spynetworks
ambient_objects				Graphics objects.
anomalies	LIOS	Object key already exists		Anomaly description keys, images, spawn chances and conditions, and event pointers.
archaeological_site_types				Archaeology Site definitions.
armies	LIOS	Object key already exists		Army type definitions.
artifact_actions	LIOS	Object key already exists		Minor Artifact artifact action definitions.
ascension_perks	LIOS	[None] since 3.X	Pre v.3.X: [Error log] Object key already exists	Ascension Perk definitions.
asteroid_belts				Graphics for asteroid belts.
attitudes	LIOS	Object key already exists		AI Attitude definitions.
bombardment_stances	LIOS	Object key already exists		Orbital bombardment type definitions.
buildings	LIOS since 3.3	Object key already exists	Pre v.3.3: Breaks auto-generated modifiers	Building definitions.
button_effects	LIOS	Object key already exists
bypass	LIOS	Object key already exists		Bypass type definitions.
casus_belli	LIOS	Object key already exists		Casus Belli conditions.
colony_automation				How player colonies controlled by automated sector management determine which districts and buildings to build. Each designation has its own script. Not used by AI empires.
colony_automation_categories	LIOS	Object key already exists		Lists the categories of planetary automation that you can select in the planet interface
colony_automation_exceptions				Conditional overrides to automated sector management.
colony_types	LIOS	Object key already exists		Colony Designation definitions.
colors				RGB country and species color sets.
component_sets	FIOS	Object key already exists		Ship component icon and frame assignment.
component_slot_templates				Graphics assignments for weapon slot types.
component_tags				List of referenceable tags assignable to ship components.
component_templates	FIOS	Object key already exists		Ship component definitions.
country_container
country_customization				Which capital building types and robot portraits empires use.
country_limits	LIOS			None (all content in subfolders)
└───ownership_limits	LIOS	Object key already exists		ship_of_size_limits for each country type
└───ship_of_size_limits	LIOS	Object key already exists		Number of ships that can be built based on size_multiplier and naval_cap_div
country_types	LIOS	[None] since 3.X	Pre v.3.X: [Error log] Object key already exists	Rules for empires, enclaves, and other country types.
crisis_levels	LIOS			Become the Crisis ascension perk crisis level definitions.
crisis_objectives	LIOS			Menace rewards for completing  Become the Crisis objectives.
decisions	LIOS	Object key already exists		Decision definitions and AI weights.
defines	LIOS	[none]	The block the define is in must be included as well. E.g.: NGameplay = { POLICY_YEARS = 10 }	Global variables and settings.
deposit_categories				List of orbital deposit and planetary feature categories.
deposits	LIOS	Object key already exists		Orbital deposit, planetary feature, and blocker definitions and drop weights.
diplo_phrases				Diplomatic phrase keys and conditions for diplomatic actions.
diplomatic_economy	LIOS	Object key already exists		Diplomatic agreement costs.
diplomatic_actions	LIOS	Object key already exists		Diplomatic action conditions.
districts	LIOS since 3.3	Object key already exists	Pre v.3.3: Breaks auto-generated modifiers	District definitions.
dynamic_text
economic_categories	LIOS	Object key already exists		Definitions and modifier generation for economic categories used by resource blocks and AI budgets. Includes job categories and subcategories which determine which modifiers apply to which jobs
economic_plans				AI empire resource income goals.
edicts	LIOS	Object key already exists		Edict definitions and AI weights.
espionage_assets	LIOS		Entire override : PASS	infiltration Espionage asset definitions.
espionage_operation_categories				infiltration List of espionage operation and intel categories.
espionage_operation_types	LIOS		Entire override : PASS	infiltration Espionage operation definitions.
ethics	LIOS	[none]	Might break "selected ethic" graphic if too many Ethics; WARNING: Due to new multiple ethics files, the auto-generated file will randomly break off as some empires have no ethics when randomly generated. So entire overwrite is suggested.	Empire ethic definitions and ethic attraction modifiers.
event_chains	FIOS	[none]		Event chain image assignment and referenceable counters.
fallen_empires				Fallen empire definitions.
federation_law_categories				Federation law category assignment.
federation_laws				Federation law definitions and AI weights.
federation_perks				Federation perk definitions.
federation_types				Federation type definitions.
first_contact				First contact progression definitions.
galactic_community_actions				Costs to perform special galactic community actions.
galactic_focuses				Galactic focus definitions.
game_rules	LIOS	[none]		Tooltip generating conditions.
global_ship_designs	FIOS	A ship design already exists		Premade ship designs.
governments	LIOS	Object key already exists		Government type conditions, ruler titles, and election candidate weights.
├───authorities	LIOS	Object key already exists	Specific override is impossible. Entries override ONLY.	Authority definitions.
└───civics	LIOS	Object key already exists		Civic and origin definitions.
graphical_culture				Graphics info for ship skins.
greeting_overlay_sounds
inline_scripts since v.3.5				Inline scripts.
intel_categories				Which information is revealed by specific intel category levels.
intel_levels				Assigns intel category levels to intel level.
lawsuits				Unused
leader_classes	LIOS	Object key already exists		Leader type definitions.
mandates	LIOS	Object key already exists		Mandate definitions.
map_modes	LIOS	Object key already exists		Map mode definitions.
megastructures	LIOS	Object key already exists		Megastructure definitions.
