01
Subscribe and enable
- Subscribe on the Workshop page
Steam downloads it automatically once you subscribe from the game's Workshop hub.
- Confirm it's enabled in game
Most shop sims expose a mod list on the main menu or new-game screen. Restart once after your first subscription so the list refreshes.
- Test on a throwaway save
Load a test run before applying anything to the save you care about.
- Removing is the reverse
Unsubscribe, restart. If the mod touched save data, back up first.
Risk
Mods can change prices, spawn tables and UI. When verifying guide figures such as the rent increase, disable everything first.
02
Three kinds of mods
| Type | Typical content | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Quality of life | Faster panels, batch actions, UI layout | Safest; usually no balance change |
| Balance tweaks | Rent growth, margins, production speed | Reshapes the economy; guides stop applying |
| Content packs | New items, specializations, events | Can conflict with inspections or achievements |
We don't name unverified mods. The Workshop list churns in launch week, so recommendations are added to patch watch only once they're reproducible and error-free.
03
Troubleshooting checklist
- Game won't boot / black screen: unsubscribe the most recent mod, then bisect.
- Numbers look wrong: check you aren't running two mods that edit the same value.
- Achievements not unlocking: some mods disable them; run a clean save for achievements.
- Save behaves oddly: mods that touch save structure can corrupt on exit. Test on a separate save.
Back up
Copy your save folder before installing any balance or content mod. The launch build has no version rollback.