menace_perks				Become the Crisis perk definitions.
message_types				Alert message icon definitions.
name_lists				Sets of random names for ships, fleets, armies, planets, and leaders.
notification_modifiers
observation_station_missions	DUPL/LIOS		Entire override ONLY.	Observation post mission definitions and AI weights.
on_actions	NO/MERGE	[none]	Cannot modify existing entries; new entries will be merged with the existing entry with the same NAME={}. Load order is top first.	Assigns events to be triggered when certain game actions happen.
opinion_modifiers	DUPL/LIOS	[none]	add_opinion_modifier is LIOS	Opinion modifiers and conditions.
personalities	LIOS	Object key already exists		AI Personality definitions and weights.
planet_classes	DUPL/LIOS	[none]	DUPL – breaks habitability modifiers if individually overwritten.	Celestial body graphics and definitions.
planet_modifiers	LIOS	Object key already exists		Random planet modifier spawn chances.
policies	LIOS	Object key already exists	Existing Object key can be override with NAME = {}	Policy definitions and AI weights.
pop_categories	LIOS	Object key already exists		Pop category type definitions.
pop_faction_types	LIOS	Object key already exists		Faction demands, join conditions, attraction modifiers, and actions.
pop_jobs	LIOS since 3.3	Object key already exists	Pre v.3.3: [Type] NO – Breaks auto-generated modifiers if overwriting a specific job and not the whole file.	Job definitions and auto-assignment weights.
precursor_civilizations				List of Precursor civilizations and conditions.
random_names				Components for randomly generated Empire, Federation, Faction, First Contact, and War names.
└───base				Lists of celestial object names and randomly generated species name affixes.
relics	NO	Object with key already exists		Relic definitions and AI triumph weights.
resolution_categories				Defines which category individual resolutions are in and the category icon.
resolution_groups	LIOS	Object with key already exists		Assigns frames and text colors to resolution categories.
resolutions	LIOS	Object with key already exists		Resolution definitions and AI weights.
script_values				Dynamically calculated referenceable value.
scripted_effects	LIOS	Object key already exists		Scripted effects.
scripted_loc				Dynamic localization.
scripted_triggers	LIOS	Object key already exists		Boolean trigger conditions.
scripted_variables	FIOS	Variable name taken		Global variables.
section_templates	NO DUPL/FIOS	Duplicate section template found. Multiple sections are named …	Warning: existing can't be overwritten, used ships/starbases will get deleted.	Ship section definitions.
sector_focuses	LIOS	Object key already exists		Sector automation construction weights.
sector_types				Sector definitions.
ship_behaviors	FIOS	Behavior name already exists		Ship AI.
ship_sizes	LIOS	Object key already exists		Ship chassis definitions, including  Starbases and spaceborne aliens.
situations				Situation definitions.
solar_system_initializers	FIOS	Initializer already exists		Predefined solar systems, some including country, colony, and/or fleet generation.
special_projects	FIOS	Object key already exists		Special project definitions.
species_archetypes	LIOS since 3.3	Object key already exists	Pre v.3.3: Breaks auto-generated modifiers.	Assigns  Trait Points and Trait sets to Species archetypes.
species_classes	LIOS	Object key already exists		Assigns portraits, species archetype, and graphical culture to species classes.
species_names				Lists for randomly generating species names.
species_rights	LIOS	Object key already exists	Effect tooltips are independent of the effects.	Species rights definitions and AI weights.
star_classes	FIOS			Spawn odds and planet generation rules and environmental hazards based on the central star or star set.
starbase_buildings	LIOS	Object key already exists		Starbase building definitions and AI weight modifiers.
starbase_levels	LIOS	Object key already exists		Starbase chassis definitions.
starbase_modules	LIOS	Object key already exists		Starbase module definitions.
starbase_types	LIOS	Object key already exists		Starbase designation conditions, AI ratios, and AI buildings & module weights.
start_screen_messages	FIOS	[none]	The first valid part for each location will be used and the rest discarded without issue.	Localization keys and conditions used to assemble the game start message.
static_modifiers	FIOS	[none]		Modifier definitions.
strategic_resources	FIOS	[none]		All resource definitions.
subjects	LIOS	[None] - REMOVED in v.3.4, s. agreement_presets	Functions are limited/restricted by: diplomatic_actions and game_rules	Subject empire type definitions.
system tooltips				Tooltips displayed when hovering over a system.
system_types	LIOS	Object key already exists		System designation type conditions and weights.
technology	LIOS*	Duplicate technology: [tech]	LIOS overrides mostly still work despite the DUPL-type error entry. However, if the overwriting tech lacks a "potential" block, it will inherit the "potential" block from the overwritten tech.	Technology definitions, drop weights, and AI weights.
├───category				List of research categories and icon assignments.
└───tier	LIOS			List of technology tiers. Defines number of previous tier tech requirements.
terraform	DUPL	[none]		Terraforming costs and conditions for every valid planet type pair.
trade_conversions	LIOS	Object key already exists		Trade Policy definitions.
tradition_categories	LIOS	Object key already exists		Tradition tree definitions and AI weights.
traditions	LIOS	Object key already exists	Effect tooltips are independent of the effects.	Individual tradition definitions, including adoption and finisher effects.
traits	DUPL/NO	[none]	Entire override ONLY.	Leader trait and species trait definitions.
war_goals	LIOS	Object key already exists		War goal definitions, conditions, and AI weights.

FIOS – First in, only served.

LIOS – Last in, only served

DUPL – Duplicates

NO – Cannot individually overwrite

Please note that not everything could be tested extensively.

Localisation folder

Localisation is likely LIOS

A guide for overwriting localisation can be found here.

Events folder

Events are treated as FIOS

Interface folder

Interface is likely LIOS

Fonts folder

Fonts is likely FIOS

Tools & utilities

Tools

• Notepad++ – Powerful editor to change files.
• WinMerge – Contrasts the difference between two text files. Useful for updating mods.
• VSCodium – Powerful, hackable, free open source editor. Use with CWTools extension, powerful syntax checker for Paradox games.
• VS Code – Powerful, hackable, free editor from Microsoft (based on open source code). Use with CWTools extension, powerful syntax checker for Paradox games.
• Maya exporter – Clausewitz Maya Exporter to create your own 3D models.
• Spaceship Generator – A Blender script to procedurally generate 3D spaceships
• paint.net – Freeware software for digital photo editing
• Irony Mod Manager – Mod Manager with conflict solver for Paradox Games
• Stellaris Galaxy Generator – by BlackPhoenix134 (preview)
• Static Galaxy Generator – A static galaxy generator and editor for your mods. (How to use)
• Sublime Text – Powerful, moddable, hackable text editor. Install packages as your needs evolve.
• Random Empire Generator – by u/MarinusWA0.
• List of Stellaris triggers, modifiers and effects – for most game versions since launch, includes compare between Stellaris patches GitHub feature.

Help links

• Steam Workshop – The place for where you can share your creations with other players.
• The Stellaris Modding Den – the central modding discord for Stellaris.
• Stellaris Modding Subreddit
• Paradox Graphics – A Comprehensive Guide – In-depth documentation for preparing 3d models for Clausewitz engine games like Stellaris.

Advanced tips

• For the bigger mods using a source control management tool (Git, …), it is handy to create a symbolic link between Stellaris mod folder and the working directory of the local repository, especially if the mod also has sub-mods. Note that you'll still need to copy the .mod file(s) manually, but they rarely change. Run the following command from the parent directory of main git folder, replacing:
  • <mod_path_name> by the value of path attribute from .mod file
  • <git_mod_folder> by the name of the sub-folder that contain mod data (folders common, decisions, events, etc…)

mklink /J "%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Stellaris\mod\<mod_path_name>" ".\<git_mod_folder>"

Testing Mods

Certain, more obscure Console commands (that don't show up if you type 'help' in the console) are extremely useful in the process of testing a mod and more specific alterations.

• observe – switches you to Observer Mode. You will no longer play as any specific character – this will allow the game to run for a long period of time, uninterrupted. It also makes every invisible trait and secret religion visible.
• run <filename.txt> – runs script in a txt file located in the in the Documents install directory. It will be executed from the player’s scope. Useful for testing tricky scripts – you can just have the script open in a different window, run it, tweak the script, save it, and run it again – it will be recompiled every time.
• reloadevents – reloads and recompiles every single event (may take a while depending on your hardware). Useful if you want to tweak an entire event or chain of events without rebooting the game every time. not yet implemented
• reloadlocreload text – reloads the entire localisation table. Useful if you spot a typo while testing your mod, or if you are trying to fit as much text in an event frame as possible.

Troubleshooting mod installation

Multiplayer requires same mod list and load order for all players.

Try reload mods button in launcher. All installed mods > Reload installed mods.

Check if non-ASCII characters exist in the address of the mod folder.

Verify integrity of Stellaris installation files (for Steam right click on Stellaris > Properties > Local files > Verify). Warning: Verification tool does not check for any additional files put into the installation folder, and those might still alter the checksum. Check patch notes and compare your unmodded game (vanilla) with reference checksum.

Make sure your antivirus is not blocking the launcher. It might do so silently without a warning.

Check if your OneDrive ran out space or is disconnected if you are using it (you might not know that you are).

If you have a mod both as a local and as a workshop subscription game will refuse to load it. Remove or move one, including root Stellaris/mod/.mod file

Delete Paradox Launcher database files as they might be corrupted (backup first):

1. Do the steps on point 5 at #Purging all mods.
2. In the Paradox Launcher use Mods > Reload installed mods.

If you are using Irony Mod Manager do not fire Conflict Solver unless you intend to use it. Conflict Solver creates list of conflicts and generates overwrites for each one based on your load order. So if you change mod composition of a collection or load order you have to rerun conflict solver each time (alternatively delete patch folder in /Stellaris/mod/) You can purge Irony settings stored in .roaming/Mario/ if you ever need to.

Purging all mods

This will reset your mod settings completely (nuclear option!):

1. Quit Stellaris and Stellaris (Paradox) Launcher
2. Unsubscribe from all mods. Stellaris Workshop -> Your files (under your avatar) -> Subscribed items – > Unsubscribe From All .
3. Quit Steam
4. Go to SteamLibrary\steamapps\workshop\content\281990 and delete everything.
5. Go to the Stellaris settings folder (one above the mod folder) and delete the following files (some of these might not be present in the actual version):
   • dlc_load.json
   • game_data.json (only pre 2.8 launcher)
   • mods_registry.json (only pre 2.8 launcher)
   • launcher-v2.sqlite (since 2.8 beta launcher)
   • in settings.txt everything inside last_mods={ }
6. Restart Steam.
7. Open Paradox launcher.
8. Close Paradox launcher.
9. Resubscribe to your mods.
10. WAIT UNTIL ALL DOWNLOADS ARE DONE. DO NOT START PARADOX LAUNCHER UNTIL DOWNLOADS ARE COMPLETE.
11. Start Paradox Launcher.
12. Close Paradox launcher.

Mod load order

Ordering mods incorrectly can lead to problems in game. Mods that edit the same game files will conflict. The following section will give general tips on load order and a general load order guide. Ordering mods correctly will reduce problems, but is not guaranteed to fix all problems.

General Tips

1. Mods at the top of the list are loaded first, mods lower down will overwrite.
2. Try to build a mod list around one or two large mods. Large mod examples are Gigastructural Engineering, ACOT, ZOFE, NSC, ESC, etc. Trying to make a mod pack function with many large mods requires advanced modding abilities such as custom coding/scripting. Load order correctness will only go so far.
3. Mods can be ordered in two ways.
   • Irony Mod Manager (IMM): In IMM mods can be ordered in the right hand Collection Mods panel. Mods can be moved by clicking and holding the left mouse button while dragging the mod up or down the list. A mod can also be moved by editing their order number, or moved to first/last position or moved up or down by one position using the arrow icons to the left and right of the mod number. Once ordering is done click apply.
   • Paradox Launcher: Similar to IMM you can drag a mod up or down, or renumber the mod to change its order.
4. Mods beginning with ~ go at the very top of the list.
5. Mods beginning with ! go to the very bottom (some exceptions).
6. The more ! a mod has the further down it goes (a !! mod will be below a ! mod).
7. Mods that resolve conflicts (patch mods) between 2 or more mods go anywhere below the mods they patch. A section after all your normal mods is probably better for organization and visualization.
8. Mods that are submods go below the main mod. For example, Planetary Diversity would be higher in the load order, and the sub modules (such as Planetary Diversity – Exotic Worlds) go below Planetary Diversity main mod.

General Order

• Sort mods z to a – then move the mods around using the below list as a guide.
• The list is comprised of mod type categories. A mod category higher in the list has lower priority and will be overwritten by conflicting mods lower in the list. The numbers in the list do not indicate priority. For example, the mod category Unofficial patches is position 1. AI mods are position 2. AI mods are lower in the list, and as such will overwrite Unofficial patches if there is a conflict.
• Examples of mods that belong to a category will be given in brackets. The order of the mods in the bracket has nothing to do with load order, they are only examples of types of mods.

1. Unofficial patches always go at the very top (Ariphaos Unofficial Patch, Community Patch) (note that community flash patch reverts ariphaos fixes in a number of places. If not patching with Irony Conflict solver, don't use community patch.)
2. AI mods, which includes mods that edit AI economies (Starnet, Galvius, Better Ultimate Economic Plan, etc.)
   • It is highly inadvisable to use more than one AI mod, unless you know what you are doing.
3. Map generation mods (More Natural Looking Galaxies)
4. Prerequisite mods (Guillis Planetary Modifiers, Amazing Space Battles, SLEX)
5. Music mods (Space Ambient Music)
6. Namelist mods (Just Star Names, Lithoid Namelist)
7. Species mods (new species and edits to existing ones, such as Trace’s Better Necroids)
8. Trait and leader mods (Trait Diversity, Merged Leader Levels)
9. Content addition mods (Generally these are mods that add extra content to the game such as origins, events, archeology, stories. Examples include Precursor Story Pack, Origins Extended, More Events Mod)
10. Flag/Emblem mods (Just More Flags, StarClan Emblems)
11. Room/background mods (Diverse Rooms, Backgrounds Collection)
12. Cityscape mods (Collection of Cities, Interesting Cities)
13. Federation/Vassal mods (Exalted Domination – Vassals and Tributaries, Federation Expanded)
14. General gameplay mods that don't fit anywhere else (jump Gates, L-Cluster Access, Invasion! SA)
15. Shipset mods (Dark Necroid Ships, NSC and NSC submods. Put NSC below all other shipset mods)
16. Technology mods (Examples are Gigastructural Engineering, ACOT, ZOFE, Upper Limits, Technology Ascendant, Extra Ship Components (ESC) (if using ACOT and ZOFE, make sure to place the mod Acquisition of Technology (ACT) below them, and place ESC below ACOT, ZOFE and ACT)
17. Space affecting mods (Real space, Immersive Galaxy)
18. UI Overhaul mods (UI Overhaul Dynamic (UIOD), Tiny Ship Components)
19. Planetary Diversity and its submods
20. Tradition and ascension perk mods (Plentiful traditions, Expanded Stellaris Ascension Perks. These should go below UIOD but above their UIOD Patches)
21. Ethics & Civics mods (Ethics and Civics Redux, Civics Expanded – These should go below UIOD but above their UIOD Patches)
22. UIOD Overrides (Dark Blue UI Overhaul, Immersive Beautiful Stellaris/Universe)
23. Fix and tweak mods (Aggressive Crisis Engine, Necroids Bug Fix, Reduce Aura Graphics, Diplomacy Adjustments)
24. Patch mods (UIOD Patches, !Patch ESC Combined Ships in Scaling Lite, !Patch – Cubemap Fix, !!Universal Modifiers Patch, ! The Merger of Rules)
    • There are two types of patch mods. First are patch mods that resolve conflicts between several mods, for example Real Space (1) System Scale (2) Gigastructural Engineering (3) Patch.
    • Next, there are omnibus/general patch mods. These mods change game behaviour to account for many mods, for example The Merger of Rules, Universal Resource Patch.
    • Place omnibus/general patch mods BELOW patch mods that resolve conflicts for a few mods.

External links

• Stellaris Dev Diary #31: Modding (Scripting Anomalies)
• Stellaris Dev Diary #32: Modding art
• Stellaris Dev Diary #182: The Perils of Scripting and How to Avoid Them
• Stellaris Dev Diary #204: Scripting Language and Moddability Improvements
• Stellaris Dev Diary #240: Scripting Improvements in 3.3

See also

• Mods

References

Modding

Pops	Jobs • Factions

Leaders

Leaders • Leader traits

Species

Species • Species traits

Land Warfare

Armies • Bombardment stance